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Iranian citizens need a UAE visa issued before travel, and GDRFA asks for a copy of the Iranian national ID card with the tourist visa file. The 30-day tourist visa fee is AED 210. The bigger question is entry itself: in airlines reported a ban on Iranian nationals entering or transiting the UAE. Its current status is unknown, so confirm it before you pay anything.
Can Iranians enter the UAE now?
Here is what is known, with the source type for each point.
- Airline notice, . Reuters reported that the Emirates website said Iranian nationals were not allowed to enter or transit the UAE. Exemptions included UAE Golden Visa holders, spouses of UAE nationals and some professions. UAE carriers published similar restrictions. This is an airline rule reported by the media. We found no government text behind it.
- MOFA statement, . The UAE foreign ministry called the Iranian community in the UAE "integral" and referred to "inaccurate media claims" about residency. It said nothing about entry for visitors.
- Flights, . UAE aviation authorities suspended Iranian airlines from flying to and from the UAE, according to Al Jazeera.
What we do not know: whether the airline ban is still applied, and to whom. We could not find a notice lifting it as of . Until that is clear, the safe order is: check the entry rule with your airline, then apply for the visa, then buy the ticket.
The national ID rule
GDRFA's tourist visa conditions ask for an identity card from the country of origin for some nationalities, and Iran is listed. For you that means the kart-e melli.
- Scan the card in colour, both sides if your card has details on the back.
- The name and date of birth must match the passport.
- An expired or unreadable card can get the file returned.
The Emirates airline list of extra documents names Afghanistan and Iraq but not Iran. That list goes by country of residence, while GDRFA goes by nationality. Send the copy anyway: GDRFA is the one deciding a Dubai tourist visa.
Visa options and fees
| Visa | Who files it | Government fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist, 30 days, single entry | Dubai tourism company | AED 210 |
| Tourist, 60 days, single entry | Dubai tourism company | AED 315 |
| Tourist, 60 days, multiple entry | Dubai tourism company | AED 525 |
| Visit visa from a UAE relative | The relative, via ICP | AED 100 application, AED 100 per month, AED 100 smart services, AED 20 deposit fee, AED 1,000 guarantee |
| 5-year multiple entry tourist | ICP | AED 3,720 in total, including a AED 3,000 refundable guarantee |
Source: GDRFA and ICP service pages, checked .
Dubai agencies publish about AED 340 to AED 800 for a 30-day single entry tourist visa (prices of 8 agencies, checked ). That includes their own fee on top of the AED 210.
Frequent business visitors
Traders who come often look at the 5-year Dubai visa. ICP allows up to 90 days per stay and 180 days a year, and asks for a bank balance of USD 4,000 across the last 6 months plus UAE health insurance. For one longer trip, the 60-day Dubai visa is simpler.
Documents checklist
- Iranian passport valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date.
- National ID card copy.
- Photo on a white background.
- Return or onward ticket, from an airline that currently carries Iranian nationals to the UAE.
- Health insurance valid in the UAE.
- For a relative's visit visa: the sponsor's residence, Emirates ID and salary proof.
Steps
- Confirm with the airline that it will board you to the UAE.
- Choose the visa: tourist, relative's visit visa or 5-year.
- Send the passport and kart-e melli scans to the filer.
- The filer submits to GDRFA or ICP and pays the fee.
- You receive the e-visa by email. Check it on the visa status check tool.
Processing time
GDRFA states 48 hours for a tourist visa. ICP states 2 days for visit visas. Both run from a complete file. These are normal processing times; they do not tell you whether a file from an Iranian applicant will be approved under the current conditions.
Why Iranian applications are refused or stuck
- No national ID copy in the file.
- Passport and ID details that do not match.
- The traveller does not fall under an exemption while entry restrictions apply.
- A past overstay. The fine is AED 50 a day; see UAE overstay fine.
How it works with us
Send the Iranian passport page, the national ID scan and your dates on WhatsApp or through the form on this page. Before any quote, a visa adviser checks what is known that week about entry for Iranian nationals and whether your case could fall under an exemption. If filing makes sense, you get one total price, confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay. The team then files with GDRFA or ICP, follows the application, and emails you the e-visa.
We are a private visa service based in Dubai. GDRFA and ICP decide visas, and airlines decide who boards. If a visa is refused, the government fee is not refunded by the authorities. Your adviser tells you in writing, before payment, what part of the total, if any, comes back.
Official sources
- MOFA visa exemptions page: Iran shown as visa required.
- MOFA statement on the Iranian community: checked for any entry rule (none stated).
- GDRFA tourist visa documents: national ID condition and fees.
- ICP 5-year tourist visa: fees, guarantee, bank balance.
- ICP visit visa: relative sponsor fees.
- Media reports used for context, not as rules: Al-Monitor on the airline ban and Al Jazeera on Iranian airlines.
