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A South African passport needs a Dubai visa before you travel, because the UAE lists South Africa as visa required. From South Africa, a licensed Dubai company or airline files a GDRFA tourist visa: AED 210 for 30 days, about 48 hours. South Africans resident in the UK, the EU, the US, Australia, Canada and a few other countries can take ICP's 14-day or 60-day visa instead.
No visa on arrival on the passport alone
Many South Africans expect to land and get a stamp, the way Europeans and Australians do. That is not how it works for a South African passport. The airline checks for an e-visa before you board.
The one exception came on , when ICP added South Africa to its visa for nationals residing abroad. If you hold a valid visa or residence permit from the US, an EU country or the UK, or a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand, you qualify for a 14-day or 60-day visa with simpler conditions.
Do you need the UAE embassy or consulate in South Africa?
For a holiday, no. The UAE government says its embassies do not issue tourist visas. You do not need to visit a UAE mission in South Africa for one. Everything is online, through the company or airline sponsoring you.
Price of a Dubai visa from South Africa
| What you pay | 30 days, single entry | 60 days, single entry |
|---|---|---|
| GDRFA government fee | AED 210 | AED 315 |
| Emirates prearranged visa, own passengers | US$90 | US$177 |
| Published Dubai agency prices | AED 340 to AED 800 | AED 535 to AED 1,200 |
Sources: GDRFA tourist visa page and the Emirates visa page, checked . Emirates prices are airline prices, not government fees, and need an Emirates return ticket. Agency ranges are the published prices of 8 Dubai agencies for each length, checked .
Multiple entry costs AED 315 for 30 days and AED 525 for 60 days at GDRFA. Our Dubai visa price page breaks down every line.
Family holidays in the July to September window
A UAE Cabinet decision waives the visa fee for tourists' children under 18 from 15 July to 15 September each year, when the child travels with a parent. See Dubai visa for children.
South Africans abroad: the ICP route
| 14-day visa | 60-day visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | AED 100 | AED 250 plus AED 100 smart services |
| Entries | One | One |
| Extension | Once | Not allowed |
| Enter within | Check the visa | 30 days of issue |
Family members who meet the same nationality and residence conditions qualify too. ICP lists 2 days. Emirates sells this route at US$63 for 14 days and US$141.36 for 60 days. More detail on visas with a US, UK or EU visa.
Documents for South Africans
- South African passport with 6 months left from arrival
- Colour scan of the bio page
- Photo on a white background
- Return ticket
- Travel or health insurance that is valid in the UAE
- ICP route only: a copy of the qualifying visa or residence permit, valid on the travel date
Steps
- Choose between the tourist visa and the ICP route, based on where you live.
- Send the documents to the airline, tourism company or adviser filing for you.
- The government fee is paid when the request goes in.
- The e-visa arrives by email. Check it on the GDRFA or ICP status page.
- Print it. Random eye screening at Dubai airport can ask for a paper copy, and a print there costs AED 30.
Processing time
GDRFA lists 48 hours for a complete tourist visa. ICP lists 2 days for its route. Emirates says about 2 to 4 working days and wants the request at least 4 working days before you land. Two weeks of margin before a holiday is sensible.
Frequent visitors: the 5-year visa
If you fly up several times a year for business or family, the 5-year multiple entry tourist visa may be cheaper over time. ICP lists AED 3,720 in total, of which AED 3,000 is a guarantee you get back. GDRFA's version totals AED 3,713. Each stay is up to 90 days, with 180 days a year at most, and ICP asks for a bank balance of USD 4,000 for the last 6 months. See the 5-year Dubai visa.
Why South African applications are refused
- A passport that hits the 6-month limit during the trip
- Using a UK or EU visa that expired before the travel date on the ICP route
- Treating a Canadian or Australian visitor visa as a residence permit
- A return booking that runs past the visa end date
- A past overstay; the fine is AED 50 a day
How it works with us
Send a passport copy, where you live and your dates on WhatsApp, or use the form on this page. A visa adviser works out which route suits a South African passport in your position, the GDRFA tourist visa or the ICP route, and tells you why. You get one total price before paying anything. The team then files the request, uploads your documents in the accepted format, follows up and emails you the e-visa once issued. DubaiVisaDesk.com is a private visa service, not a government office. GDRFA or ICP decides.
If a visa is refused, the authorities do not refund their fees. Before you pay, the adviser tells you in writing what part of the total, if any, comes back after a refusal.
Official sources
- MOFA visa exemptions page: South Africa listed as visa required
- ICP visa for nationals residing abroad: South Africa, qualifying permits, fees
- GDRFA tourist visa: fees, 48 hours
- u.ae tourist visa: embassies do not issue tourist visas
- ICP 5-year tourist visa: fees and bank balance
Southern Africa: Zimbabwe. All passports: Dubai visa by nationality.
