Every United Arab Emirates visa category and its key facts. Eligibility varies by type - open a card for the conditions and the official page.
Tourist Visa - 30 Days Single Entry
Tourism and short visits
30 days single entry 1-3d processing online valid 60d
Details tourist
Tourist Visa - 30 Days Single Entry ร Tourism and short visits
30 days single entry 1-3d processing online valid 60d
Applied online via ICP portal or through UAE airlines/hotels. Valid 60 days from issue; 30-day stay from entry. Extendable once for 30 days (fee applies). Some nationalities receive visa on arrival free of charge. Official URL corrected: the old icp.gov.ae/en/visainformation/ page now 404s; verified working ICP service page substituted (confirmed July 2026). Apply here โ Tourist Visa - 60 Days Single Entry
Extended tourism and visits
60 days single entry 1-3d processing online valid 60d
Details tourist
Tourist Visa - 60 Days Single Entry ร Extended tourism and visits
60 days single entry 1-3d processing online valid 60d
Applied via ICP portal, airlines, or authorized travel agents. Valid 60 days from issue; 60-day maximum stay. Extendable. Official URL corrected: the old icp.gov.ae/en/visainformation/ page now 404s; verified working ICP service page substituted (confirmed July 2026). Apply here โ 5-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa
Repeated tourism and short visits over 5 years
90 days multiple entry 3-7d processing online valid 1825d
Details tourist
5-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa ร Repeated tourism and short visits over 5 years
90 days multiple entry 3-7d processing online valid 1825d
Maximum 90 days per visit. 5-year validity from date of issue. Available to eligible nationalities. Applied via ICP portal. Official URL corrected: the old icp.gov.ae/en/visainformation/ page now 404s; verified working ICP service page substituted (confirmed July 2026). Apply here โ Visit Visa to Explore Investment Opportunities
Investors and entrepreneurs entering to explore business/investment opportunities without a UAE sponsor or host
120 days single entry online valid 120d
Details business
Visit Visa to Explore Investment Opportunities ร Investors and entrepreneurs entering to explore business/investment opportunities without a UAE sponsor or host
120 days single entry online valid 120d
Single-entry visit visa available in 60, 90 or 120-day validity options; no sponsor/host required. Applicant must be financially solvent, talented or highly qualified and a professional in their field, and meet prescribed financial guarantees. Applied via ICP (federal) or GDRFA-Dubai portals. Apply here โ Transit Visa (48 / 96 hours)
Travellers passing through the UAE who wish to leave the airport during a layover
Details transit
Transit Visa (48 / 96 hours) ร Travellers passing through the UAE who wish to leave the airport during a layover
Issued for either 48 or 96 hours; single entry and non-extendable. Sponsored by a UAE-based airline (e.g. Emirates or Etihad) and must be processed and approved before entering the UAE. The 48-hour transit visa is free of charge while the 96-hour transit visa carries a nominal fee. Apply here โ Entertainment Visa
Temporary entry for foreign visitors for leisure/entertainment purposes
Details tourist
Entertainment Visa ร Temporary entry for foreign visitors for leisure/entertainment purposes
One of four new visit-visa categories announced by ICP on 29 September 2025, granted to foreign visitors for temporary stay for leisure purposes. A dedicated ICP service page with exact fee, validity and stay-duration figures was not found as of this check (July 2026); confirm current numbers with ICP/GDRFA before applying.
Apply here โ Cruise and Leisure Boat Tourism Visa
Multiple-entry visa for maritime tourists arriving via cruise ship or leisure boat, sponsored by a licensed UAE tourism establishment
Details tourist
Cruise and Leisure Boat Tourism Visa ร Multiple-entry visa for maritime tourists arriving via cruise ship or leisure boat, sponsored by a licensed UAE tourism establishment
One of four new visit-visa categories announced by ICP on 29 September 2025; requires a tourism itinerary and sponsorship from a licensed UAE tourism establishment. A dedicated ICP service page with exact fee and duration figures was not found as of this check (July 2026); confirm current numbers with ICP/GDRFA before applying.
