The UAE offers 13 visa types in 2026: Tourist Visa, Visa on Arrival, Transit Visa, Visit Visa, Employment Visa, Green Visa (5-year self-sponsored), Golden Visa (10-year), Blue Visa (10-year environmental), Remote Work Visa, Student Visa, Job Seeker Visa, Retirement Visa, and Family/Dependent Visa. All fees are in AED, governed by ICP/GDRFA, and the application process is handled by authorised visa sponsors.
Planning a trip, starting a new job, or relocating your family to the UAE? The right visa type determines your stay duration, work rights, family sponsorship ability, and renewal options. This guide covers every current UAE visa category with official AED fees, eligibility criteria, and application steps — sourced directly from ICP and GDRFA.
UAE Visa Types 2026 — Complete Overview
All fees are in AED (UAE Dirham). VAT at 5% applies to most categories. *Visa on Arrival: 90-day cumulative limit within 180 days.
Source: Fees from official ICP and GDRFA schedules, May 2026. Exclude third-party agent charges.
UAE Tourist Visa
The tourist visa is the standard pre-arranged entry document for visitors coming to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or any UAE emirate for leisure or short-term activity. It is applied for online before travel and sent by email as an e-visa.
Options & Fees
- 30-Day Tourist Visa (single entry) — AED 200 + 5% VAT = AED 210 total
- 60-Day Tourist Visa (single entry) — AED 300 + VAT = AED 315 total
- 60-Day Tourist Visa (multiple entry) — AED 650 + VAT = AED 683 total
- 5-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa — AED 1,800 + VAT (up to 90 days per visit)
Requirements
- Passport valid for 6+ months beyond intended stay
- Passport-sized photograph (white background)
- Confirmed return or onward flight ticket
- Hotel booking or accommodation proof
- Bank statement showing sufficient funds (last 3 months)
How to Apply
- ICP Smart Services: icp.gov.ae (all emirates except Dubai)
- GDRFA Smart Services: gdrfad.gov.ae (Dubai-issued visas)
- UAE airlines: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia
- Licensed UAE visa service agency like Emirates Visa (verify DTCM or ICA authorisation)
- Processing time: 3–5 working days (standard) or 24–48 hours (express, additional fee).
Extension: Tourist visas can be extended once online for the same duration. Fee: AED 600 + VAT (AED 630). Apply at least 3 days before expiry — no grace period applies.
UAE Visa on Arrival
Citizens of over 70 countries receive a free visa on arrival at any UAE border point — no advance application needed. Eligible nationalities include the USA, UK, all EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and most GCC countries.
Duration: Up to 90 days cumulative within any 180-day period from first entry
Cost: Free — no fee for eligible nationalities
Issued at: All UAE airports, land borders, and sea ports
Extendable: No — the VOA cannot be extended
Cumulative rule: The 90-day limit is cumulative, not per trip. If you enter for 30 days, leave, and return, your remaining allowance is 60 days — not a fresh 90 days. Track your days to avoid overstay fines.
UAE Transit Visa
For travelers with a UAE layover who want to exit the terminal. Pure airside transits under 4 hours need no visa.
- 48-Hour Transit: Free — via Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia with confirmed onward ticket
- 96-Hour Transit: AED 50 + VAT — via airline or self-apply
Transit visas cannot be extended. If your onward flight is cancelled, contact GDRFA immediately. F4A261
UAE Visit Visa
For individuals visiting UAE-resident family or friends. Requires a UAE-resident or citizen sponsor. Available for 30, 60, or 90 days (fees: AED 315–AED 1,050 approx.). Sponsor must earn AED 4,000+/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation). Extendable online for the same duration at AED 630.
UAE Green Visa — 5-Year Self-Sponsored Residency
Introduced in 2022, the Green Visa allows skilled workers, freelancers, and certain investors to live in the UAE for 5 years without an employer sponsor — a major reform in UAE immigration.
Duration: 5 years — renewable
Sponsor: Not required — self-sponsored
Fee: AED 1,150 approx.
Family sponsorship: Eligible — spouse, children, and parents
Apply via: ICP Smart Services: icp.gov.ae
Who Qualifies
- Skilled employees: UAE job offer + AED 15,000/month minimum salary + degree-level qualification
- Freelancers and self-employed: valid UAE freelance permit or self-employment licence
- Business investors: partner or owner of a UAE-licensed business
- Outstanding graduates: GPA 3.8+ from UAE university (within 2 years of graduation)
Key difference from employment visa: The Green Visa is not tied to a single employer. You can change jobs, go freelance, or take a career break with a 6-month grace period — without losing residency.
UAE Golden Visa — 10-Year Residency
The UAE's flagship long-term residency programme. Grants a 10-year renewable residence permit with no sponsor requirement. Introduced in 2019 and significantly expanded in 2022–2023.
Duration: 10 years — renewable (the 5-year version was discontinued)
Sponsor: Not required — self-sponsored
Fee: AED 2,800 approx. (varies by emirate)
Family: Unlimited family members and domestic helpers
Outside UAE: Can remain outside UAE beyond the usual 6-month limit without losing status
Eligibility Categories
- Real estate investors: UAE property worth AED 2 million+ (mortgaged and off-plan eligible)
- Entrepreneurs: UAE company with AED 1 million+ annual revenue or AED 500,000 paid-up capital
- Skilled professionals: AED 30,000/month salary + degree in a priority field (medicine, engineering, IT, science)
- Exceptional talents: artists, athletes, humanitarian workers — with UAE ministry endorsement
- Outstanding students: GPA 3.8+ from UAE university or accredited international equivalent (within 2 years of graduation)
UAE Blue Visa — 10-Year Environmental Residency
Launched in 2024, the Blue Visa is a 10-year residency awarded by the UAE government to individuals with exceptional contributions to environmental protection, climate action, or sustainability. Fee: AED 2,800 approx. Applications are nomination-based through the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment — not available through standard online portals.
