The Dubai eVisa is a pre-arranged electronic visa required by travelers whose nationality is not eligible for a free visa on arrival in the UAE. It is issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA) and must be applied for through a UAE-based sponsor — such as an airline, hotel, or licensed travel agent. Travelers cannot apply directly on their own.
Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and ~60 other countries receive a free 90-day visa on arrival and do NOT need an eVisa at all.
What Is the Dubai eVisa?
The Dubai eVisa (also called UAE eVisa or UAE visit visa) is an electronic travel visa that allows eligible international travelers to visit Dubai and the United Arab Emirates for tourism, business, or family visits — without visiting a UAE embassy or consulate. Unlike a visa on arrival, the Dubai eVisa must be obtained before you travel. Once approved, the visa is sent to your email. You present it at immigration upon arrival at Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Key facts:- Issuing authority: GDRFA Dubai (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs)
- How to get it: Through a UAE-based sponsor — airline, hotel, or licensed travel agent
- Cannot apply independently: Travelers must use a sponsor to submit the application
- Delivery: Sent to email — present at immigration on arrival
- Processing: Minimum 5 working days from document submission
Dubai eVisa vs Visa on Arrival
These are two completely different things:| Dubai eVisa | Visa on Arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | Nationalities NOT on VOA list | US, UK, EU, AU, CA, and ~60 others |
| When to apply | Before travel | At the airport on arrival |
| Cost | Paid (varies by type) | Free |
| Processing | Min 5 working days | Instant at border |
| Duration | 30 or 60 days | 30 or 90 days (depending on nationality) |
⚠️ Check your nationality first. If you hold a US, UK, EU, Australian, or Canadian passport, you almost certainly do NOT need to apply for a Dubai eVisa. You will receive a free visa on arrival.
Who Issues the Dubai eVisa?
The Dubai eVisa is issued by the GDRFA Dubai — the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. This is the official UAE government authority responsible for all visa and residency matters in Dubai. The ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) handles visas for other emirates.Do You Need a Visa for Dubai?
Whether you need a visa depends entirely on your nationality. Dubai has three categories:- GCC citizens — No visa required (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia)
- Visa on arrival — Free visa issued at the airport (no pre-application needed)
- Pre-arranged visa required — Must apply for an eVisa before travel
Countries with Free 90-Day Visa on Arrival
Citizens of the following countries receive a free multiple-entry 90-day visit visa upon arrival in the UAE. The visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and allows a total stay of 90 days: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Guyana, Romania, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay✅ If your country is on this list, you do NOT need to apply for a Dubai eVisa. Simply arrive at Dubai airport with your valid passport, return ticket, and proof of accommodation.
Countries with a Free 30-Day Visa on Arrival
Citizens of the following countries receive a free 30-day visit visa upon arrival: Andorra, Brunei, Hong Kong (China), Kazakhstan, Macau (China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Republic of Ireland, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vatican CitySpecial Case: Mexico
Mexican passport holders receive a free multiple-entry 180-day visit visa valid for 6 months from the date of issue.Special Case: India (from January 7, 2024)
Indian passport holders can obtain a 14-day single-entry visa on arrival if they meet one of the following conditions:- Hold a valid US visa or US Green Card (valid for at least 6 months)
- Hold a valid UK visa (including eVisas) or UK residence permit
- Hold a valid visa or residence permit from any EU member state
- Hold a valid residence permit from: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or Singapore (valid for at least 6 months)
⚠️ Indian citizens who do NOT meet the above conditions must apply for a pre-arranged Dubai eVisa before travel.