Apply here โ Employment Visa / Work Permit
Employment in the UAE
multiple entry 5-14d processing ~$270 online valid 730d
Details work
Employment Visa / Work Permit ร Employment in the UAE
multiple entry 5-14d processing ~$270 online valid 730d
Employer-sponsored. Requires job offer from UAE-registered employer. MOHRE work permit + ICP residence visa. Initial 2-year validity, renewable. Fee varies by emirate and employer type. Apply here โ Remote Work / Digital Nomad Visa
Working remotely for overseas employer or business while residing in UAE
365 days multiple entry 1-2d processing ~$57 online valid 365d
Details digital nomad
Remote Work / Digital Nomad Visa ร Working remotely for overseas employer or business while residing in UAE
365 days multiple entry 1-2d processing ~$57 online valid 365d
1-year renewable residence visa (initial 60-day entry permit, then stamped for one year in-country) for people who work remotely for an employer or business based outside the UAE, earning min USD 3,500/month (employees) or USD 5,000/month (business owners), per GDRFA's official Virtual Work visa service page. Requires proof of remote employment/business, health insurance, and clean criminal record. Base government fee AED 200 + 5% VAT (~USD 57); GDRFA states 48-hour processing. Also administered federally via ICP and by other emirates under similar terms. remotework.ae, the previous official portal cited here, has been discontinued and now redirects to a domain-parking/sale page; GDRFA's own service page substituted as the working official source (confirmed July 2026). Apply here โ Golden Visa (Long-term Residence)
Long-term residence for investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, students
multiple entry 30-60d processing ~$540 online valid 3650d
Details investment
Golden Visa (Long-term Residence) ร Long-term residence for investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, students
multiple entry 30-60d processing ~$540 online valid 3650d
10-year renewable residence visa. Categories confirmed on the current ICP Golden Visa page: investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents/researchers, and outstanding students (per Cabinet Resolution 56 of 2018). No UAE sponsor required. Self-sponsored. Official URL corrected: the old icp.gov.ae/en/goldenresidency/ page now 404s; verified working ICP page substituted (confirmed July 2026). Apply here โ Retirement Visa - 5 Years
Retirement residence in UAE
multiple entry 14-30d processing ~$290 online valid 1825d
Details retirement
Retirement Visa - 5 Years ร Retirement residence in UAE
multiple entry 14-30d processing ~$290 online valid 1825d
For retirees aged 55+ (or with 15+ years of work experience inside or outside the UAE). Eligibility requires meeting at least one of: property ownership of AED 1,000,000+, financial savings of AED 1,000,000+, or a monthly income of roughly AED 15,000-20,000 (threshold varies by emirate, higher for Dubai). Renewable 5-year visa; no sponsor required. Corrected property threshold from a previously stated AED 2,000,000+ to the officially confirmed AED 1,000,000+ per the u.ae residence-visa-for-the-retired page. Official URL corrected: the old icp.gov.ae/en/visainformation/ page now 404s; verified working u.ae page substituted (confirmed July 2026). Apply here โ Jobseeker Visit Visa
Foreigners entering to search for employment without needing a host or sponsor
120 days single entry online valid 120d
Details Foreigners entering to search for employment without needing a host or sponsor
120 days single entry online valid 120d
Single-entry visit visa for one trip, in 60, 90 or 120-day validity options; no sponsor required. Eligibility: hold a bachelor's degree and be classified in MOHRE skill levels 1-3, or be a graduate of a top-500 world university within the last 2 years, plus meet prescribed financial guarantees.
