Types of UAE Visas and Prices
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What are the Types of UAE Visas?
Entry Visas
Tourist Visa
This visa is required to visit the UAE for tourism, sightseeing, and leisure activities. Citizens of many countries are also granted visa-free entry or a visa on arrival when they enter the UAE. A tourist visa is usually valid for 30 days or 60 days and can be extended further for 30 days.
Visit Visa
A UAE visit visa serves multiple purposes such as work, business, training, family visits, medical treatment, attending special events, etc. It is valid for 90 days.
5-Year Multiple-Entry Visa
This visa allows you to visit the UAE multiple times over a 5-year period. You can stay for up to 90 days on each visit and extend your trip for another 90 days. This visa is ideal for frequent travelers to the UAE.
Job Seeker Visa
A job seeker visa allows foreign nationals to visit the UAE and search for jobs without the requirement of a host or sponsor. It is available for 60, 90, or 120 days. An applicant for this visa must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and fulfill the required financial guarantee.
Transit Visa
A transit visa permits you to stay briefly in the UAE en route to another country. A UAE transit visa is available for 48 hours & 96 hours and cannot be extended. You can get this visa from an airline or a travel agency in the UAE.
Residence Visas
Student Visa
Foreign nationals who wish to study at a college or a university in the UAE can apply for and obtain a student visa. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have an accredited institution or a parent/guardian in the UAE to act as a sponsor. The validity of this visa is one year and can be extended further with evidence of ongoing enrollment.
Investor Visa
An investor visa permits you to invest in businesses or purchase real estate in the UAE. This visa grants you special privileges, including a long-term renewable residence visa with a validity of 5 years or 10 years.
Retirement Visa
Retired individuals from across the world can choose to stay in the UAE by obtaining a retirement visa. The applicants must be at least 55 years of age with a professional work experience of at least 15 years. This visa is initially granted for 5 years with an option for renewal after expiry.
UAE Green Visa
This visa allows individuals to sponsor themselves and their family members for up to 5 years without the support of sponsorship from an employer or a UAE citizen. Self-employed individuals, freelancers, and employees with special skills can apply for a Green visa.
UAE Golden Visa
A Golden visa permits foreign nationals to live, work, or study in the UAE and enjoy some exclusive benefits. The UAE Golden Visa is granted to investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes. This visa is valid for 5 years or 10 years and does not require an external sponsor. Both family members and domestic staff can be sponsored under a Golden visa.
Dubai Visa Price List
Entry Visas:
| Visa Type | Cost (AED) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | 250 to 690 | |
| GCC E-Visa | 250 | |
| 5-Year Multiple-Entry Visa | 300 to 700 | |
| Job Seeker Visa | 1,495 to 1,815 | |
| Transit Visa | 50 | |
Residence Visas:
| Visa Type | Cost (AED) | |
|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | 1,000 to 3,000 | |
| Investor Visa | 1,035 to 13,000 (amount varies based on the nature of investment) | |
| Retirement Visa | 3,715 | |
| UAE Green Visa | 2,280 | |
| UAE Golden Visa | 2,800 to 3,800 | |
Note: The visa prices are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please refer to the UAE Government portal for the latest information.
What are the New Visa Rules in 2024?
All tourist visas can now be extended for 30 days from within the UAE. Visa holders need not leave and re-enter the country to extend their visas.
Visa holders can now extend or cancel their entry permits through a personal online account. The new digital system enables the extension, canceling, and printing of entry permits.
Unused visas must be canceled within the specified period to avoid the rejection of new visa applications by the immigration system.
Travelers with UAE visit visas must ensure that they carry at least AED 3,000 in cash/credit, a valid return ticket, and proof of accommodation before boarding their flights.
Health insurance will soon be integrated into the online visa application system to enable tourists to buy health insurance along with their visa applications.
The Work Bundle Platform shall streamline the issuance of work permits and residency visas. This initiative will reduce the processing time from 30 days to just 5 days.
Benefits have been enhanced under the UAE Green Visa system. This includes providing longer grace periods of up to 6 months after visa expiration or cancelation to support family members.
The duration of work permits issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiritisation (MoHRE) shall be enhanced from two years to three years.
A new long-term visa scheme called the ‘Blue Residency’ has been launched to offer a 10-year residency visa to individuals who play a significant role in environmental conservation.
Requirements to Get a UAE Visa
A passport with a validity of at least six months after the return date and containing at least two blank pages
Travel itinerary with details of flight and hotel bookings
A confirmed return ticket for all members
Recent bank statements as proof of funds to support your stay in the UAE
A travel or health insurance policy valid in the UAE
How Can I Apply for a UAE Visa Online?
