UAE Visa Guide (2026)

The United Arab Emirates — home to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and five other emirates — is one of the world's most visited destinations. The UAE offers multiple entry options depending on your nationality: visa on arrival, visa-free entry, tourist e-visa, or a formal visa application. This guide covers who needs what, how to apply, fees, and every major visa category.

Last updated: June 2026

Do You Need a UAE Visa?

Your UAE entry requirement depends on your passport nationality:

Visa-free (no advance visa required): All GCC nationals (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar), EU/Schengen passport holders, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and many others — these nationalities receive a free visa on arrival for 30–90 days
Visa on arrival (with fee): India (14 days, AED 100), and some other South Asian nationalities — check current eligibility on the ICP website
Pre-arranged tourist e-visa required: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and most African nationalities

Verify your requirement on the UAE Government entry requirements checker.

Types of UAE Visa

Visa Type	Duration	Purpose
Visa on Arrival (free)	30–90 days	Tourism — GCC nationals, EU, US, UK, etc.
Visa on Arrival (fee)	14 days	Tourism — India and eligible nationalities
Tourist e-Visa (30 days)	30 days (extendable)	Tourism, transit to 60 days
Tourist e-Visa (60 days)	60 days (extendable)	Extended tourism or leisure stay
Tourist e-Visa (90 days)	90 days	Extended tourism
5-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa	5 years (stays up to 90 days)	Frequent visitors
Transit Visa	48 or 96 hours	Airport transit
Employment Visa	2–3 years	Work in UAE
Student Visa	1 year (renewable)	Study at UAE institutions
Golden Visa	10 years	Investors, exceptional talents, entrepreneurs
Green Visa	5 years	Skilled workers, freelancers — self-sponsored

UAE Tourist Visa Fees (2026)

Visa Type	Fee (AED)	Approx. (INR/PKR)
Visa on Arrival — India (14 days)	AED 100	≈ ₹2,300
Tourist e-Visa (30 days)	AED 250–350	≈ ₹5,700–8,000
Tourist e-Visa (60 days)	AED 500–600	≈ ₹11,500–13,800
Transit Visa (48 hours)	AED 50	≈ ₹1,150
Transit Visa (96 hours)	AED 100	≈ ₹2,300
5-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa	AED 1,000–1,500	≈ ₹23,000–34,500

Fees may vary by issuing channel (ICP portal, airline, hotel, travel agent). See the full UAE visa fees guide.

UAE Visa Processing Time

Visa on arrival: Issued at the UAE port of entry — no pre-application needed
Tourist e-Visa (online): 3–5 business days
Employment Visa: 2–4 weeks (after employer initiates the process)
Golden Visa: 4–8 weeks depending on category

See the full UAE visa processing time guide.

How to Apply for UAE Tourist Visa

There are several channels to obtain a UAE tourist e-visa:

ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) portal — official government portal at icp.gov.ae
Airline: Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia can sponsor tourist visas for their passengers
Hotel: Many UAE hotels (particularly 4- and 5-star) can sponsor a tourist visa for guests
Travel agency: Licensed UAE travel agencies can process tourist visas

See the full step-by-step UAE visa guide.

UAE Visa from India

India has a special arrangement with the UAE. Since January 2024, Indian passport holders are eligible for a visa on arrival at all UAE international airports — valid for 14 days, extendable once for another 14 days, for a fee of AED 100. For longer visits (30, 60, or 90 days), Indians can apply in advance for a tourist e-visa.

See the full UAE visa from India guide.

UAE Visa by Nationality

UAE Visa from India — visa on arrival (14 days) or e-visa (30/60 days)
UAE Visa from Pakistan — pre-arranged tourist visa required
UAE Visa from Nigeria — pre-arranged tourist visa required
UAE Visa from Bangladesh — pre-arranged tourist visa required
UAE Visa from Philippines — 30-day visa on arrival for Philippine passport holders

Golden Visa UAE — 10-Year Residency

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency program for investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists, outstanding students, and humanitarian pioneers. A Golden Visa holder can:

Reside in the UAE for up to 10 years (renewable)
Sponsor family members without a specific minimum salary requirement
Stay outside the UAE for extended periods without losing residency

See the full UAE Golden Visa guide.

Official References

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indians need a visa for UAE?

Indian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at UAE airports valid for 14 days (extendable once for 14 more days) at a fee of AED 100. For longer stays of 30, 60, or 90 days, Indians apply for a tourist e-visa in advance through an airline, hotel, or the ICP portal.

How long can I stay in UAE on a tourist visa?

Standard tourist visas are available for 30, 60, or 90 days. 30-day and 60-day visas can typically be extended once. Free visa-on-arrival nationalities generally receive 30 or 90 days depending on their nationality.

How much does a UAE tourist visa cost?

A 30-day UAE tourist e-visa costs approximately AED 250–350 (≈ ₹5,700–8,000). A 60-day visa costs AED 500–600. Fees vary by issuing channel. The India visa on arrival costs AED 100.

Can I extend my UAE tourist visa?

Yes. Most UAE tourist visas can be extended once. A 30-day visa can typically be extended to 60 days; a 60-day visa to 90 days. Extensions are applied for through the ICP portal or via your original visa sponsor (airline, hotel, travel agency). Extension fees are similar to the original visa fee.

What is the difference between a UAE visa and an Emirates visa?

There is no separate "Emirates visa." A UAE visa (issued by the UAE federal government) allows entry to all seven emirates — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. Whether your stay is in Dubai or anywhere else in the UAE, the same visa applies.