UAE Remote Work Visa (Virtual Working Programme)
Allows digital nomads and remote professionals to live in the UAE for one year while working for employers or clients outside the UAE.
Duration: 1 year — renewable
Fee: ~USD 611 (includes processing and mandatory health insurance)
Income requirement: USD 3,500/month minimum — verified by bank statement or employment contract
Work restriction: Cannot work for UAE-based employers
Apply via: apply. Emirates Visa Application
UAE Employment / Work Visa
Issued to foreign nationals with a UAE job offer. Fully sponsored by the employer through MoHRE. Duration: 2–3 years. Includes work permit, Emirates ID, and mandatory medical fitness test. Employer bears all costs by law. Cancellation of employment triggers a 30-day grace period to transfer sponsor or exit.
UAE Student Visa
Issued to students enrolled in UAE-accredited universities or colleges. Sponsored by the institution.
Duration: 1 year, renewed annually.
Fee: AED 370–500 approx.
Part-time work (up to 15 hours/week) permitted with an NOC from the institution.
Outstanding graduates (GPA 3.8+) are eligible for the Golden Visa within 2 years of graduation.
UAE Job Seeker Visa
Allows qualified professionals to enter the UAE and search for employment without a prior job offer. Self-sponsored.
Duration: 60 days (general) or 120 days (bachelor's degree holders and above).
Fee: AED 500–750 approx.
Apply via icp.gov.ae. Once a job is offered, the employer initiates an employment visa — no exit from UAE required for conversion.
UAE Retirement Visa
For UAE residents aged 55 or above. Self-sponsored, 5-year renewable residency.
Fee: AED 1,150 approx.
Must meet ONE of three financial thresholds: (A) own UAE property worth AED 1 million+, (B) hold AED 1 million+ in savings, or (C) earn AED 15,000+/month in passive income (pension, dividends, rental).
UAE Family / Dependent Visa
UAE residents earning AED 4,000/month (or AED 3,000 + accommodation) can sponsor immediate family members. Covers spouse, children (sons to 18, daughters unmarried at any age, enrolled students to 21), and parents (subject to higher income thresholds).
Duration: 1–3 years, tied to sponsor's visa.
Fee: AED 600–1,500 per dependent.
Documents required: attested marriage and birth certificates, salary certificate, tenancy contract.
UAE Visa Fees 2026 — Official AED Table
All fees are in AED (UAE Dirham). VAT at 5% is included in the 'Total' column. Third-party agent fees (AED 100–300) are additional.
Currency note: Fees are in AED — the official currency of UAE government visa transactions. USD equivalent at 1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED. Do not reference INR or other third-party currency conversions on this page.
How to Apply for a UAE Visa
The entire UAE visa application process is online — no embassy visit, no physical document submission.
Step 1: Visit the website Emirates Visa
Step 2: Select the correct visa type using the overview table above
Step 3: Gather required documents (passport, photo, ticket, accommodation, bank statement for tourist visas)
Step 4: Apply via ICP (non-Dubai), GDRFA (Dubai), or a licensed UAE airline or agency
Step 5: Complete the online form — name must match passport exactly
Step 6: Upload documents (PDF/JPEG) and pay fee online by card — VAT added automatically
Step 7: Wait for processing — 3 to 5 working days standard, 24 to 48 hours express
Step 8: Receive approved e-visa by email. Print or save digitally for arrival.
Tip: Apply at least 7 days before travel. During peak season (November–April) and UAE public holidays, standard processing can be slower than usual.
UAE Visa Extension and Overstay Fines
Most pre-arranged tourist and visit visas can be extended online once, for the same duration as the original. Extension fee: AED 600 + 5% VAT (AED 630 flat). Apply via ICP or GDRFA at least 3 days before expiry.
- Visa on Arrival (90-day): NOT extendable
- Transit Visa: NOT extendable under any circumstances
- Green / Golden / Blue Visa: renewal (not extension) every 5 or 10 years
Overstay Fines (2026 — Updated Rules)
Fine rate: AED 50 per day from Day 1 of overstay — no grace period
Exit permit: AED 250–300 required to depart after visa expiry
10-day overstay: AED 500 fine + AED 275 exit permit = AED 775 minimum
30-day overstay: AED 1,500 fine + AED 275 exit permit = AED 1,775 minimum
Pay at: GDRFA (Dubai) or ICP (other emirates) — must clear before departure
Updated rule: The 10-day grace period that previously applied in Dubai has been abolished. Overstay fines begin from the very first day of expiry under the current ICP/GDRFA framework.
Whether you are visiting for tourism, relocating for work, or building long-term residency in the UAE, choosing the right visa type from the start makes the entire process faster and avoids costly rejections or overstay penalties.
Need help with your application? Our licensed UAE visa team handles document preparation, submission, and follow-up — so you arrive in the UAE with everything in order.
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