UAE Visit Visa Rules in 2026: 30, 60 or 90 Days — Which One Applies to You?

Planning a trip to the UAE in 2026? One of the most common questions travellers ask is whether they should apply for a 30-day, 60-day or 90-day visit visa. The answer depends on the purpose of the visit, the type of visa, who is applying on your behalf and, in some cases, your nationality or residency status.

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) currently provides several visit visa categories with permitted stays of 30, 60 or 90 days, while specialised visas can have different durations. 

30-Day UAE Visit Visa: Best for Short Trips

A 30-day visa is generally suitable for travellers visiting the UAE for:

•    Short holidays 
•    Family visits 
•    Visiting friends 
•    Brief business or personal trips 
For Dubai specifically, GDRFA currently offers a 30-day single-entry tourist visa through eligible tourism establishments. 

A 30-day option may make sense for travellers planning a short stay in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or elsewhere in the UAE without needing an extended period in the country.

60-Day UAE Visit Visa: More Flexibility

A 60-day stay gives visitors considerably more time and is available under several UAE entry categories.

Dubai’s GDRFA currently offers 30- and 60-day tourist visas, while ICP’s broader visa framework also includes 60-day options depending on the selected category. 

A 60-day visa can be useful for:

•    Longer holidays 
•    Spending extended time with relatives 
•    Visiting family following childbirth or other personal events 
•    Travellers who want more flexibility without immediately seeking an extension 
However, the exact eligibility and extension conditions depend on the visa category.

90-Day UAE Visit Visa: Who Can Get It?

A 90-day option is available for certain visit categories, but travellers should not assume that every standard tourist visa automatically comes with a 90-day choice.

For example, Dubai’s current GDRFA service for visiting a relative or friend allows a single-entry visa for 30, 60 or 90 days. 

ICP similarly states that eligible visit visas can permit stays of 30, 60 or 90 days depending on the selected duration. 

A 90-day stay may therefore suit people spending a longer period with relatives or friends, subject to the relevant sponsorship and eligibility rules.

Visiting a Relative or Friend? Salary Rules Matter

One of the significant UAE visa updates concerns residents who want to bring relatives or friends.

Under current ICP rules, the resident sponsor or host generally needs a minimum monthly income of:

AED 4,000 — for first-degree relatives, such as parents, spouse, sons or daughters
AED 8,000 — for second- or third-degree relatives
AED 15,000 — for a friend who is not a relative
Proof of the relationship is required where applicable. 
These income requirements were part of changes introduced to the UAE visit visa framework.

What Documents Are Usually Required?

Requirements differ between visa types, but common documents can include:

•    Passport valid for at least six months 
•    Recent personal photograph 
•    Valid UAE health insurance 
•    Return or onward travel ticket 
•    Proof of relationship for family visits 
•    Sponsor’s employment or salary documents where required 
•    Hotel booking or accommodation details depending on the application 

ICP lists a minimum six-month passport validity, health insurance and a return travel ticket among key requirements for applicable visit categories. 

Can a UAE Visit Visa Be Extended?

This is where travellers need to pay close attention.

ICP says eligible 30-, 60- or 90-day visit visas may be extended once or multiple times, subject to approval, with the total stay under the relevant category generally not exceeding 120 days. 

However, not every visa can be extended.

For example, a special 60-day entry visa available to eligible nationals of certain countries residing abroad is non-extendable. 

Always check the rules attached to the exact visa issued to you rather than assuming all visit visas have the same extension policy.

What About the 5-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa?

The UAE also offers a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa.

This is different from a standard 30-, 60- or 90-day single-trip visa.

Under current ICP rules, holders can generally stay for up to 90 days per visit, with extensions possible subject to the annual maximum. The total stay can reach up to 180 days within a year, subject to the applicable rules. 

Applicants must meet additional requirements, including financial criteria.

Special 14-Day and 60-Day Visa Option Expanded in 2026

There is another category travellers should not confuse with ordinary tourist visas.

In June 2026, ICP expanded eligibility for special 14-day and 60-day entry visas to nationals of:

•    India 
•    Philippines 
•    Indonesia 
•    Vietnam 
•    Thailand 
•    Kenya 
•    South Africa 

Eligible ordinary passport holders must also meet conditions relating to valid visas or residence permits from specified countries, including the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea or Singapore. 

The 14-day visa can be extended once, while the 60-day version is non-extendable. 

This is a separate category and should not be confused with the standard 30-, 60- or 90-day visit visa system.

What About GCC Residents?

Foreign residents of GCC countries also have a separate UAE eVisa arrangement.

The UAE Government portal states that eligible GCC residents can receive a permit allowing a 30-day stay, which can generally be extended once for another 30 days. 

Again, this is different from an ordinary tourist or family visit visa.

How Much Does a Visit Visa Cost?

Fees depend on the issuing authority, visa category, number of entries, insurance and other charges.

For Dubai, GDRFA currently lists the basic fees for a single-entry relative or friend visit visa as:

•    30 days: AED 200 
•    60 days: AED 300 
•    90 days: AED 400 

Additional VAT, insurance, financial guarantees and service charges may apply. 

For standard tourism, Dubai currently lists basic single-entry fees of AED 200 for 30 days and AED 300 for 60 days, before applicable VAT or additional charges. 

Because the final cost can differ significantly by application type, travellers should check the official fee displayed when submitting their application.

What Happens If You Overstay?

Overstaying a UAE visa can result in financial penalties.

ICP currently lists an AED 50 fine for each day of overstay for applicable visa categories. 

Travellers should therefore check the exact expiry date shown on their immigration record and either leave the UAE or complete any permitted extension before their authorised stay expires.

Where Should You Apply?

Visa applications can be processed through official UAE channels including:

•    ICP Smart Services 
•    UAEICP app 
•    GDRFA Dubai 
•    Approved typing or service centres 
•    Airlines, hotels or licensed tourism companies for certain tourist visas 

The UAE Government confirms that ICP and GDRFA are official channels for entry permit and visa applications. 

Dubai visa applications are commonly handled through GDRFA Dubai, while ICP handles federal immigration services across the other emirates.

So, Which Visa Is Right for You?

A simple way to think about it is:

30 days: Best for short holidays and brief family visits.
60 days: Better for travellers who want a longer stay without immediately seeking an extension.
90 days: Available for selected categories, particularly certain relative/friend visits and other specialised entry permits.
But the number of days is only one part of the decision. Your nationality, visa purpose, sponsor, financial requirements and eligibility determine which visa you can actually receive.

Bottom Line

There is no single UAE visit visa that automatically applies to everyone.

Before booking your flight, check:

Your nationality → purpose of travel → visa category → permitted stay → extension rules → entry deadline.

Using the correct visa from the beginning can help avoid unnecessary fees, rejected applications or overstay penalties.