Types of Dubai visa

Last updated on 5 December, 2025 | 10 minutes read

Dubai offers a variety of visa options to suit different purposes, whether you’re visiting, working, studying, or investing. From tourist and transit visas for short stays to employment, investor, and residence visas for long-term plans, each visa type comes with specific eligibility criteria, duration, and benefits. Understanding the right visa for your needs is essential to ensure a smooth stay and compliance with UAE regulations.

Types of Dubai visa

1. Tourist Visa for Dubai

  • Both single entry and multiple entries are valid for 30 or 60 days.
  • Two extensions are possible, totaling up to 60 extra days.
  • Indian citizens seeking a tourist visa to Dubai must have a passport that is valid for at least six months.
  • Indian nationals with a valid US, UK, or EU visa or Green Card are eligible for a 14-day visa on arrival in the UAE.

2. Dubai Transit Visa

  • Two types: 48-hour visa and 96-hour visa.
  • Cannot be extended.
  • Arranged by UAE-based airlines or travel agents.
  • Required documents include passport copy, flight tickets, and proof of onward travel.

3. The UAE Golden Visa:

Long-term residency for five or ten years is available through the esteemed Golden Visa UAE. It enables foreigners to sponsor their family while living, working, and studying in Dubai.

  • Among the eligibility criteria are:
  • Investors (with funds or real estate worth more than AED 2 million)
  • Entrepreneurs working on creative initiatives
  • Physicians, researchers, and experts
  • Excellent pupils
  • Professionals in the creative field

Rules for extending a Dubai Visa:

You can extend your Dubai tourist visa twice without having to leave the country if you wish to stay longer. Each extension lasts for thirty days.

📌 After 10 days of expiration, overstay fees are AED 50 per day.

Time and Fees for Indians to Process a Dubai Visa

Processing a visa typically takes three to four business days.

Processing time for an expedited visa: 36 hours

The approximate cost of a visa:

Normal Visa for 30 Days: 279.06 AED

Express Visa for 30 Days: 356.00 AED

(Note: For the most recent visa costs, always visit the official UAE immigration website.)