Before travelling to Dubai or any other emirate, answer two questions: do I need a visa, and do I meet the basic entry conditions? The information in this article comes from the official UAE government portal (u.ae, the tourist visa page updated on 1 October 2026), the federal authority ICP and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), checked on 24 October 2026.
Do you need a visa
- Nationals of some countries get a visa on arrival or enter without a visa. The lists change; check your nationality's status in the visa section of the u.ae portal.
- Nationals of other countries must get a visa before travelling.
Where the visa comes from
- According to u.ae, the tourist visa is applied for on your behalf by UAE airlines, licensed travel agencies or hotels. UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas.
- In Dubai, according to GDRFA, only tourism offices licensed in the Emirate of Dubai issue the tourist visa.
- The five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, according to u.ae, has no sponsor and is applied for by the person themselves.
Basic conditions
- A passport valid for at least six months;
- health insurance valid in the UAE;
- an onward or return ticket;
- a colour photo with a white background;
- for nationals of Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan (and, in Dubai, Pakistan): a copy of the national ID card or identity document of the home country.
The five-year multiple-entry visa
According to u.ae:
- up to 90 days each time, extendable for another 90 days;
- a bank balance of 4,000 US dollars or its equivalent over the last six months;
- health insurance valid in the UAE for 180 days;
- an onward or return ticket.
ICP also says in its FAQ that with this type you can stay at most 90 days each time and at most 180 days a year.
Residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries
u.ae has a separate e-visa for residents of the GCC countries: a 30-day permit from the date of issue, a 30-day stay, with one 30-day extension. The residence in that country must be valid for at least one year from the day of entry, and the passport for at least six months from the day of entry.
Deadlines
- According to ICP, the holder of an entry permit must enter within 60 days of issue.
- Staying beyond the visa's validity, according to ICP, carries a fine of 50 dirhams a day.
One piece of advice
Get the visa before buying a non-refundable ticket, and check its details against your passport.
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Decisions on issuing visas and on entry rest with the UAE authorities.
Sources
- Official UAE government portal, tourist visa (updated on 1 October 2026) — https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/Types-of-visas/tourist-visa (checked on 24 October 2026)
- ICP UAE, issuing a visa — https://icp.gov.ae/en/services-details/?serviceid=64afe3c1035448005bd52e60 (checked on 24 October 2026)
- ICP UAE, frequently asked questions — 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)