How long does a UAE tourist visa take to process in 2026?

Standard applications are approved within minutes to 48 hours; allow three days for safety during busy months.

Can I apply for a UAE visiting visa without a hotel booking?

ICP now accepts a travel itinerary and proof of funds instead of a confirmed booking for most nationalities.

What is the cost of a 30-day UAE tourist visa?

AED 300 for a single-entry 30-day visa, payable online by card; multiple-entry options cost AED 1,200.

Do I need a medical test for a short tourist visit?

No medical test is required for 30- or 60-day tourist visas; only 90-day or longer visas need the DHA fitness test.

Can I extend my UAE tourist visa after arrival?

Yes, one 30-day extension is allowed for AED 600 plus typing fee; apply via ICP before your current visa expires.

How to Apply for Visiting Visa to UAE in 2026

Quick answer

Most tourists apply for a 30- or 60-day UAE visiting visa online through ICP or airlines; you need a passport valid six months, a photo, and payment of around AED 300–600 depending on duration and whether you need a medical test.

Who needs a visiting visa and who is exempt

Passport holders from 50+ countries receive visa-on-arrival or can apply for a 30-day free entry. Everyone else must secure a visiting visa before travel. The visa is single or multiple entry, sponsored either by an airline, hotel, or tour operator, or applied for directly via ICP’s online portal.

2026 visa-on-arrival countries snapshot

EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, GCC states and others.
Duration: usually 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days inside the UAE.

Step-by-step: how to apply for a visiting visa to UAE online

Visit the ICP portal (icp.gov.ae) or GDRFA-Dubai site and create an account.
Choose “Entry Permit – Tourist” and pick 30 or 60 days.
Upload colour passport scan (minimum six months validity), white-background photo (5×5 cm), and flight/hotel booking.
Pay the fee by card: AED 300 for 30 days, AED 600 for 60 days; express service adds AED 100.
Receive PDF visa via email within minutes to 48 hours; print or save on your phone.
At immigration, present the visa, return ticket, and proof of funds (AED 3,000 or valid card) if asked.

Airline-sponsored tourist visa: what changes

Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia and Wizz Air let you add a visa when booking a ticket. The process is almost identical, but you pay the airline directly and the visa is often delivered the same day. The fee stays AED 300–600, plus any service markup of AED 50–100.

Medical fitness test: who needs it in 2026

Visitors staying longer than 60 days, or applying for a 90-day visa, must complete a blood test for HIV, hepatitis B & C, tuberculosis and syphilis at an approved DHA centre. Cost is AED 520–720. The test is valid 30 days from the blood draw.

Visa fees & processing times 2026

Visa type	Fee (AED)	Processing
30-day single entry	300	Instant–24 h
60-day single entry	600	Instant–48 h
90-day with medical	900 + 520 test	2–5 days
Multiple-entry 60 days	1,200	3–5 days

Always verify current fee with ICP before payment; prices above are the standard published rates at time of writing.

Common mistakes to avoid

Applying too late—peak season (Oct–Apr) can see 48-hour delays.
Uploading a passport with less than six months validity.
Choosing the wrong sponsor; hotel visas are non-refundable if you cancel the booking.
Forgetting to carry printed return ticket at immigration.

Extending or converting your visa inside the UAE

You can extend a 30-day visa once for another 30 days via ICP app or Amer centres. Fee AED 600 + AED 50 typing. Overstaying costs AED 50 per day for the first 10 days, AED 100 per day thereafter.

Entry rules for families and children 2026

Children under 18 need their own visa unless on a parent’s visa-on-arrival. If both parents travel, either can sponsor; single parents must carry a consent letter from the other parent apostilled if required by their embassy.

Key takeaway

Applying for a visiting visa to the UAE is straightforward in 2026: use ICP or your airline, keep your passport valid, pay the fee online, and carry proof of onward travel. Start the process at least three days before departure to avoid peak-season hiccups and enjoy a smooth entry into the Emirates.