United Arab Emirates

Every United Arab Emirates visa route, explained

The UAE has a route for every purpose — short visits (tourist visa, visa on arrival or GCC-free), plus transit, study, work, family and long-term residence such as the Golden and Green visas. Routes with verified step-by-step guides link straight to them; the rest link to the official UAE Government and ICP/GDRFA pages.

The routes

Visit & tourism

Tourist visa / visa on arrival

Short visits for tourism or to see family — a pre-arranged tourist entry permit (30 or 60 days), a visa on arrival for some nationalities, or visa-free for GCC nationals.

Tourism, leisure and short family/friend visits

30 or 60 days (extendable)

10 verified step-by-step guides →

Transit

Transit visa

For travellers connecting through a UAE airport to a third country; 48-hour transit is free and a paid 96-hour transit visa is available.

48 or 96 hours

official page →

Study

Student residence visa

For students enrolled at a UAE university or higher-education institution, sponsored by the institution; outstanding students may qualify for a long-term Golden visa.

Students at a UAE university or college

official page →

Work & business

Work / employment residence visa

For taking up employment in the UAE — an employer-sponsored work permit and residence visa, or a self-sponsored route for freelancers and remote workers.

Employees sponsored by a UAE employer
Investors and entrepreneurs

official page →

Family & residence

Family / sponsored residence visa

Residents can sponsor a residence visa for their spouse, children and certain other relatives, subject to salary and accommodation conditions.

Spouses, children and dependants of UAE residents/citizens

official page →

Other routes

Golden visa (long-term residence)

Long-term self-sponsored residence for investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talents, scientists, outstanding students and other eligible categories.

5 or 10 years (renewable)

official page →

Green residence visa

Self-sponsored 5-year residence for skilled employees, freelancers/self-employed people, investors and partners, without an employer or national sponsor.

5 years

official page →

Virtual Work Residence Visa

Self-sponsored residence permit allowing remote professionals to live in the UAE while working for an employer or business based outside the country.

Remote workers / location-independent professionals employed or contracting outside the UAE

1 year, renewable

5 verified step-by-step guides →

Verified step-by-step guides

Grounded on official sources — documents, fees, timeline, every fact dated and linked.

🇦🇺 Australia → United Arab EmiratesVirtual Work Residence Visa

Australian citizens can apply for the UAE's Virtual Work Residence Visa — a 1-year residence for remote workers — online through GDRFA Dubai, showing remote-work proof and US$3,500/month income.

🇧🇩 Bangladesh → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Bangladeshi citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇨🇦 Canada → United Arab EmiratesVirtual Work Residence Visa

Canadian citizens can apply for the UAE's Virtual Work Residence Visa — a 1-year residence for remote workers — online through GDRFA Dubai, showing remote-work proof and US$3,500/month income.

🇩🇪 Germany → United Arab EmiratesVirtual Work Residence Visa

German citizens can apply for the UAE's Virtual Work Residence Visa — a 1-year residence for remote workers — online through GDRFA Dubai, showing remote-work proof and US$3,500/month income.

🇪🇬 Egypt → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Egyptian citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom → United Arab EmiratesVirtual Work Residence Visa

British citizens can apply for the UAE's Virtual Work Residence Visa — a 1-year residence for remote workers — online through GDRFA Dubai, showing remote-work proof and US$3,500/month income.

🇮🇩 Indonesia → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Indonesian citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇮🇳 India → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Indian citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Sri Lankan citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇳🇬 Nigeria → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Nigerian citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇳🇵 Nepal → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Nepali citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇵🇭 Philippines → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Filipino citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇵🇰 Pakistan → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Pakistani citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.

🇺🇸 United States → United Arab EmiratesVirtual Work Residence Visa

American citizens can apply for the UAE's Virtual Work Residence Visa — a 1-year residence for remote workers — online through GDRFA Dubai, showing remote-work proof and US$3,500/month income.

🇻🇳 Vietnam → United Arab EmiratesTourist visa (single entry)

Vietnamese citizens need a pre-arranged UAE tourist visa — a single-entry visa for 30 or 60 days, applied for online via ICP/GDRFA or through an airline, hotel or travel agent.