🇸🇿→🇦🇪Eswatini→United Arab Emirates

90 daysmultiple entry3-7d processingvalid 1825donline

Repeated tourism and short visits over 5 years

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).

multiple entryonline

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.

single entryonline

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.

30 dayssingle entry1-3d processingvalid 60donline

Tourism and short visits

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).

60 dayssingle entry1-3d processingvalid 60donline

Extended tourism and visits

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).

120 dayssingle entryvalid 120donline

Investors and entrepreneurs entering to explore business/investment opportunities without a UAE sponsor or host

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.

4 dayssingle entryonline

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.

90 daysvalid 180donline

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.

multiple entryonline

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.

multiple entryvalid 365donline

Foreign students enrolled at a UAE-accredited university or college

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.

multiple entryonline

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.

multiple entryvalid 3650donline

Individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to environmental protection and sustainability

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.

multiple entry5-14d processingvalid 730donline

Employment in the UAE

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.

multiple entryvalid 1825donline

Skilled workers, freelancers/self-employed professionals and investors residing without an employer sponsor

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.

120 dayssingle entryvalid 120donline

Foreigners entering to search for employment without needing a host or sponsor

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.

single entryonline

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.

multiple entry30-60d processingvalid 3650donline

Long-term residence for investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, students

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).

365 daysmultiple entry1-2d processingvalid 365donline

Working remotely for overseas employer or business while residing in UAE

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).

multiple entry14-30d processingvalid 1825donline

Retirement residence in UAE

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).