Tourist Visas in UAE

Visit Visas for tourists to UAE are normally available to all nationalities except Israeli passport holders. The visa should be arranged before entering UAE through authorized travel agents, UAE based airlines or hotels. Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airlines, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency, Air Arabia, Dnata are some of the agents authorized to issue Tourist Visas in UAE.

Hotels, travel agents, airlines and other authorized agents normally arrange a Tourist Visa for a customer. Citizens from one of the free visa on arrival countries can obtain a UAE Visit Visa on arrival at any border entry points to the UAE by submitting their passport at passport immigration control. 

To obtain a tourist visa for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or any other emirate in UAE you should do the following:

• If you are a citizen from one of the free visa on arrival countries can obtain a UAE Visit Visa on arrival.
• UAE based airlines - Emirates, FlyDubai, Etihad, Air Arabia and RAK Airways can arrange a Tourist Visa for some charge if flight tickets are bought from them. Fees will be different from one company to the next so check with more than one since there is a choice to select from. Other than airlines only travel agents and hotels based in the UAE can arrange a tourist visa.
• If you have a close relative in the UAE, they may be able to sponsor you for a Visit Visa (not a Tourist Visa) based on the approval from DNRD.

See also: Dubai Visa Requirements