Gulf visa, applied for from the UK

UAE visa from the UK for non-UK passport holders

If you live in the UK on a non-UK passport, you usually need a UAE visa arranged before you fly, through an airline, a licensed agent, ICP or GDRFA Dubai. If you are Indian or Filipino with UK residence, you can get a 14-day (AED 100) or 60-day (AED 250) visa on arrival instead.

Checked against official sourcesLast reviewed 9 October 2026 · sources at the foot of the page

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai against a pink and violet sunset sky, its spire catching the last light

UAE visa options

What each visa allows, what it costs and how long it takes. Fees change: we confirm them before you pay.

Visa on arrival for Indian and Filipino UK residents

Stay: 14 days, extendable once for another 14 days, or 60 days, not extendable
Validity: Single entry. A visa approved in advance must be used within 30 days of issue.
Fee: AED 100 (14 days) or AED 250 (60 days). ICP's online service adds a AED 100 smart-service fee; Emirates charges USD 63 or USD 141.36.
Processing: About 2 days when applied for online (ICP); GDRFA Dubai quotes 48 hours

Who qualifies. Indian or Filipino nationals holding a valid UK residence permit. Your passport and your UK permit must each be valid for at least six months.

How to apply. On arrival, or online before you travel through ICP Smart Services, GDRFA Dubai or Emirates' Manage your booking.

Tourist visa (30 or 60 days)

Stay: 30 or 60 days; ICP also lists 90 days. Extensions are possible up to 120 days in total.
Validity: Single or multiple entry. Enter within 60 days of issue.
Fee: Varies by channel. GDRFA Dubai: AED 200 (30 days) or AED 300 (60 days) single entry, AED 300 or AED 500 multiple entry, plus 5% VAT. Emirates: from US$90 (30 days single) to US$231 (60 days multiple).
Processing: About 2 working days (ICP and GDRFA quote 48 hours). Emirates asks for at least four working days before arrival.

Who qualifies. Any nationality that needs a visa. Emirates and flydubai issue visas only to passengers flying with them.

How to apply. Through a UAE airline you are flying with, a licensed travel agent or hotel, or the Visit Dubai tourist visa portal.

Visit visa sponsored by a relative or friend in the UAE

Stay: 30, 60 or 90 days
Validity: Single or multiple entry
Fee: ICP: AED 100 application fee, AED 100 a month single entry or AED 200 multiple entry, AED 100 smart-service fee, plus a refundable guarantee of AED 1,000 (single) or AED 2,000 (multiple).
Processing: About 2 days (ICP)

Who qualifies. From 29 September 2025 the sponsor needs a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000 for first-degree relatives, AED 8,000 for second and third-degree relatives, and AED 15,000 for friends.

How to apply. Your relative or friend who lives in the UAE applies through ICP Smart Services or GDRFA Dubai.

5-year multiple-entry tourist visa

Stay: Up to 90 days per visit, extendable once for 90 days
Validity: 5 years, multiple entry. First entry within 60 days of issue.
Fee: ICP: AED 100 application, AED 500 issuance and AED 100 smart-service fee, plus a refundable AED 3,000 guarantee. GDRFA Dubai itemises AED 3,713 in total, including the guarantee.
Processing: About 2 days (ICP); 48 hours (GDRFA Dubai)

Who qualifies. All nationalities. You need a bank balance of USD 4,000 or its equivalent over the last six months, health insurance valid in the UAE and a return ticket.

How to apply. Online through ICP Smart Services or GDRFA Dubai.

Transit visa (48 or 96 hours)

Stay: 48 or 96 hours
Validity: Single entry, not extendable. Enter within 30 days of issue.
Fee: GDRFA Dubai: AED 50 plus the airline's fee. Emirates: US$10 (48 hours) or US$49 (96 hours). Etihad: AED 55 or AED 216.
Processing: 48 hours (GDRFA Dubai); around four business days with Etihad

Who qualifies. Transit passengers with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.

How to apply. Through the UAE airline you are flying with, a travel agent or an airport hotel.

If you live in the UK

Routes that depend on your UK residence permit or visa, by passport.

