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You can apply for a Dubai visit visa online through four routes: GDRFA or ICP smart services, the UAE airline you fly with, a hotel, or a licensed travel agency. Tourist visas need a licensed tourism establishment as sponsor. GDRFA charges AED 210 for a 30-day single entry visa with VAT, processes in 48 hours, and the e-visa arrives by email.
UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas, u.ae says. Everything happens online.
The four ways to apply, and who each one suits
1. GDRFA smart services (Dubai)
GDRFA's online services cover visas issued in Dubai. A UAE resident can sponsor a relative or friend here directly. The tourist visa itself has a licensed Dubai tourism establishment as its sponsor, so a tourist on their own cannot be the applicant for it. Indian citizens holding a US visa or green card, or UK or EU residence, can request the 14-day visa on arrival online through GDRFA.
2. ICP smart services (other emirates)
ICP uses a UAE Pass login. It handles the relative visit visa, extensions, the 60-day visa for certain nationalities living abroad, and application tracking. Use it if your visa is for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or the northern emirates.
3. Your airline
Emirates arranges visas for passengers with an Emirates return ticket (ticket numbers start with 176). It wants your ticket and a hotel booking or a relative's tenancy contract. Allow about 2 to 4 working days, and apply at least 4 international working days before arrival. The visa is valid 60 days from issue to enter, and the airline does not refund the fee once processed.
4. A licensed agency or hotel
The u.ae tourist visa page names licensed travel agents and hotels as routes. They file the tourist visa for you as sponsor. This is the usual way for travellers who fly a non-UAE airline.
Official and airline fees
| Route | Visa | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| GDRFA | 30 days single entry | AED 200 + VAT = AED 210 |
| GDRFA | 60 days single entry | AED 300 + VAT = AED 315 |
| GDRFA | 30 days multiple entry | AED 300 + VAT = AED 315 |
| GDRFA | 60 days multiple entry | AED 500 + VAT = AED 525 |
| Emirates | 30 days single / multiple | USD 90 / USD 136 |
| Emirates | 60 days single / multiple | USD 177 / USD 231 |
Source: GDRFA tourist visa service pages and the Emirates UAE visa page, checked . Emirates prices include VAT and are the airline's prices.
If you are already in the UAE when a new visa is issued, GDRFA adds AED 500, AED 10 and AED 10.
What Dubai agencies charge
Dubai visa agencies publish about AED 340 to AED 800 for a 30-day single entry visa (published prices of 8 Dubai agencies, checked ). The government part is the same for all of them; the rest is the agency's service.
What to upload
- Passport data page, in colour, all four corners visible, valid at least 6 months.
- Photo, ICAO standard: recent, white background, clear face and eyes, no shadows, no hat or sunglasses, neutral face.
- Return or onward ticket.
- Health insurance valid in the UAE. GDRFA asks for it on the tourist visa.
- National ID copy for Iraqi, Iranian and Afghan passports.
- For a relative visa: the host's details and proof of the relationship.
Our Dubai visa photo requirements page shows how to take a photo that passes, and Dubai visa requirements lists documents by visa type.
Steps from form to e-visa
- Choose the visa: length, single or multiple entry.
- Fill the form with names exactly as in the passport.
- Upload clear, full-colour scans.
- Pay online and save the application number.
- Watch your email. GDRFA states 48 hours and ICP states 2 days after the file is complete.
- Check the e-visa: name, passport number, date of birth, nationality.
- Print it. Immigration can ask for it at the eye screening.
Upload mistakes that send files back
- Phone photo of the passport with glare over the number line.
- Selfie as the visa photo, with a coloured wall behind.
- Middle name dropped, so the name differs from the passport.
- Passport with less than 6 months left on the day you land.
- Insurance that does not cover the UAE.
- A request left waiting: missing papers not added within 30 days cancel it.
Processing time and tracking
GDRFA visit visas take 48 hours, ICP 2 days, Emirates about 2 to 4 working days. Track ICP files on the ICP application tracking page and Dubai files on the GDRFA status inquiry. More detail on Dubai visa processing time and Dubai visa status check.
When ICP does refund fees, only the issuance fee comes back. Application and smart services fees stay with ICP.
How it works with us
Doing it yourself is fine if you fly Emirates or have a resident host. If not, or you would rather not, send your passport scan and photo on WhatsApp or upload them in the form on this page. A visa adviser checks the photo and scans before anything is filed, so the file does not bounce back. You get one total price before you pay. The team submits the application, follows it with GDRFA or ICP and emails the e-visa to you, ready to print. DubaiVisaDesk.com is a private visa service, not a government channel, and the authorities decide every visa.
If the visa is refused, the government fees are not returned by the authorities. Before you pay, the adviser tells you in writing what part of our total, if any, you get back.
Official sources
- u.ae tourist visa: routes, no tourist visas at embassies.
- GDRFA single-entry tourist visa: fees, sponsor, documents, 48 hours.
- ICP FAQ: photo standard, tourist visa by email.
- ICP application tracking: track an ICP visa.
- GDRFA status inquiry: check a Dubai visa.
- Emirates UAE visa information: airline route, prices, timing.
Checked . Check the official page before you pay.
