Before applying for a UAE visa, choose the right type. The wrong visa may lead to refusal or problems at entry. The information in this article comes from the official pages of the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), checked on 24 October 2026.
The tourist visa
- Sponsor: a licensed establishment active in the UAE's tourism sector.
- Duration in Dubai: 30 or 60 days, single or multiple entry.
- Conditions: a passport valid for at least six months, health insurance valid in the UAE and a ticket to leave or continue the journey.
- Suitable for: sightseeing, short visits, shopping and events.
The five-year multiple-entry tourist visa
According to the ICP's FAQ, some tourist visas are five-year and multiple-entry. On this type you can stay up to 90 days each time and up to 180 days a year. For the multi-year visa the ICP also requires a bank balance of US$4,000.
Visiting relatives or friends
- Sponsor: a relative or friend resident in the UAE.
- Duration: 30, 60 or 90 days, single or multiple entry.
- The ICP sets a minimum monthly salary for the sponsor: AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends.
- Proof of the family relationship and the sponsor's lease or title deed are usually needed.
- A financial guarantee is taken which, according to the ICP, can be refunded after exit if there is no violation.
Other types
- Medical treatment: for treatment or for a patient's companion, applied for by a licensed healthcare facility.
- Work mission: applied for by a government, private or free-zone entity.
- Study, training or research: applied for by a licensed university or institution.
- Transit: according to the ICP's FAQ, 96 hours.
- Job exploration and business set-up: according to the ICP, 60 to 120 days.
Which to choose
- If you are going sightseeing and have no resident host: the tourist visa.
- If you have relatives resident in the UAE who meet the salary condition: also consider the relatives' visit visa.
- If you travel several times a year: consider a multiple-entry or five-year visa.
- A tourist visa cannot be used for work.
A note for Iranian nationals
The ICP and GDRFA ask nationals of Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan (and in Dubai, Pakistan) for a copy of the national card or identity document of the country of origin too. Prepare it in advance.
At present Royal Golden offers the Dubai tourist visa through a licensed tourism partner. The available types and the price of each are in the visa section of the site.
This article is general information and not legal advice. Decisions on issuing visas and on entry rest with the UAE authorities.
Sources
- ICP UAE, issuance of a visa (types, duration, conditions, documents) — https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e60 (checked on 24 October 2026)
- ICP UAE, FAQ (the five-year visa, transit) — https://icp.gov.ae/en/faq/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- GDRFA Dubai, issuance of a single-entry tourist visa — https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f9e586fe-0642-11ec-0320-0050569629e8 (checked on 24 October 2026)
- GDRFA Dubai, issuance of a multiple-entry tourist visa — https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f9e586fb-0642-11ec-0320-0050569629e8 (checked on 24 October 2026)