The visa application procedure depends on the type of visa you need. However, the general steps to apply for a UAE visa online are as follows:
Determine the type of visa required for your purpose of visit. For instance, you need a tourist visa for leisure activities, a visit visa for medical treatment or meeting your family & friends, a work visa for employment, and so on
Find a person to sponsor your visa. A sponsor may be a UAE resident (for family visits), a company in the UAE (for business and work visas), a hotel/travel agency (for tourist visas), etc.
Gather all the required documents. The list of documents include:
Passport with a validity of at least six months.
Recent passport-sized photographs
Completed visa application form
Travel itinerary with confirmed flight and hotel bookings
Latest bank statements as proof of financial means
Travel or health insurance (not mandatory but recommended)
Some additional documents may be based on your visa type (e.g., invitation letter, work contract, etc.)
Submit the visa application online through the ICA portal or the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs. Pay the visa application fee online using your credit card or debit card
The processing time depends on the visa type, number of travelers, travel season, etc. You can track the status of your application on the same portal where you had applied for the visa
The approved visa will be sent to your registered email address after processing. You can take a printout and carry it while traveling
Benefits of Having a UAE Residence Visa
Employment
A residence visa provides a legal permit to work in the UAE and take advantage of its growing economy and diverse job opportunities
Business & Entrepreneurship
The UAE offers several sops for setting up a business such as 100% foreign ownership, zero taxes, and single-window clearances. A residence visa is often a prerequisite to setting up a business in the UAE.
Banking & Finances
A residence visa is required to open a bank account, apply for a loan, make financial investments, and access other banking services in the UAE.
Education & Healthcare
The UAE has a world-class healthcare and education system. A residence visa offers easy access to education and healthcare facilities in both the public and the private sector.
Other Services
You can sign rental agreements, obtain a driving license, and access several government services with a UAE residence visa
Property Investments
Residence visa holders can buy properties in cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, which provide attractive real estate investment opportunities
Travel
UAE residents enjoy visa-free travel or visa-on-arrival facilities in many countries around the world
Long-Term Stay
A residence visa allows expatriates to stay in the UAE for as long as 5 years or 10 years. Further, they can renew their visas after expiry without much hassle.
Sponsorship
The UAE Green Visa or the Golden Visa does not require an external sponsor. Individuals can sponsor themselves, their family members, and their domestic staff as dependents on a residence visa.
Frequently Asked Questions on UAE Visa Types and Fees
How much bank balance is required for a UAE visa?
There is no fixed minimum balance requirement for a UAE visa. A visit visa may require at least AED 5,000 or its equivalent in your bank account.
What is the difference between a visit visa and a tourist visa in the UAE?
A UAE tourist visa can be used for tourism, sightseeing, and leisure activities. However, a visit visa can be used for other purposes such as work, business, training, family visits, medical treatment, attending special events, etc. While a tourist visa is available for 30 days and 60 days, a visit visa has a validity of 90 days.
Is it easy to get a UAE visa?
The ease of getting a UAE visa depends on the visa type and your nationality. The UAE visa processing time is usually 3 to 4 business days, subject to the immigration approval.
Can Indians visit the UAE without a visa?
No. Indian citizens require a visa to visit the UAE. However, Indian nationals with a valid US, UK, or Schengen visa do not need a separate visa to enter the UAE. They can land at the airport and get a visa on arrival.
How do I know if my UAE visa is approved?
The procedure to check the status of your UAE visa application is as follows:
- Visit the official portal of the ICP Smart Services or the GDRFA
- Proceed to the ‘Services’ section and click ‘Check Visa.’
- Enter your passport number, visa application number, and passport expiry date
- Select your nationality and click ‘Submit’ to view the status of your visa
Is travel insurance mandatory for the UAE?
Travel insurance is not mandatory for all visitors to the UAE. However, it is highly recommended for travelers to purchase travel insurance and protect themselves against unforeseen events in a foreign land. Further, some travelers on long-term visas may be required to get health insurance coverage in the UAE.
What happens if your visa expires in Dubai?
Currently, the UAE does not offer any grace period for travelers on tourist or visit visas. So any stay beyond the expiration date shall be considered illegal resulting in a fine of AED 50 per day.
How long can I stay after my visa expires?
As the UAE government has eliminated the 10-day grace period on visit visas, you have to leave the country before the visa expires. Overstaying can result in fines and may also lead to your deportation from the UAE.
Who is eligible for a Dubai Golden Visa?
Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, outstanding students and graduates, doctors, athletes, humanitarian pioneers, and frontline heroes are some people who are eligible for a Dubai Golden Visa.
