Dubai is one of the world's most visited cities, and for many travellers the first step is a UAE visa. The good news: for most trips, you can apply online without visiting an embassy.
Do you need a visa?
It depends on your passport. Some nationalities can get a visa on arrival or enter visa-free, while others must apply before travelling. Rules change, so always check the latest requirements for your nationality with official UAE sources or your airline before you book.
Visa types
Tourist visas are the most common. Apply e-Visa Dubai offers six options:
| Visa | Good for |
|---|---|
| 96-hour transit | Stopovers |
| 14-day tourist | Short trips and business visits |
| 30-day tourist | Holidays and family visits |
| 60-day tourist | Longer stays |
| 30 or 60-day multiple entry | Frequent travel in and out of the UAE |
Documents you'll usually need
- A passport scan, usually valid for at least six months from your arrival date
- A recent passport-style photo on a plain background
- Sometimes, supporting documents such as a return ticket or accommodation details
A good service checks your documents before submission, which is where most delays come from: blurry scans, cropped photos or expired passports.
Private services vs government portals
You can apply through official channels, or use a private service that prepares and submits your application for you. Private services charge a service fee on top of government immigration charges, in return for document checks, a simpler form and support.
A trustworthy private visa service always says it is not a government website, and shows its fees before you pay.
Apply e-Visa Dubai is a private service, run by VMatrix with our licensed partner Brillsmac Consultants and Tourism L.L.C-FZ, Dubai. It isn't affiliated with GDRFA Dubai. Applications are typically submitted to immigration within 24 to 72 hours. Start on applyevisadubai.ae.
Founder, VMatrix