Below are the most common questions travelers ask about applying for a UAE visa. We have provided clear and simple answers to help you understand requirements, processing times, visa types, and important rules when entering Dubai or any other emirate in the UAE.
Most nationalities require a UAE entry visa unless they are from visa-exempt or visa-on-arrival countries. Citizens from the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Singapore, and several others may get a visa on arrival. All other nationalities must apply for an e-Visa before traveling.
Standard processing typically takes 1–3 business days. Urgent applications may be processed in as little as 6–12 hours, depending on government workload. Weekends in the UAE are Saturday–Sunday, which may affect processing time.
The basic required documents are:
The most common visas allow:
Some visas can be extended once for an additional 30 days.
Yes. Most UAE tourist visas can be extended for 30 days without leaving the country. However, visa-on-arrival extensions depend on nationality. Overstaying without extension results in fines of approximately AED 50–100 per day.
No. Working under a tourist visa is strictly prohibited. To work legally, you must obtain a UAE Work Visa sponsored by an employer.
If your application is rejected due to immigration rules or security checks, the UAE Government does not refund the government fee. However, Govis AE refunds our service fee according to our Refund Policy.
Yes. Children and infants must also have a UAE visa. Their application requires a birth certificate and passports of both parents.
A visa allows you to travel to the UAE, but the final entry decision is made by immigration officers at the port of entry. This is standard procedure in all countries.
Yes. A flight booking is not always required during the application stage, but you must have a confirmed return ticket before traveling.