Planning a trip to Dubai or anywhere in the UAE? This covers the real tourist visa options, what they actually cost you in time if you overstay, and the official channels to apply through. It’s checked against u.ae and ICP.
Tourist visa options at a glance
| Visa type | Stay per entry | Extendable | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day tourist visa | 30 days | Twice, 30 days each (120-day total cap) | 48 to 72 hours |
| 60-day tourist visa | 60 days | Once, 30 days (120-day total cap) | 48 to 72 hours |
| 5-year multiple-entry visa | 90 days per visit, self-sponsored | A further 90 days per visit | 3 to 5 working days |
| Transit visa | 48 or 96 hours | Not extendable | Tied to onward travel booking |
Whichever length you start with, the total time you can spend in the UAE on a tourist visa in one stretch is capped at 120 days, extensions included. The 5-year visa works differently: it’s not a single long stay but repeated 90-day visits over five years, extendable to 180 days per individual visit.
There’s no grace period, and the fine is AED 50 a day
This is the part most guides skip. Unlike a residence visa, a tourist or visit visa gets no grace period at all. The AED 50 daily overstay fine starts the day after your visa or your last approved extension expires, not after some buffer window. If you’re past 30 days overstayed, you’ll also need an exit permit before you can leave. Set a reminder well before your expiry date rather than counting on any leeway. Not sure which visa suits your trip? Our tourist visa chooser by traveller type matches the visa to the trip.
How to apply
Apply through ICP Smart Services for most emirates, or GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas. The 5-year multiple-entry visa is only available directly through ICP. You can also apply through a UAE airline (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia) when you book a flight, or through an authorised hotel or travel agency. Stick to one of these official routes; a site charging a markup for a “guaranteed” visa isn’t an official channel.
What you’ll need
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- A recent passport photo on a white background
- Proof of onward or return travel
- Accommodation proof (a hotel booking, or an invitation if staying with family or friends)
- Evidence you can support yourself financially during the stay
Requirements can vary by nationality, so confirm the exact list for your passport on ICP or GDRFA Dubai before paying any fee.
Extending your stay
Extensions are done in-country, no need to leave the UAE. Apply through the same authority that issued your visa, ICP or GDRFA Dubai, before it expires. Once you hit the 120-day total cap on a 30 or 60-day visa, you’ll need to exit and apply fresh rather than extend again.
One rule that never changes: you can’t work
A tourist visa doesn’t permit paid employment, full stop, regardless of how long you extend it for. If your plans shift toward a job or long-term residency, that’s a different visa category and a different application, not an extension of your tourist visa.
If you’re worried you might already be past your legal stay, our UAE overstay fine guide covers exactly how the daily fine adds up and how to check and pay it.
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