Apply here โ Student Residence Visa
Foreign students enrolled at a UAE-accredited university or college
multiple entry online valid 365d
Details student
Student Residence Visa ร Foreign students enrolled at a UAE-accredited university or college
multiple entry online valid 365d
Issued for one year at a time, renewable on proof of continued study. Sponsored either by a UAE-resident parent or by the accredited university/college. Outstanding students may instead qualify for a long-term Golden visa. Requires a study-duration certificate from the institution and a medical fitness test. Apply here โ Family (Dependent) Residence Visa
Residents and citizens sponsoring spouse, children and parents to reside in the UAE
Details family
Family (Dependent) Residence Visa ร Residents and citizens sponsoring spouse, children and parents to reside in the UAE
Expatriate residents may sponsor spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs, subject to a minimum salary of AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation). Green visa holders may sponsor first-degree relatives. UAE citizens may sponsor spouse, parents and children (5-year visa). Dependent visas are tied to the sponsor's residence permit; sponsored members aged 18+ must pass a medical fitness test. Apply here โ Medical Treatment Entry Permit (Patient and Companion)
Foreign patients entering for medical treatment under a licensed UAE hospital's sponsorship, plus an accompanying companion
Details medical
Medical Treatment Entry Permit (Patient and Companion) ร Foreign patients entering for medical treatment under a licensed UAE hospital's sponsorship, plus an accompanying companion
Sponsored by a hospital licensed and registered in the UAE; a financial-security deposit is required. Available as single or multiple entry for 90 or 180 days (Dubai/GDRFA); single-entry permit requires entry within 60 days of issue and allows a 90-day stay, extendable once with a certified medical report. A companion may obtain a matching permit and must enter with the patient. ICP covers Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Apply here โ Green Visa (5-Year Self-Sponsored Residence)
Skilled workers, freelancers/self-employed professionals and investors residing without an employer sponsor
multiple entry online valid 1825d
Details work
Green Visa (5-Year Self-Sponsored Residence) ร Skilled workers, freelancers/self-employed professionals and investors residing without an employer sponsor
multiple entry online valid 1825d
5-year renewable self-sponsored residence permit; holder needs no in-country sponsor and may sponsor spouse and children. Categories: skilled workers (valid contract, bachelor's degree, MOHRE skill levels 1-3, salary AED 15,000+/month); freelancers/self-employed (freelance permit, bachelor's degree or specialised diploma, annual income at least AED 360,000 over the past two years); and investors/partners (proof of investment or partnership and required licences). Applied via ICP Smart Services or GDRFA-Dubai. Apply here โ Blue Visa (10-Year Residence for Environmental Contributors)
Individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to environmental protection and sustainability
multiple entry online valid 3650d
Details work
Blue Visa (10-Year Residence for Environmental Contributors) ร Individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to environmental protection and sustainability
multiple entry online valid 3650d
10-year renewable residence visa with no in-country sponsor required, for supporters of environmental action inside or outside the UAE - members of international organisations and companies, associations and NGOs, global award winners, and distinguished environmental activists and researchers. Launched at the World Governments Summit 2025; applications open to eligible applicants directly with ICP or via nomination by competent UAE authorities.
Apply here โ Artificial Intelligence Specialists Visa
Entry visa for artificial intelligence specialists, for single or multiple visits, sponsored by a UAE-based technology-focused establishment
Details work
Artificial Intelligence Specialists Visa ร Entry visa for artificial intelligence specialists, for single or multiple visits, sponsored by a UAE-based technology-focused establishment
One of four new visit-visa categories announced by ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security) on 29 September 2025. Requires a sponsorship/hosting letter from a UAE tech-focused establishment. A dedicated ICP service page with exact fee, validity and stay-duration figures was not found as of this check (July 2026); confirm current numbers with ICP/GDRFA before applying. Apply here โ Events Visit Visa
Entry to attend a festival, exhibition, conference, seminar, or economic, cultural, sports, religious, community, or educational activity in the UAE
Details Entry to attend a festival, exhibition, conference, seminar, or economic, cultural, sports, religious, community, or educational activity in the UAE
One of four new visit-visa categories announced by ICP on 29 September 2025, for delegates/attendees of qualifying events. A dedicated ICP service page with exact fee, validity and stay-duration figures was not found as of this check (July 2026); confirm current numbers with ICP/GDRFA before applying.
Apply here โ