With so many options, forms, and documentation needed, applying for a UAE visa can feel like a daunting task. The process of getting a UAE visa gets much easier, however, once you know what kind of visa to apply for. You can get a short-term visa based on your country’s qualifications, obtain a short or long-term visa with a UAE-based sponsor, or apply for a long-term visa without a sponsor.
StepsMethod 1Method 1 of 3:Getting a Short-Term Visa
1Get a 30-day visa on arrival if you are from a qualifying country. If you have a valid passport from a qualifying country, you do not need to apply for a visa ahead of time. Instead, upon arriving in the UAE, your passport will be stamped with a 30-day visa stamp as you go through immigration at the airport. There are 20 countries that qualify for a 30-day visa on arrival. For the complete list, visit: https://government.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/do-you-need-an-entry-permit-or-a-visa-to-enter-the-uae.This type of visa is issued free of charge. This visa is a single-entry visa. If you need to leave the UAE and return again, you will need to go through immigration again and get a new visa stamp.
2Obtain a 90-day visa on arrival if you are from Europe. If you have a valid passport from any country in Europe aside from the UK, you can obtain a visa upon arriving in the UAE. As you go through immigration, your passport will be stamped with a visa stamp that is valid for 90 days.XThis is a multiple entry visa that is valid for 6 months. This means that you can leave and re-enter the UAE without needing a new visa over the course of 6 months as long as you do not stay in the UAE for more than 90 days total over the duration of that 6-month period.90-day visas for European travelers are issued free of charge. While this visa is usually available for all countries in Europe (aside from the UK), the UAE government may change which European countries are eligible at any time. Therefore, make sure that you check with the UAE embassy at https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/.
3Apply online if you are an Indian citizen living in the US or Europe. If you are a citizen of the Republic of India and you have been living legally in the United States or Europe, you can apply for and receive your visa online ahead of time.X To apply, fill out the application at: https://smartservices.ica.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/issueVisa/request/432/step1?administrativeRegionId=1&withException=false.This visa costs 100 AED or approximately $27 and is valid for 14 days.XMethod 2Method 2 of 3:Applying for a Sponsored Visa
1Get a visit or tourism visa sponsored by a UAE citizen. If you plan to stay in the UAE for longer than an on-arrival visa allows, or if your country does not qualify for an on-arrival visa, you can obtain a visit or tourism visa by having a friend or relative who is a UAE citizen sponsor your application.X To do this, your friend or relative will need to present the following to their local General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) office: a recent photo of you, a copy of your passport, proof that you have signed up for health insurance with a UAE-based insurance company, and a refundable financial guarantee of 1,000 AED (approximately $272) for your entry permit.There are GDRFA offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.XThe amount of time that visas sponsored by a UAE citizen are valid varies greatly and depends on the specific circumstances of the applicant.
2Apply for a tourist or visit visa sponsored by a UAE expat resident. If you have a first-degree relative living as an expat resident in the UAE, your relative can sponsor your UAE visa.X To sponsor your application, your relative will need to present the following to their local GDRFA office: a recent photo of you, a copy of your passport, proof of health insurance with a UAE-based insurance company, a refundable financial guarantee of 1,000 AED (approximately $272) for your entry permit, proof of their salary and employment contract, copy of their residency permit, proof of their housing contract, and a recent electricity bill.If your expat resident sponsor is your spouse, they will also need to present a copy of your marriage certificate.According to the UAE’s regulations, first-degree relatives include spouses, children, parents, sisters, or brothers.XThe length of time that visas sponsored by UAE expats with residency permits are valid varies depending on the specific situation. 