Countries That Need a Pre-Arranged Visa
If your country is not on any of the above lists, you must apply for a Dubai eVisa before traveling. This includes most nationalities from:- South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal — except India with conditions above)
- Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand — except Singapore and Malaysia)
- Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and most African countries — except Seychelles)
- Middle East (Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and others)
Dubai eVisa Types
Dubai offers several visa types depending on the purpose and duration of your visit:Tourist Visa (30-day and 60-day)
The most common visa type for travelers visiting Dubai for tourism, shopping, or family visits.| Visa Type | Validity | Entry | Extensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist — 30 days, single entry | 30 days from arrival date | 1 entry | Yes (×2) |
| Tourist — 30 days, multiple entry | 30 days from first entry | Multiple | Yes (×2) |
| Tourist — 60 days, single entry | 60 days from arrival date | 1 entry | Yes (×2) |
| Tourist — 60 days, multiple entry | 60 days from first entry | Multiple | Yes (×2) |
Extensions: Tourist visas can be extended twice. Each extension adds 30 additional days without leaving the UAE. Renewal must be processed before the visa or first extension expires.
Single Entry vs Multiple Entry
- Single entry: You can enter the UAE once. If you leave, the visa is no longer valid.
- Multiple entry: You can enter and exit the UAE multiple times within the visa validity period.
Dubai eVisa Requirements
Documents Required
To apply for a Dubai eVisa, you will need:- Valid passport — machine-readable, in good condition, valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel
- Colour photograph of the applicant (passport-style, white background)
- Completed visa application form (provided by your airline, hotel, or travel agent)
- Proof of travel — if you have previously visited the UAE, include the latest entry/exit stamp pages
- Round-trip booking — a confirmed return ticket (required when applying through airlines)
- Valid UAE residence visa with minimum 3–6 months validity
- Supporting documents for dependents (spouse, children under 23, parents over 60)
Passport Requirements
- Passport must be machine-readable and in good condition
- Valid for a minimum of 6 months on the date of travel
- Must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp
- Non-standard passports and travel documents may have different requirements
Photo Requirements
- Colour photograph
- Passport-style (white or light background)
- Recent (taken within the last 6 months)
- Clear, full-face view
How to Apply for a Dubai eVisa
⚠️ Important: Travelers cannot apply for a Dubai eVisa on their own. The visa must be applied for and sponsored by a UAE-based entity — an airline, hotel, or licensed travel agent. You submit your documents to your chosen sponsor, who processes the application with the GDRFA on your behalf.There are three ways to get a Dubai eVisa:
Option 1: Through Airlines
Major UAE airlines offer visa application services for their passengers:- Emirates — apply via emirates.com
- flydubai — apply via flydubai travel shops
- Etihad — apply via etihad.com
Note: You must have a confirmed and paid round-trip booking with that airline. Processing takes a minimum of 5 working days from the date of submission, provided all required documents are submitted correctly.
Option 2: Through Hotels
Many Dubai hotels can act as your visa sponsor and process the application on your behalf. This is a common option for travelers who have already booked accommodation in Dubai.Option 3: Through Licensed Travel Agents
Licensed UAE travel agents can sponsor and submit your visa application. This is often the most flexible option, especially for travelers who are not flying with a UAE airline.Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Check eligibility — confirm your nationality requires a pre-arranged visa.
- Choose visa type — 30-day or 60-day, single or multiple entry.
- Gather documents — passport, photo, passport copy.
- Choose your sponsor — airline, hotel, or licensed travel agent.
- Submit your documents to the sponsor — they complete and file the application.
- Pay the fee — to your sponsor (government fee + service fee may apply).
- Wait for approval — minimum 5 working days.
- Receive visa by email — save and print the visa.
- Travel to Dubai — present the visa at immigration on arrival.
