Tourist visa for the UAE: how to apply from Dubai

Step by step

1. 1

   Get the three requirements in place first

   To obtain this visa, the applicant must have: a bank balance of 4,000 USD or its equivalent in foreign currencies during the last six months, a valid health insurance policy applicable in the UAE, valid for 180 days, and a ticket showing continuing or return journey from the UAE. Gather these before you open the application form — they are what the file is judged on.

   Documents:Bank statementsUAE-applicable health insurance policyContinuing or return ticket
2. 2

   Apply online through ICP or GDRFA Dubai

   You can apply for a tourist visa online through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security or the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai. These are the two official channels for an online application; either one handles the request.

   Documents:Passport copyPhotograph
3. 3

   Or let a licensed agent or hotel arrange it

   Tourist visas through agencies and hotels: licensed travel agents and hotels in the UAE can arrange a tourist visa for you, provided you purchase the ticket through them and maintain hotel reservation with the specific hotel. This is a genuine alternative to applying yourself, but the ticket and the booking have to stay with that provider.

   Documents:Hotel reservationTicket issued by the agent or hotel
4. 4

   Do not go to a UAE embassy

   Note: The UAE's embassies do not issue tourist visas. People still travel to an embassy expecting to file there and lose a day over it. The application belongs online with the authority, or with a licensed agent or hotel.

5. 5

   If the applicant is a GCC resident

   GCC residents' entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and they are allowed to stay for 30 days from the date of entry. Note the two clocks: one runs from issue, the other from the day of arrival. The passport of GCC residents must be valid at least 6 months from the arrival date, so check the expiry before booking anything.

   Documents:PassportGCC residence proof
6. 6

   Extending the stay

   The visa is extendable once for 30 days. Plan around that single extension rather than assuming the stay can be rolled over repeatedly. Apply through the same authority that handled the original permit.

7. 7

   Check the current fee before you pay

   The official page we work from does not publish a fee amount for this visa, so we will not quote one. Confirm the current charge and the processing time on the ICP (icp.gov.ae) or GDRFA Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae) website at the moment you apply — these figures are revised from time to time.

Fees and timelines may change — verify with the official source.

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