3Get a tourist or visit visa sponsored by a UAE-based airline. If you do not have a friend or relative who can sponsor your visa, you can apply to have one of the 4 UAE-based airlines sponsor your visa. Each airline has their own application process, policies, and conditions of sponsorship. Information about the visa-sponsorship services for each airline can be found at the following websites:Etihad Airways: https://www.etihad.com/en-ae/before-you-fly/visas/Emirates Airline: https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visas/index.aspxFly Dubai: https://www.flydubai.com/en/plan/visas-and-passports/uae-visasAir Arabia: https://www.airarabia.com/en/visa-and-passport-informationThe amount of time that visas sponsored by an airline are valid varies depending on the airline’s policy. Etihad Airways, for example, will sponsor a visa that is valid for up to 90 days.X
4Obtain a tourist or visit visa sponsored by a hotel or travel agency. Many licensed travel agencies and hotels will sponsor your application for a UAE visa if you book your travel through their services. Tourist and visit visas that are sponsored by an agency or hotel are valid for 30 days and are extendable for 30 to 40 days, depending on the situation.XThere are, unfortunately, several scammers who offer sponsorship in order to obtain your personal information and/or money. Before providing any or your information, documentation, or payment to a travel agency or hotel, make sure that the agency or hotel is 100% genuine by asking a representative at your country’s UAE embassy for verification.X
5Have a government entity sponsor your work visa. If you plan to work for a government entity in the UAE, either in the short-term or long-term, that entity can apply for a work visa on your behalf. Examples of government entities that can apply for a work visa on your behalf include the UAE’s federal ministries, government agencies, and the Courts of Rulers and their representatives.If you get a sponsored visa to work in the UAE, you will be required to undergo medical testing for HIV and tuberculosis once you arrive in the UAE. If you test positive to either, you will be deported from the UAE.X
6Apply for a work visa sponsored by a private company. If you have been offered a job with a private company on the mainland or in one of the 47 free-trade zones in the UAE, the company can first sponsor a 30-day work visa for you.X After 30 days, your company must apply for a residence work visa on your behalf, which can be obtained through the Ministry of Interior.XTo obtain your initial work visa, your employer must provide the following to their local GDRFA: an initial work permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, a copy of your passport, a copy of the company’s trade license, a copy of the company’s establishment card, and a copy of the card of the company’s Public Relations Officer.If you get a sponsored visa to work in the UAE, you will be required to undergo medical testing for HIV and tuberculosis once you arrive in the UAE. If you test positive to either, you will be deported from the UAE.XMethod 3Method 3 of 3:Obtaining a Long-Term Visa Without a Sponsor
1Try for a 5-year visa if you want to start a company in the UAE. You can apply to get a long-term entrepreneur visa without a sponsor if you want to start a company in the UAE. In order to qualify for this type of visa, you will need to invest a minimum of 500,000 AED (approximately $136,000) in an existing project in the UAE, or in an approved and accredited new business in the country.XThis visa is a multi-entry visa that needs to be renewed every six months.An entrepreneur visa allows you to bring your spouse, children, 1 business partner, and 3 executives into the UAE with you for as long as your visa is valid.To apply for an entrepreneur visa, visit: https://government.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/where-to-apply-for-entry-permits-or-visas.
2Apply for a 5-year visa if you excelled as a student. If you graduated from high school with a minimum average of 95%, and/or graduated from a university with a grade point average of at least a 3.75, you can apply for a UAE long-term visa as an outstanding student.X This visa provides entry into the UAE for both you and your immediate family.The UAE does not provide information on how recently you need to have graduated in order to qualify for an outstanding student visa.To apply for an outstanding student visa, visit: https://government.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/where-to-apply-for-entry-permits-or-visas.
3Obtain a 5-year visa if you want to invest in real estate in the UAE. If you want to invest in real estate in the UAE, you may be able to get a non-sponsored 5-year real estate investment visa. To qualify for this visa, you will need to invest at least 5 million AED (approximately $1.36 million USD) in property within the UAE.X The money that you use to make this investment cannot be loaned, and you must retain the property for at least 3 years for your visa to remain valid.To apply for a real estate investor visa, visit: https://government.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/where-to-apply-for-entry-permits-or-visas.
4Get a 10-year visa if you want to make a non-real estate investment. To get a long-term visa without a sponsor, you can apply for the UAE’s visa program as a non-real estate investor.X To qualify for this visa, you will need to make an investment of at least 10 million AED ( approximately $2.7 million USD) inside the UAE. This investment can be in the form of an investment deposit, a new company, an investment with an existing UAE company, or a combination of any of these options. To qualify for this visa, the amount that you invest in the UAE cannot be a loan.XTo apply for an investor visa, visit: https://government.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/where-to-apply-for-entry-permits-or-visas.
5Apply for a 10-year visa if you have a specialized talent. If you work in a field that is prioritized by the UAE government, you may be able to qualify for a 10-year specialized talent visa. If you qualify, this visa allows you to bring your spouse and children with you to the UAE as long as your visa is valid.Scientists who gain accreditation from the Emirates Scientists Council can qualify for a specialized talent visa.If you work in a cultural field, such as the arts, you can qualify for a specialized talent visa by gaining accreditation from the UAE’s Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development.If you invent a patented item of value to the UAE’s economy and get approval from the Ministry of Economy, you may be able to qualify for this visa.To qualify for this visa as a researcher or doctor, you must have received a PhD or MD from one of the top 500 universities in the world, won an award for your work, published a book or article in a respected journal, and have at least 10 years of professional experience.XTo apply for a specialized talent visa, visit: https://government.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/where-to-apply-for-entry-permits-or-visas.