Dubai eVisa Processing Time
Processing time depends on the sponsor:- Through airlines (flydubai, Emirates, Etihad): Minimum 5 working days from date of submission, provided all documents are correct
- Through hotels or travel agents: Varies — typically 3–7 working days
💡 Tip: Apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date to allow sufficient time for processing and any potential issues. Do not apply too far in advance — visas are typically issued close to the travel date.Factors that can delay processing:
- Incomplete or incorrect documents
- Passport validity issues
- High application volumes during peak travel seasons
- Additional security checks for certain nationalities
Dubai eVisa Extension
Yes. Tourist visas (30-day and 60-day) can be extended twice:- Each extension adds 30 additional days to your stay
- You do NOT need to leave the UAE to extend
- Extension must be applied for before the current visa or extension expires
- Extension fee: approximately AED 600–700 per extension
- Visit the GDRFA Dubai website or a GDRFA service center
- Submit the extension application before your current visa expires
- Pay the extension fee
- Receive the extended visa
⚠️ Overstay fine: If you stay beyond your visa validity without extending, you will be fined 50 AED per day for each day of overstay. Overstaying can also affect future visa applications.
How to Check Your Dubai eVisa Status
You can check the status of your Dubai eVisa application through:- GDRFA Dubai website — gdrfad.gov.ae — use your application reference number
- ICP Smart Services — smartservices.icp.gov.ae — for federal visa services
- Through your airline, hotel, or agent — contact your sponsor directly for status updates
- Under review — application is being processed
- Approved — visa has been issued; check your email
- Rejected — application was not approved; you may reapply or appeal
- Cancelled — visa was cancelled
- Incomplete or incorrect documents
- Passport validity less than 6 months
- Previous overstay or immigration violations
- Nationality restrictions
Dubai eVisa for Specific Nationalities
Dubai Visa for Indians
Indian citizens have a special arrangement since January 7, 2024:- Visa on arrival (14 days): Available if you hold a valid US, UK, EU, Australian, Canadian, Japanese, New Zealand, South Korean, or Singaporean visa or residence permit
- Pre-arranged eVisa: Required for all other Indian passport holders
Dubai Visa for Pakistanis and Bangladeshis
Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens are not eligible for visa on arrival and must apply for a pre-arranged Dubai eVisa before travel. They can apply for:- 30-day tourist visa (single or multiple entry)
- 60-day tourist visa (single or multiple entry)
Dubai Visa for Filipinos
Filipino citizens are not eligible for visa on arrival and must apply for a pre-arranged Dubai eVisa through an airline, hotel, or licensed travel agent. The Philippines is one of the largest source countries for visitors to Dubai, and the application process is well-established through these channels.Dubai Visa for Nigerians and Africans
Most African nationalities (except Seychelles) are not eligible for visa on arrival and must apply for a pre-arranged Dubai eVisa through an airline, hotel, or licensed travel agent. Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, and South African citizens can apply for tourist or transit visas through these channels.Dubai eVisa FAQs
- How long does a Dubai eVisa take to process? A minimum of 5 working days when applying through airlines. Hotels and travel agents typically take 3–7 working days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
- Can I extend my Dubai eVisa? Yes. Tourist visas can be extended twice, with each extension adding 30 days. Apply for the extension before your current visa expires.
- What happens if I overstay my Dubai visa? You will be fined 50 AED per day for each day of overstay. Overstaying can also affect future visa applications and entry to the UAE.
- Can I apply for a Dubai eVisa without a return ticket? When applying through airlines, a confirmed round-trip booking is required. When applying through hotels or travel agents, a return ticket may not be mandatory, but proof of onward travel is generally recommended.
- Is the Dubai eVisa the same as the UAE visa? Yes. Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the UAE. A Dubai eVisa is a UAE visa that allows entry to all emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and others.
- Can I apply for a Dubai eVisa on arrival? No. The eVisa must be obtained before travel. If your nationality is eligible for visa on arrival, you will receive it automatically at the airport — no pre-application needed.
- What is the GDRFA? GDRFA stands for General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. It is the official UAE government authority in Dubai responsible for issuing visas, residence permits, and managing immigration matters.
- Can I enter Dubai with a GCC residence visa? GCC residents (holding a residence visa of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, or Oman) must obtain a UAE eVisa before travel. They are not eligible for visa on arrival.
- What is the Dubai Golden Visa? The Dubai Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa (5 or 10 years) for investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, and outstanding students. It is different from a tourist eVisa and requires a separate application process.