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Dubai visit visa: tourist, family, and business
A Dubai visit visa is a short stay e-visa that lets Indian travellers enter the United Arab Emirates for tourism, business, or to visit family and friends. It comes in 30, 60, and 90 day single or multiple-entry options. Some travellers qualify for a 14-day visa on arrival instead. A border officer decides entry.
Data current as of June 2026
Apply online for 30, 60, or 90 days, single or multiple entry, before you fly.
A 14-day stamp at the airport if you hold a qualifying US, UK, or EU visa or permit.
A UAE resident, hotel, airline, or company sponsors your visit visa.
What the Dubai visit visa covers
A Dubai visit visa, issued as an electronic visa, lets Indian travellers come to the United Arab Emirates for a short stay. One visa family covers many purposes across all seven emirates.
It covers tourism and sightseeing, visiting family or friends, business meetings and conferences, and short personal trips. The main tourist options are 30, 60, and 90 day visas, each available as single or multiple entry, and there is a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa for frequent visitors. The visa is emailed to you, so there is no consulate interview and no passport stamping in advance for a tourist visa.
The visit visa does not allow paid employment in the UAE or a long study program, which need a separate permit. There is one shortcut worth checking first: Indian travellers who already hold a valid US, UK, or EU visa or residence permit, or a residence permit from certain other countries, can get a 14-day visa on arrival without applying ahead. This page is a full guide: the visa on arrival rule, the options, the costs, the documents, the ICP and GDRFA process, and what to do before and during your visit.
Do you even need to apply in advance?
Before you apply for an e-visa, check the visa on arrival rule. It decides whether you can simply land in the UAE or should apply online before you travel.
You may skip the online application
Since 7 January 2024, an Indian normal passport holder can get a single-entry 14-day visa on arrival if the passport is valid for at least six months and you also hold one of:
- A valid visa or residence permit from the US, the UK, or the EU.
- A valid residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, or Singapore.
- A US Green Card.
The foreign visa or permit must be unexpired. The 14-day stay can be extended once for a further 14 days.
You apply for an e-visa before you fly
If you do not hold a qualifying foreign visa or permit, you apply for a UAE tourist e-visa in advance and choose:
- A duration: 30, 60, or 90 days from entry.
- An entry type: single or multiple entry.
- A channel: ICP, GDRFA Dubai, an airline, a hotel, or a licensed agent.
The approved e-visa is emailed to you, usually in about 3 to 5 working days. Print it before you travel.
Not sure which route is yours?
A short eligibility check tells you whether you qualify for the 14-day visa on arrival or should apply for an e-visa, and which duration fits your trip.
Two portals, one country: ICP and GDRFA
The UAE runs its visas through two official channels. Knowing which one handles your application saves time and confusion.
For most Indian tourists applying for a standard e-visa, the practical route is the ICP smart services portal or app, an airline such as Emirates or flydubai when you book with them, or a licensed agent. When a relative or company in Dubai sponsors you, the application usually goes through GDRFA. Either way, the approved visa arrives by email and you carry a printed copy to the airport.
What you can come to Dubai for
The visit visa family covers several purposes. You choose the duration and entry type that match your plan, and add a sponsor only where the visa type needs one.
Tourism and leisure most common
Holidays, sightseeing, and short personal travel: the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, a desert safari, the Jumeirah beaches, and day trips to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. A 30, 60, or 90 day tourist e-visa fits most trips, and you carry your passport, photo, and return ticket.
Visiting family or friends sponsor option
A relative or friend who is a UAE resident can sponsor your visit through ICP or GDRFA, showing a minimum monthly salary and proof of relationship. You can also travel on a standard tourist visa without a sponsor if you prefer.
Business and conferences
Meetings, conferences, trade fairs, and corporate visits across the UAE. You can travel for business but cannot take paid employment. A company can sponsor a business visit, or you can use a tourist visa, with an invitation letter strengthening the file.
