A UAE tourist visa costs roughly AED 350–1,200 in 2026 depending on the duration and entry type, a 30-day single-entry visa sits at the lower end, while 60-day and multiple-entry visas cost more. The final price you pay also depends on whether you apply through an airline, hotel, travel agency, or a licensed visa service, since each adds its own service charge on top of the government fee. This guide breaks down the current cost structure, what is included in the price, the hidden extras to watch for, and how to avoid overpaying.
Fee caveat: All prices in this article are indicative as of 2026. Government fees and service charges change from time to time, always confirm the current total before applying.
30-Day vs 60-Day Tourist Visa: Current Price Ranges
The UAE issues tourist visas in two main durations, and the price gap between them is significant:
- 30-day single-entry tourist visa: approximately AED 350–500 all-in through most channels. This is the standard choice for holidays, family visits, and short business trips.
- 60-day single-entry tourist visa: approximately AED 600–900. Introduced under the updated visa rules, it suits longer stays, for example, visitors combining a holiday with apartment hunting or a job search.
- Multiple-entry tourist visas (30-day or 60-day): approximately AED 900–1,200, useful if you plan to hop between the UAE and neighbouring countries during your trip.
- The 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa is a separate product with a different fee structure and strict eligibility, see our 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa guide for details.
Prices move with demand: application channels often raise service charges during peak travel seasons (December–January, Eid holidays), so the same visa can cost noticeably more in December than in June.
What Your Tourist Visa Fee Actually Includes
When an agency quotes you a price, it bundles several components:
- The government visa fee, the core charge paid to the immigration authority (GDRFA in Dubai, ICP in the other emirates) for processing and issuing the entry permit.
- The service/typing charge, the agency's fee for preparing, submitting, and following up on your application. This is where quotes vary most between providers.
- The refundable security deposit (some channels), certain agencies and airlines hold a deposit (historically around AED 1,000–2,000) that is refunded when you exit the UAE on time. Always ask whether a quoted price includes a deposit or is the true total cost.
- Mandatory health insurance, some visa packages bundle a basic travel/health insurance policy; others require you to arrange it separately. Confirm which applies before you compare quotes.
A quote that looks dramatically cheaper than the market usually excludes the deposit, the insurance, or both. Compare all-in, out-of-pocket totals, not headline numbers.
Extra Costs Most Visitors Forget to Budget
The visa fee is only part of the trip budget. Common extras include:
- Visa extension fees: if you decide to stay longer, extending a tourist visa inside the UAE costs extra per extension. Our guide to extending a visit visa inside the UAE explains the process and current indicative costs.
- Overstay fines: overstaying costs approximately AED 50 per day (indicative) and must be cleared before you can renew, change status, or exit. You can check and pay overstay fines online, but the cheapest fine is the one you never incur.
- Document attestation: rarely needed for tourists, but visitors coming for marriage or family sponsorship purposes may need attested documents. See our degree certificate attestation guide for how attestation works.
- Travel insurance top-ups: basic bundled policies have low coverage limits. If you want comprehensive medical cover, budget for an upgrade.
- Status change fees: visitors who find a job and convert to an employment visa pay a status-change fee to avoid exiting the country. Our visa status change guide covers how this works.
Where to Apply: Comparing Application Channels
You cannot apply for a UAE tourist visa entirely on your own, applications go through authorised channels:
- Airlines (Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia): convenient if you fly with them; fees are transparent but you must meet their ticketing conditions.
- Hotels and tour operators: many Dubai hotels arrange visas for confirmed guests, often bundling the cost into the package.
- Licensed travel agencies: the most flexible option, especially for 60-day and multiple-entry visas; compare 2–3 quotes.
- Friends/family sponsors in the UAE: a UAE resident can sponsor a visitor's visa through Amer centres or the GDRFA portal, often the cheapest route if you have a host.
Whichever channel you use, the visa itself is issued by the government, the channel only affects the service charge and the support you get. For help choosing, read where to apply for a UAE visa.
Tourist Visa Requirements That Affect the Cost
A few application requirements can add to your total spend:
- Passport validity: your passport must typically be valid for at least 6 months. Renewing a passport at home before travel is far cheaper than emergency options abroad.
- Photograph specifications: a recent passport-size photo with a white background. Rejected photos are a common cause of delays, and re-application fees.
- Proof of accommodation and return ticket: most channels require these. Travellers without a host may need confirmed hotel bookings before the visa is issued.
