NOTE: This guide was last updated in June 2025. Please check the authenticity and validity of the information on this website before proceeding with your visa application. Use Timatic and the official sources on this page for the most up-to-date information.

The United Arab Emirates is a Middle Eastern wonderland known for its modern lifestyle and attractive opportunities. Currently, the country is drawing more and more people from all around the world. If you also want to travel to the United Arab Emirates and experience the luxury in its place, you are in the right place! This UAE visa guide will tell you all about the country's visa policy.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to the United Arab Emirates?

Whether you need a visa to travel to the United Arab Emirates greatly depends on your nationality and passport. You can use the Timatic to check your visa requirements.

Did You Book a Flight to the United Arab Emirates?

Have you booked your flight to the UAE? It might be the perfect time to do it!

Thanks to Pegasus Airlines' cheap flight tickets, traveling to the United Arab Emirates is more affordable than ever. All you must do is use our booking page to secure your flight and start preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime journey.

We are also determined to help you with your itinerary. You can use our United Arab Emirates travel guide for a comprehensive guide to the country. These guides might also interest you:

• Dubai Travel Guide
• Abu Dhabi Travel Guide
• Sharjah Travel Guide

Plus, you can use our hotel reservation page to sort out your accommodation right away.

UAE Visa Types

Travelers to the United Arab Emirates can apply for a variety of visas, depending on their purpose of visit. The most common visa types, on the other hand, are:

• Visit Visa: Visitors who want to travel to the United Arab Emirates for tourism purposes can apply for this visa type. A Visit Visa allows its holder to stay within the UAE for a certain period of time. It must be noted that this visa does not permit one to work or carry out any gainful activities.
• Work Visa: Employees who are hired by a company in the UAE can apply for a Work Visa. Those who hold a UAE Work Visa can stay within the country as long as they are employed and receive residency.
• Green Visa: A Green Visa is a 5-year skilled worker visa that is issued to freelancers, investors, and professionals. With this visa, you can travel to the UAE without a sponsoring employer.

General Requirements to Apply for the United Arab Emirates Visa

Some of the main requirements to apply for the United Arab Emirates visa are:

• Colour copy of travel document or passport
• Colour photo of the applicant
• Completed application form
• Proof of accommodation (confirmed hotel reservation or, if staying with a host, valid tenancy contract with a family member's name)
• Proof of round-trip flight ticket reservation
• Proof of relationship (if visiting family)

Remember that you might be asked to submit further documentation, depending on your purpose of visit and the type of visa you are applying to.

Step-by-Step UAE Visa Application

You can easily apply for a UAE visa in five simple steps:

1. Login to the smart services system,
2. Search for the required service,
3. Fill out the application information,
4. Pay the service fees,
5. Wait for approval.

UAE Visa Rules

There are certain UAE visa rules you must know:

• Visa processing typically takes 3 to 4 working days,
• Additional documents or visa processing fees may be required by UAE authorities,
• All visas (except 96-hour and 48-hour visas) are valid for entry for 60 days from the date of issue,
• Entry into the UAE is subject to immigration approval and is not guaranteed even with a valid visa,
• The sponsor or applicant is responsible for any overstay and related fines.

UAE Visa Requirements

Visa requirements for the UAE vary based on nationality due to agreements with various countries. Below, you can find detailed information about the UAE visa requirements for nationals of different countries.

UAE Visa Requirements for Schengen Countries

Citizens of Schengen member states can usually travel to the UAE for a period of 180 days.

UAE Visa Requirements for the US, UK, and Canada

Nationals of Canada can also enjoy traveling to the UAE without a visa for their stays up to 180 days. For the USA and the UK, on the other hand, this visa-free period is 30 days.

UAE Visa Requirements for Non-Europeans

Although visa requirements for non-European countries differ significantly, citizens of most African and Asian countries need a visa to travel to the UAE.

UAE Visa Fees

The United Arab Emirates has fixed visa fee rates:

Remember that additional fees might be charged during the application process.

Since visa fees tend to change over time, check the official visa pages for the most up-to-date information.

You can check the visa requirements for your trip to Iran by visiting the Timatic and the official page of Government of Dubai.

Sources:

https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/

https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f9e586fe-0642-11ec-0320-0050569629e8

https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/72f0054f-668b-11e8-78de-0cc47ada4ec1

https://www.emirates.com/at/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/