How to Apply for 90 Days Visit Visa Dubai 2026

Quick answer

Apply for a 90-day Dubai visit visa online through ICP, airlines, or approved hotels. You need a sponsor (hotel, airline, or relative), a passport valid six months, and pay AED 300–600. Processing takes 2–5 working days. Always verify fees directly with ICP or your sponsor before paying.

Who needs a 90-day visit visa?

Most nationalities receive 30 or 60 days on arrival. Citizens of 87 countries can apply for a 90-day multiple-entry visa if they want longer or repeated stays. This visa lets you spend up to 90 days total in any 180-day period and is popular with digital nomads and frequent visitors.

Step-by-step: how to apply in 2026

1. Confirm your nationality eligibility

Check the ICP website or the GDRFA Dubai portal. The list of eligible passports is updated quarterly. If your country is not listed, you must apply for a standard 60-day visa and extend inside the UAE.

2. Choose your sponsor

You cannot apply directly. Pick one of these approved sponsors:

• Airline (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia)
• Hotel or tour operator registered with Dubai Tourism
• UAE resident relative with an Emirates ID

3. Gather required documents

Have these ready as colour scans or clear photos:

• Passport valid for at least six months from arrival
• Recent passport-size photo (white background, 4.5 × 3.5 cm)
• Return or onward ticket (some sponsors require it)
• Proof of accommodation for the first 30 days (hotel booking or tenancy contract)
• Bank statement or salary certificate showing AED 15,000+ balance (hotel sponsors may waive this)

4. Submit the application

Three main routes exist in 2026:

1. Online via ICP or GDRFA portal – fastest for most tourists; pay by card, receive PDF visa within 48 hours.
2. Through airline website – select “visa on ticket” at booking or add later; price includes service fee.
3. Via hotel – request when booking; they submit to ICP and email the visa link.

5. Pay the fees

Typical 2026 costs (verify current fee with ICP):

• Single-entry 90-day visa: AED 300–400
• Multiple-entry 90-day visa (6 months validity): AED 550–600
• ICP service & knowledge fee: AED 122
• Optional medical fitness test if extending: AED 750 at DHA-approved centres

6. Receive and print your visa

Once approved, download the PDF and print two copies. You will also receive an email with a QR code for immigration gates. No stamping is required at Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Al Maktoum (DWC).

Common mistakes expats make

• Booking a non-refundable ticket before the visa is approved.
• Using a passport valid for less than six months.
• Forgetting to buy travel insurance that covers the full 90 days.
• Assuming automatic extensions; overstays cost AED 50 per day after grace period.

Extension options inside the UAE

If you need more than 90 days, apply for a 30-day extension at any Amer centre before your visa expires. Cost is AED 600 plus typing fee. Two extensions are allowed, giving a maximum continuous stay of 150 days on a visit visa.

Tips for a smooth application

• Apply at least 14 days before travel.
• Use a credit card with no foreign-transaction fees to pay ICP directly.
• Keep a digital copy of every document in a secure cloud folder.
• If sponsored by a relative, ask them to use the GDRFA “Visa Application for Relatives” service to avoid extra typing charges.

Comparison: 90-day visa vs. 60-day visa vs. visa on arrival

Key takeaway

Applying for a 90-day Dubai visit visa is straightforward when you use an approved sponsor and double-check passport validity and fees on the official ICP portal. Start early, keep digital copies, and plan your insurance and onward travel to enjoy a stress-free stay in the UAE.