Events, festivals, and short courses
The UAE has visit visa routes for delegates and attendees of conferences, exhibitions, and festivals, and you may take a short non-degree course. A long study program needs a student visa instead.
Frequent travel, the five-year visa
A five-year multiple-entry tourist visa lets you enter the UAE repeatedly over five years, with each stay limited to 90 days and a yearly cap. It suits frequent visitors and families with relatives in the UAE. It is a visit visa, not a residence visa.
Dubai visit visa options at a glance
Durations and entry types for the main visit visa routes. Government fees are set by the UAE authorities, vary by channel, and can change, so confirm the current amount when you apply.
| Visa type | Stay | Entry | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival | 14 days, extendable once by 14 | Single | Eligible holders of a US, UK, or EU visa or permit |
| 30-day tourist e-visa | 30 days from entry | Single or Multiple | Short holidays and city breaks |
| 60-day tourist e-visa | 60 days from entry | Single or Multiple | Longer stays and family visits |
| 90-day tourist e-visa | up to 90 days | Single or Multiple | Extended trips, business, multi-emirate travel |
| Sponsored visit visa | 30, 60, or 90 days | Single or Multiple | Visits hosted by a UAE resident or company |
| Five-year tourist visa | 90 days per visit, yearly cap | Multiple | Frequent visitors over five years |
A tourist visa can allow a continuous stay of up to 90 days, extendable by the authority, provided the total does not exceed 180 days within a single year. Most UAE visas are valid to enter within 60 days of issue, so plan your travel dates accordingly.
Documents for a Dubai visit visa
A tourist e-visa needs a light document set. A sponsored family or business visit adds the host paperwork. Quality matters: a clear scan and matching details prevent most delays.
| Document | Tourist e-visa | Sponsored visit |
|---|---|---|
| Passport valid at least six months, clear photo-page scan | Required | Required |
| Recent passport-size colour photo, white background | Required | Required |
| Confirmed return flight booking | Recommended | Recommended |
| Hotel booking or accommodation proof | Recommended | If not staying with host |
| Bank statements or funds proof | Sometimes asked | Sometimes asked |
| Sponsor or host passport and UAE residence proof | Not needed | Required |
| Sponsor salary proof and relationship document | Not needed | Required |
| Invitation or company letter | Not needed | For business visits |
A sponsor in the UAE generally needs a minimum monthly salary of about AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends, with proof of kinship. Requirements differ by emirate and visa type, so confirm the current list before you apply.
Fees and what affects the cost
The total cost depends on the visa duration, the entry type, the channel you use, and any service or sponsor charges. Government fees are set by the UAE and can change.
| Cost item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Government visa fee | Rises with duration and with multiple entry. A 30-day single-entry visa is the cheapest tourist option, a 90-day multiple-entry the most expensive. |
| VAT | 5 percent value added tax applies on top of the government fee. |
| Security deposit | Some sponsored or longer visa types ask for a refundable deposit, returned after a clean exit. |
| Visa on arrival fee | Paid at the airport counter on arrival, for eligible travellers only. |
| Service or agent charge | Airlines, hotels, agents, and typing centres add their own service fee. |
| Extension fee | Extending from inside the UAE carries a separate fee per renewal. |
Government fees are non-refundable even if an application is refused. The visa on arrival is paid at the airport. Always confirm the current government fee on the ICP or GDRFA portal before you pay, since published figures vary by source and change over time.
Before you apply
A little planning keeps your application clean and your trip on schedule.
Apply at least two weeks before travel, with a clear passport scan, a matching photo, and your return ticket ready.
Most tourist e-visas are issued in about 3 to 5 working days, but busy periods and document gaps cause delays. Check the visa on arrival rule first, since it may save you the online application entirely. These are estimates, not guarantees.
How to apply, step by step
The Dubai visit visa is an online process. Here is the route from checking your eligibility to landing in the UAE.
Check arrival rule
See if a qualifying US, UK, or EU visa or permit gives you a 14-day visa on arrival.