Indian nationals: with a valid UK residence permit and a passport, each valid for at least six months, you can get a 14-day visa (extendable once) or a 60-day visa (not extendable) on arrival, or apply online before you travel.
Filipino nationals: since 25 June 2026 the same 14-day and 60-day scheme covers Filipinos who hold a valid UK residence permit. Accompanying family members qualify if they meet the same conditions.
Some channels, such as Emirates and flydubai, also accept a valid UK visa for this scheme, but GDRFA Dubai names a residence permit. Rely on your UK residence status, not a UK visit visa.
Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Sri Lankan and Turkish nationals: UK residence gives no UAE concession. You need a tourist visa arranged before you fly, a visit visa sponsored by a relative or friend living in the UAE, or a transit visa.
Pakistani nationals: GDRFA Dubai asks for your national identity card (CNIC) with a tourist visa application.
Any nationality can apply for the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa with USD 4,000 or its equivalent in the bank over the last six months, UAE-valid health insurance and a return ticket.
UAE embassies, including the one in London, do not issue tourist visas. You apply through an airline, a licensed travel agent or hotel, ICP or GDRFA Dubai.

Documents for a UAE visa

You provide

Passport Valid for at least six months from the date you enter the UAE, with a colour copy that includes the cover.
UK residence status For the visa on arrival: your UK residence permit or eVisa status, valid for at least six months. Carry a share code and keep your eVisa linked to the passport you travel on.
Photo A recent colour photo on a white or light background.
National ID card (Pakistani nationals) GDRFA Dubai asks Pakistani applicants for their CNIC with a tourist visa application.
Proof of relationship (family visits) Birth or marriage certificate, or your relative's family book, if a relative sponsors you or you stay with family.
Bank statements (5-year visa) A balance of USD 4,000 or its equivalent during the last six months.

We provide

Visa application Submitted through the right channel for your nationality: an airline, a licensed agent, ICP or GDRFA Dubai.
Return flight booking A confirmed return or onward ticket. Airline-issued visas need you to fly with that airline.
Hotel booking A confirmed hotel reservation, or your relative's tenancy contract if you stay with family.
Health insurance valid in the UAE ICP and GDRFA Dubai ask for health insurance valid in the UAE for tourist visas.

UAE visa questions from UK residents

Can I get a UAE visa on arrival with a UK residence permit?

Only if you are Indian or Filipino. Your UK residence permit and your passport must each be valid for at least six months. Other nationalities need a visa arranged before they fly.

Do Pakistani nationals living in the UK need a visa for Dubai?

Yes. UK residence does not give Pakistani nationals a visa on arrival, so you need a tourist visa arranged before you fly. GDRFA Dubai also asks for your CNIC.

Can I use my UK eVisa for the UAE visa on arrival?

Emirates and flydubai say UK eVisas are accepted. Official UAE pages refer to a residence permit without saying how digital status is shown, so carry a share code and travel on the passport linked to your eVisa.

How much is a Dubai tourist visa from the UK?

It depends on the channel. GDRFA Dubai lists AED 200 for a 30-day single-entry visa and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. Emirates charges from US$90 for 30 days.

How long does a UAE tourist visa take?

Usually about two working days once submitted. Emirates asks for at least four working days before you arrive.

Can a relative in the UAE sponsor my visit visa?

Yes. Since 29 September 2025, a UAE resident needs a monthly salary of at least AED 4,000 to sponsor a first-degree relative, AED 8,000 for second or third-degree relatives and AED 15,000 for a friend.

Is there a 5-year tourist visa for the UAE?

Yes, for all nationalities. You need USD 4,000 or its equivalent in the bank over the last six months, UAE-valid health insurance and a return ticket. Each visit can last up to 90 days.

Is there a travel warning for the UAE right now?

The UK government's travel advice, updated 24 July 2026, reports strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in the region since 8 July and periodic airspace closures. Check gov.uk and your airline before you travel.

Where these facts come from

Fees and rules are checked against official and visa-centre pages. Last reviewed 9 October 2026. Rules change: we confirm everything again before you pay.