- Previous overstay or rejection history: applicants with a complicated immigration record may face additional scrutiny, refundable deposits, or the need for professional assistance, all of which raise the effective cost. Our guide on why UAE visa applications get rejected explains the red flags.
How to Avoid Overpaying for Your Tourist Visa
- Get three written quotes from licensed agencies and compare the all-in total, including deposits and insurance.
- Ask what is refundable. Deposits should come back to you, get the refund terms in writing.
- Apply early. Express/urgent processing carries a premium; a standard application submitted 2–3 weeks ahead avoids it.
- Match the duration to your trip. Do not buy a 60-day visa for a 10-day holiday, and do not buy a 30-day visa if you know you will extend, extensions cost more than getting the right duration upfront.
- Never pay a private individual who is not a licensed agency. Pay through official channels and keep every receipt.
If your plans change after arrival, you find work, or family circumstances shift, you may be able to convert your visit visa without leaving the UAE, which is usually cheaper than exiting and re-entering.
Official sources: UAE Government Portal – visit visas · GDRFA Dubai
Tourist Visa vs Visa on Arrival: Which Is Cheaper?
If your nationality qualifies for visa on arrival, that is always the cheapest option, it is free and issued at the airport. A pre-arranged tourist visa only makes sense when your passport does not qualify. Paying for a tourist visa you do not need is the most common way visitors overspend before they even land.
A few nationalities fall in a grey zone: they qualify for visa on arrival but want the certainty of a pre-approved visa (for example, travellers with complex travel histories). In that case, weigh the visa cost against the small risk of being questioned at immigration, for most travellers, the free visa on arrival is the right call. Check where your passport stands with our visa-on-arrival countries guide and the do-you-need-a-visa checker before spending a dirham.
One more comparison: the transit visa (48 or 96 hours) is cheaper than a full tourist visa if you are only passing through. Our Dubai transit visa guide covers the 2026 rules. And if you are a GCC resident, the GCC e-visa route may be cheaper than a standard tourist visa, compare both before applying.
How Tourist Visa Fees Have Changed
Tourist visa pricing is not static, it moves with policy and demand:
- The 60-day visa is relatively new (introduced under the 2022 visa overhaul) and gave travellers a mid-tier option that did not exist before, previously you chose between 30 days or a costly extension.
- The 5-year multiple-entry visa created a premium tier for frequent visitors, with its own fee logic separate from single-trip visas.
- Service charges creep up in peak seasons even when government fees stay flat. The government fee is the stable component; the agency margin is the moving one.
- Digitalisation has trimmed some costs, online applications through airlines and portals carry lower overhead than old-school manual processing.
The practical takeaway: never rely on a price someone paid two years ago. Get a fresh written quote for your travel dates, and treat any article (including this one) as a range guide, not a price list. Fee schedules are published on the official portals, when in doubt, check there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 30-day UAE tourist visa cost in 2026? Approximately AED 350–500 all-in through most licensed channels, including the government fee and the agency's service charge. Prices are indicative as of 2026, confirm the current total with your chosen provider before applying.
How much does a 60-day UAE tourist visa cost? Approximately AED 600–900 all-in. The 60-day option costs more than the 30-day visa but is usually cheaper than a 30-day visa plus an extension.
Is the security deposit refunded? Yes, when the terms are honoured, the deposit is refunded after you exit the UAE within your visa validity. Get the refund conditions in writing before you pay, and keep your exit records.
Can I extend my tourist visa, and what does it cost? Yes, tourist visas can generally be extended inside the UAE without exiting. Extension fees are charged per extension on top of what you originally paid, see our visit visa extension guide for the process.
Why do different agencies quote different prices for the same visa? The government fee is fixed; the difference is the agency's service charge, plus whether the quote includes the refundable deposit and insurance. Always compare all-in totals.
Do children pay the same tourist visa fee as adults? Fee structures for minors are broadly similar, though some channels offer slightly reduced service charges for children. Confirm with your provider, and note that newborns and infants still require their own visa.
Get Your UAE Tourist Visa Without the Guesswork: PRO VISA UAE
Comparing quotes, checking requirements, and tracking an application takes time, and one wrong document can mean paying twice. PRO VISA UAE, part of NOR ALAYAM Documents Clearing Services LLC, processes UAE tourist visas daily through licensed channels: we confirm your exact all-in cost upfront, prepare the file correctly the first time, and follow up until your visa is issued.
Call us at +971 52 505 3494 or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/971525053494, tell us your travel dates and we will handle the rest.