Choose your visa
Pick a 30, 60, or 90 day single or multiple-entry visa, or a sponsored visit.
Pick the portal
Use ICP for most emirates, GDRFA for a Dubai sponsor, or an airline, hotel, or agent.
Upload and pay
Add your passport scan and photo, any sponsor file, and pay the government fee online.
Get your e-visa
The visa is emailed in about 3 to 5 working days. Print it before you fly.
Enter the UAE
Show your printed e-visa at immigration. A border officer makes the final decision.
We handle the right portal for you
From the eligibility check to the correct ICP or GDRFA channel, we prepare and lodge your Dubai visit visa so nothing is missed.
Dos and donts for a Dubai visit visa
Most refusals and fines come from avoidable mistakes. These habits keep your application and your stay trouble-free.
Do Set yourself up to succeed
- Check the visa on arrival rule before you apply online.
- Choose the right duration and entry type for your trip.
- Give a clear passport scan and a matching recent photo.
- Make sure every detail matches across your documents.
- Apply at least two weeks ahead and print your e-visa.
- Respect UAE laws, customs rules, and your stay limit.
Dont Avoid these mistakes
- Do not overstay; fines start at AED 50 a day with no grace period.
- Do not take paid work on a visit visa.
- Do not give false information or hide a past refusal or fine.
- Do not assume a single-entry visa lets you re-enter after leaving.
- Do not travel on a passport with under six months validity.
- Do not leave an unpaid overstay fine before reapplying.
What you can do once you arrive
A visit visa lets you enjoy the UAE freely within your days and conditions.
As a visitor you can travel and sightsee across Dubai and the other emirates, visit family and friends, attend meetings, conferences, and events, take a short course, and enjoy leisure activities, all within the stay your visa allows. You can move between emirates without a separate visa.
You cannot take up paid employment or study long term on a visit visa, and you must respect local laws, your visa conditions, and your stay limit. A job needs a work permit and residence visa arranged by an employer, and a degree program needs a student visa. Keep your e-visa and passport with you, and note your last day of legal stay so you can extend or leave in time.
Stay limits, extensions, and overstays
The headline rules that decide how long you can stay and what happens if you go over.
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Stay length | Set by your visa: 14 days on arrival, or 30, 60, or 90 days for a tourist e-visa. |
| 90 in a stretch | A tourist visa can allow up to 90 continuous days, extendable, with a total not over 180 days in a year. |
| Extension | Many 30 and 60 day visas can be extended from inside the UAE through ICP since late 2025. The visa on arrival extends once by 14 days. |
| Single vs multiple entry | A single-entry visa ends once you leave the UAE. A multiple-entry visa lets you re-enter during its validity. |
| Overstay fine | AED 50 for each day past expiry, from the day after your visa ends, with the old grace period removed in 2025. |
| Validity to enter | Most UAE visas must be used to enter within 60 days of issue. |
Rules and fees are set by the UAE authorities and can change. Confirm the current position on the ICP or GDRFA portal before you travel.
Why visit visas are refused, and what to do
Most UAE refusals come from fixable problems, so a clean second application often succeeds.
Common reasons include an unclear passport scan or photo, a name or detail mismatch, a passport with less than six months validity, an incomplete sponsor file, a previous overstay or an unpaid fine, or a past immigration issue in the UAE. A weak or inconsistent application can also be questioned at the border even after a visa is issued.
If your application is refused, find out the reason, fix the problem, clear any outstanding fine, and reapply with a stronger, complete file. Many applicants succeed on a better-prepared second attempt. Meeting the eligibility criteria improves your chances, but approval is never guaranteed and the final decision rests with the UAE authorities. BestMigrationConsultant.com reviews the reason and helps you strengthen your Dubai visit visa application.
Start your Dubai visit visa the right way
We confirm your route, choose the right visa, prepare your documents, and lodge on the correct ICP or GDRFA channel. One free assessment gets you moving.
Dubai visit visa: frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the questions Indian travellers ask most about visiting Dubai and the UAE.