The UAE offers a highly organized, purpose-driven range of visit and tourist visas managed through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
The entry categories are structured based on the duration, frequency of entry, and the specific purpose of your visit:
1. Standard Tourist Visas
These are the most common pre-arranged entry permits for leisure, sightseeing, or visiting family.
- 30-Day Tourist Visa: Available as single-entry or multiple-entry.
- 60-Day Tourist Visa: Ideal for longer stays, available as single-entry or multiple-entry.
- 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa: A self-sponsored long-term tourist visa. It allows you to enter multiple times over 5 years and stay up to 90 days per visit (extendable for another 90 days). It does not require a local sponsor, but applicants must show a bank balance of USD 4,000 (or equivalent) for the last 6 months.
2. Specialized & Purpose-Driven Visit Visas
The UAE provides dedicated visit permits for specific professional or personal needs:
- Jobseeker Visit Visa: Designed for skilled professionals looking for employment opportunities in the UAE. It does not require a local sponsor.
- Investment Exploration Visa: For foreign investors looking to explore business or investment opportunities in the country.
- Visit Visa for Relatives or Friends: Allows UAE residents to sponsor their family members or friends for 30, 60, or 90 days.
- Medical Treatment Visa: Issued for patients entering the country for healthcare procedures, along with an entry permit for an accompanying companion.
3. Purpose-Specific Visit Visas (New)
The ICP includes targeted categories for specific industries, which require a sector-licensed local sponsor:
- AI Specialist Visit Visa: For professionals in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
- Entertainment Visit Visa: For performers, artists, production crews, and creative talent.
- Events Visit Visa: For attendees, delegates, and speakers participating in conferences, exhibitions, or major cultural and sports events.
- Cruise & Leisure Boat Tourism Visa: A multiple-entry option tailored specifically for cruise ship passengers and yacht tourists.
4. Transit Visas & Regional Entry
- 48-Hour Transit Visa: Free of charge, single-entry, non-extendable; perfect for quick flight layovers.
- 96-Hour Transit Visa: Single-entry, non-extendable, designed for a short 3 to 4-day stopover city experience.
- GCC Resident eVisa: A 30-day single-entry permit (extendable once) specifically for expatriates holding a valid residency in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, or Kuwait.
In-Country Extensions: Most standard 30-day and 60-day tourist or business visit visas can be extended online via the official ICP or GDRFA smart platforms directly from inside the UAE, eliminating the need to exit and re-enter the country.
