United Arab Emirates e-Visa

Overview

United Arab Emirates e-Visa questions

• Do US citizens or other nationalities need a UAE e-Visa?

  It depends on your passport. Several nationalities, including US, UK, EU, Canadian and Australian travellers, can enter on a visa on arrival for short stays, while others need a pre-arranged visa. This service covers travellers who hold a residence permit in a GCC state (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar or Oman) and whose nationality needs a UAE entry permit; if that is your situation, your application is prepared and reviewed before it is submitted to the authority.

• Is a visa on arrival the same as the e-Visa?

  No. A visa on arrival is granted at the border to eligible nationalities, while the e-Visa is arranged online before you fly and is issued electronically. The e-Visa is the right route when your nationality needs a pre-arranged visa, when you want a longer or multiple-entry stay, or when you prefer the certainty of approval before departure. We confirm which applies to you.

• How much is the UAE e-Visa?

  You pay one all-inclusive price. It covers the government fee paid to the UAE Federal Authority that issues the e-Visa and our service preparing your application in your language and reviewing it before submission; the government portion is itemised on your receipt. The government fee is non-refundable; our service fee is refunded in most denial scenarios outside your control. The exact government fee depends on your nationality, so the amount on your receipt may be adjusted.

• How long does the UAE e-Visa take?

  The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security typically issues e-Visas within 1 to 5 business days. Our Priority tier reviews your application within 6 hours, and Urgent ships it the same day with status tracking, though the authority's own decision time still applies. Applying a few days before travel is sensible.

• How long is the UAE e-Visa valid?

  The e-Visa is valid for up to 60 days, with 30-day and 60-day options on single-entry or multiple-entry visas. A multiple-entry visa allows several visits within the validity window. The validity is the period in which you may enter; your permitted stay follows the option you choose. Sponsored visas through an Emirates resident follow a different procedure.

• Should I choose the 30-day or the 60-day option?

  Choose the option that matches your trip. The 30-day visa suits a standard holiday or short business visit, while the 60-day visa gives more room for an extended stay or a multi-Emirate itinerary. Either is available as single-entry or multiple-entry, and our wizard helps you pick the right combination before you apply so you are not caught short.

• What are the UAE e-Visa photo requirements?

  You provide a recent colour passport photograph against a plain light background, with your full face clearly visible and no hat or non-medical sunglasses. Our specialists check the photo during the pre-submission review and flag one that is too dark, blurred or cropped, so a common reason for delay is caught before your application is submitted.

• Is VisitPass official, and how does this work?

  VisitPass is an independent service, not a government website. We prepare and review your application in your language, then submit it to the official UAE authority and track it for you. The government fee goes to the UAE Federal Authority that issues the e-Visa; our service fee covers the preparation and review of your application before submission.

• Is the e-Visa valid for all Emirates?

  Yes. The UAE federal e-Visa is valid for entry through all UAE airports and ports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the others, and lets you travel freely between the seven Emirates once you are admitted. There is no separate visa for each Emirate for a normal visit.

• Can I extend my UAE e-Visa or stay longer?

  Extensions are handled inside the UAE by the immigration authorities, not through this application, and are not guaranteed. If you already know you need more time, it is usually better to apply for the 60-day option or a multiple-entry visa from the start. For long-term stays, work or study, a separate UAE visa or residence permit applies.

• Do I need an e-Visa for a transit or stopover in Dubai?

  If you only connect airside without passing immigration, you generally do not need an entry visa, though a dedicated transit visa exists for longer layovers where you wish to leave the airport. If you plan to exit the terminal or stay overnight, you need the right entry permission. Before booking, check whether your layover requires passing immigration, and arrange the right permission if it does.

• What happens if my UAE e-Visa is refused?

  A refusal usually means the visa type or the supporting information was not right for that trip, and the UAE authority does not always give a detailed reason. Where a refusal is outside your control our service fee is refunded; the government fee is paid to the authority and is non-refundable. We review your application carefully beforehand to reduce avoidable refusals.

• How can I avoid having my UAE e-Visa refused?

  Most avoidable problems come from small data errors: a name spelled differently from the passport, a wrong passport number or expiry, or a blurry photo. Keep your passport valid for the whole trip and make your details match it exactly. We review your application for completeness and obvious mistakes before it reaches the authority, so it is submitted correctly the first time.

• Do I need to show proof of funds or a hotel booking for the UAE?

  Your e-Visa covers the entry authorisation, but a border officer may still ask to see your return or onward ticket, where you are staying, and that you have enough money for the trip. It helps to carry a hotel reservation and a card or recent statement. We tell you what to have ready and prepare your application so the entry side is in order before you fly.

• Which nationalities need a UAE e-Visa rather than a visa on arrival?

  Many Western passport holders enter on a visa on arrival for short stays, while travellers from a long list of other countries must arrange a visa before flying. This service covers the e-Visa route for GCC residents: travellers who hold a residence permit in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar or Oman and whose nationality needs a UAE entry permit, with the application prepared in your language and reviewed before submission.

• When should I apply for the UAE e-Visa?

  Apply once your travel dates are firm and your passport is valid for the whole trip. The UAE Federal Authority usually decides within 1 to 5 business days, so a week or two before departure leaves a comfortable margin. Busy travel periods and holidays can add time, so do not leave it to the last days. For short-notice travel, Priority and Urgent tiers are available.

• Can I apply for the UAE e-Visa as a GCC resident?

  Yes. This route is for travellers who hold a valid residence permit in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar or Oman and whose nationality otherwise needs a UAE entry permit. You provide your residence permit details and a guarantor in your country of residence, and the application is reviewed for completeness before it is submitted to the UAE authority.

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