By the middle of 2025, the UAE will have introduced tourists with visa alternatives such as short term 48-hour transit visa, and a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa.
A visit to the United Arab Emirates may be fairly easy to do; however, visa options, rules, and requirements depend on your nationality, duration of stay, and purpose of travel. This guide is a breakdown of all you need to know about the UAE tourist visa rules, such as who has to apply, and how to apply, fees, extensions, and special cases. The official UAE websites or the local UAE embassy always update us on the latest news.
Types of Tourist Visas
- Short-term/ Transit Visas (48-hour, 96-hour) through airlines, which are applicable during a short stopover.
- Single-entry 30-day visas (single or multiple entry) of standard tourist visas.
- The 60-day and 90-day visas are commonly used on extended visits.
- 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa that provides consecutive visits (90 days per visit), self-sponsored.
Visa Eligibility Requirements
The passport must have a validity of at least six months for your visit in order to secure a UAE tourist visa. There are also certain types of visas in which one has to provide evidence of funds, i.e., a bank statement, travel or health insurance, and a confirmed onward or return ticket. Also, some restrictions may be added to female minors under 18 years of age traveling alone.
Application Process
Application to the UAE tourist visa is supported by the airlines, hotels, licensed travel agents or by the immigration authorities. The majority of the applications are online in that one supplies the required documents, pays the fees and waits to be accepted.
Required Documents
- Legal passport (with necessary validity)
- Passport-size photo, occasionally a duplicate of passport bio-data page.
- Evidence of accommodation or hotel reservation, back or onward ticket.
- Evidence of financial resources, health coverage in other instances (4-year or 5-year visa)
Visa Fees and Duration
| Visa Type | Approx. Duration / Stay | Approx Fees* |
| Transit (48 hrs) | 48 hours | AED 55 |
| Transit (96 hrs) | 96 hours | AED 216 |
| 30-day Single Entry | ~30 days stay | ~AED 250 (single) via GDRFA for Dubai short-term single entry. |
| 30-day Multiple Entry | ~30 days | ~AED 690 (multiple) for short-term multiple entry. |
| 90-day Single Entry | ~90 days | ~AED 600 via GDRFA for long-term single entry. |
| 90-day Multiple Entry | ~90 days | ~AED 1,740 via GDRFA for long-term multiple entry. |
| 5-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa | 90 days per visit, multiple entries over 5 years | Requirements include bank balance of USD 4,000 or equivalent, health insurance etc. |
*The fees are just an estimate and can change according to the emirate, agent, or application. Never trust through unofficial channels.
Visa-Free Entry for Certain Nationals
GCC citizens may travel to the UAE without a visa with their passport or national ID, and some other nationalities may have a visa on arrival, depending on their nationality.
Multiple Entry Visas
Various entry visas allow the traveler the option of flexibility; one can travel in and out within the validity. The best alternative would be the 5-year tourist visa, which comes with a visit of up to 90 days.
UAE Visa Categories & Durations
| Category | Entry Type | Maximum Stay per Entry | Validity of Visa | |
| Transit Visa | Single Entry | 48 / 96 hours | Usually must enter within 30 days of issuance | |
| Short-Term Single Entry | Single Entry | ~30 days | Validity ~30 days from entry | |
| Short-Term Multiple Entry | Multiple Entries | ~30 days per stay | Visa validity may allow multiple stays within period | |
| Long-Term Single / Multiple Entry | Single or Multiple | 60-90 days per stay | Validity corresponds to type | |
| 5-Year Multiple Entry Visa | Multiple Entries | ~90 days per visit | 5 years |
Conclusion
The tourist visa regulations of the UAE do not have to be daunting. The most important thing is to be aware of your nationality, duration of stay and single or multiple entry. Considering the staying longer or frequent visits, a 5-year visa could be worth the additional paperwork. It is necessary to use official sites (airlines, hotels, UAE government sites) and to update documents. It is better to check the latest information near your travel date in order not to be surprised in immigration.