If you’re thinking of visiting Dubai (and let’s face it, why wouldn’t you?), you’ll need to first get your hands on a short-term visit visa.

But with 11 different types of visit visa available in the UAE, knowing the right one for you can be tricky.

Visit visas allow tourists, job hunters, students and more to stay in Dubai for a period of between 30 to 180 days, depending on the one you get your hands on.

Here, we’ll outline how long you’ll be allowed to visit, what you need to qualify, and the rules you need to know about for each type of visa.

Just be mindful, you’ll need to apply for your visa prior to arrival in the UAE, otherwise you might well face higher fees on arrival inside the UAE.

The 11 visit visas you need to know about

Single-entry tourist visit visa

Visiting Dubai as a tourist is super straightforward, and you’re granted entry for up to either 30 or 60 days depending on what you choose.

All you’ll need to do is supply a personal photo, a copy of your passport and to pay a tourist visa fee of either Dhs200 for a 30-day stay, or Dhs300 for a 60-day stay.

If you’re from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran or Pakistan, you’ll also need to provide your identity card for the country of origin.

Your passport must be valid for no less than six months, you must have a travel ticket to continue your journey outside the UAE and have valid medical insurance during your stay in the country.

And you’ll need to be hosted by an establishment working in the field of tourism – or more plainly a hotel.

If you’re staying with friends or family, there’s another visa you’ll need below.

Multi-entry tourist visa

This is for those of you who simply can’t get enough of all the amazing things to do in Dubai – and keep coming back for more.

You’ll be able to come and go from the UAE multiple times within a period of 30 or 60 days.

Fees are Dhs300 for a 30-day visa and Dhs500 for 60 days, and you’ll also need to pay a Dhs500 fee on arrival in the UAE.

Same as before, you’ll need to supply a personal photo, a copy of your passport, your passport must be valid for at least six months, you must have a ticket to leave the country and valid health insurance during your stay.

If you’re from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran or Pakistan then you’ll also need to provide your identity card for the country of origin.

5-year multi-entry tourist visa

Wow, back for more huh. Don’t worry, we get it.

This one is a bit more pricey, but it does allow you to come and go as you please for up to 180 days every year for five years without the need of a sponsor or guarantor within the UAE.

You’ll be entitled to stays lasting 30, 60 or 90 days at a time. The cost of each will be Dhs300 for 30 days, Dhs500 for 60 days and Dhs700 for 90 days.

To apply you’ll need a personal photo, a valid copy of your passport, a six-month bank statement, health insurance and a round-trip ticket.

You’ll also need to provide a guarantee amount of Dhs2,000, plus a small warranty service fee of Dhs20 and a Dhs40 fee to collect and return the guarantee.

Single-entry visa for visiting a friend or relative

If your friend or a family member currently lives in Dubai, then you can get a single-entry visa to visit them for up to 30, 60 and 90 days without the need for a sponsor or host.

For 30 days it’s Dhs200, 60 days it’s Dhs300 and for 90 days it’s Dhs400. You’ll need to provide a financial security deposit of Dhs1,000, as well as a service fee of Dhs20 and a reimbursement fee of Dhs40.

You’ll need to provide a valid copy of your passport, two personal photos, medical insurance for the duration of your stay and proof of your relationship with the person living in the UAE, such as a letter. A salary certificate of your friend or family member in Dubai will also be required.

If the purpose of the visit is for a foreign wife of a GCC citizen to see her husband, then she should have a valid residence permit in the country where her husband is from.

Multi-entry visa for visiting a friend or relative

If you and your friend or relative are inseparable then this one is for you.

The same parameters apply as above, but you’ll be allowed to visit multiple times over a 30, 60 or 90 day period.

Fees are slightly higher for this one with a 30-day visa costing Dhs300, a 60-day visa at Dhs500, and a 90-day visa at Dhs700.

Student visit visa

If you’re coming to Dubai to study, train or rehabilitate, you can do so for a period of either 30, 60 or 180 days.

You will need a personal photo, a copy of your valid passport and a letter from an educational entity.

A 30-day study visit visa is Dhs200, for 60 days it’s Dhs300 and for 180 days it’ll be Dhs400.

In addition to your fees, you’ll need to provide a financial security deposit of Dhs1,000, which is refundable when you leave the UAE.

Job opportunity visit visa

You’re also able to get a short-term visit visa to explore job opportunities in Dubai. You’ll be able to visit one or more times during either a 60-, 90- or 120-day period without requiring a host or guarantor within the country.

You will need a personal photo, a valid passport and a university degree from one of the top 500 universities in the world according to the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation must also consider you to be a highly skilled worker at either the first, second or third professional level.

For 60 days it’ll cost Dhs200, for 90 days it’s Dhs300 and for 120 days it’s Dhs400. You’ll also need to provide a refundable financial guarantee of Dhs1,000. And if you are visiting for a job opportunity, you’ll need to make sure you have at least Dhs3,000 on you in cash or credit and a return ticket home.

Visit visa for exploring business opportunities

In a similar vein to the job opportunity visa, business people can research and explore business opportunities for single or multiple entries without the need for a sponsor or host in the UAE.

You’ll need two colour personal photos, a valid copy of your passport and proof of your investment.

Business people can get a 60-day visit visa for Dhs200, 90 days for Dhs300 and 120 days for Dhs400.

A refundable security deposit of Dhs1,000 will be required as well as a small service fee of Dhs20 and a reimbursement fee of Dhs40.

A medical visit visa

If you require medical treatment in Dubai then you can get a special visit visa.

You’re entitled to either a 90-day visa for Dhs200 or a 180-day visa for Dhs500. Your sponsor should be a licensed health facility in the UAE.

You will also need to provide a refundable financial security deposit of Dhs1,000 for a single entry, and Dhs2,000 for several trips.

You’ll need to provide a personal photo, valid copy of your passport, an approved medical report and a letter from your host justifying the visit.

A visa may also be granted to the escort or escorts of the patient.

Escorting treatment visit visa

If you are escorting someone who requires medical treatment to Dubai, then you may also be entitled to a short-term visit visa.

The same fees and deposits apply for the same period of time and your stay is tied to the patient’s visa. You’ll also need to provide a personal photo, valid copy of your passport, copy of the patient’s visa and a letter from the hospital justifying your visit.

Multiple entry visit visa for truck drivers

If you’re a truck driver from land ports or from the UAE embassies abroad, then you can get a special visa for transporting goods to the UAE.

You’ll need a personal photo, a valid passport, proof of a relationship with a shipping company inside the UAE, driving license and vehicle license.

For 30 days it’s Dhs300, 60 days it’s Dhs500 and for 90 days it’s Dhs700. You’ll need to provide a financial security deposit for Dhs2,000, and a deposit service fee of Dhs20 and reimbursement fee of Dhs40.

To keep up to date with all the latest visa requirements, it’s best to check the Government of Dubai before booking your flight.

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