Dubai Tourist Visa For UK Citizens: Application, Requirements and Where To Apply

27 Oct 2022

14 min read

If you want to visit Dubai, this post is for you! Traveling to Dubai from UK is now easier than ever. In this post, I'll cover everything you need to know about getting a Visa to Dubai from the UK, also known as the Dubai Tourist Visa, including the different ways you can apply, the required documents, processing time, and the costs of the visa.

A UAE visa allows you to visit Dubai, Sharjah, Abu-Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm al-Quwain. So, let's explore those options by starting with the fundamental question:

building in dubai during day time

Apply For Your Dubai Visa Without Hassle!

If you want to apply for your Dubai Visa for the UK with ease, download the Atlys app. Atlys streamlines the application process and guides you through everything. The app also has awesome tools you can use like the passport photo tool, flight itinerary tool, and the hotel itinerary tool

UAE VIsa online application process GIF for UK citizens on the Atlys app

Everything You Need To Know About Dubai Tourist Visa

Let us begin by taking an in-depth look at the Dubai tourist visa for British Citizens and answer some of the many questions you might have such as:

What Is A Dubai Tourist Visa And Who Is It For?

A Dubai Tourist Visa (Dubai Visit Visa) is for foreign nationals who are not eligible for a visa on arrival for Dubai or visa-free entry to the United Arab Emirates.

According to a Cabinet resolution passed in July 2018, children under 18 years accompanying adults can get a free visa for their visit from 15 July to 15 September each year. However, females below 18 are not eligible to apply for this type of Visa unless they are traveling to Dubai from the UK with their parents.

A Dubai Tourist Visa is a short-term visa, which means that the Visa is only valid for a short period. If you stay longer than the date of issue (your visa's expiry date), you will get a fine.

I recommend contacting your nearest UAE Embassy or Consular if you're unsure about the Tourist Visa for Dubai from the UK.

Do British Citizens Need A Visa For Dubai From The UK?

No. British citizens that are traveling to Dubai from UK can do so without needing a prior visa. A visit visa to Dubai can be obtained by British passport holders on arrival for 30 days at the airport from the immigration authorities.

Additionally, you must get a tourist visa if you wish to stay in the UAE for longer than 30 days or have used your 30 days on arrival stay within the last 180 days. There are several ways of getting a Dubai Tourist Visa for British citizens.

What Are The Type Of Dubai Visas?

There are several different types of Dubai visas, that British citizens can utilize. Each different type of Dubai visa can be applied for a specific purpose of visit or duration of stay. Some of the different visiting visas to Dubai for a stay are:

  • 48-Hours Dubai Visa: Travelers with a 48 hours stopover or layover in Dubai can apply for this visiting visa to Dubai.
  • 96-Hours Dubai Visa: Travelers with a 96 hours stopover or layover in Dubai can apply for this visiting visa to Dubai.
  • 14-Day Single Entry Visa: Travelers wishing to visit Dubai for a short trip can use this visa and stay in the country for a maximum of 14 days.
  • Short-Term Single Entry Visa: This tourist visa allows the holder to enter and exit Dubai once and stay for the duration of the visa's validity period, which is 30 days.
  • Short-Term Multiple Entry Visa: This tourist visa allows the holder to enter and exit Dubai multiple times during the validity of the visa, which is 30 days.
  • Long-Term Single Entry Visa: This tourist visa allows the holder to enter and exit Dubai once and stay for the duration of the visa's validity period, which is 90 days.
  • Long-TermMultiple Entry Visa: This tourist visa allows the holder to enter and exit Dubai multiple times during the validity of the visa, which is 90 days.

What Is The Difference Between A Single Entry Visa And A Multiple Entry Visa?

With a single-entry visa, you can only enter and exit the country once, whereas a multiple-entry visa allows you to enter and exit the country more than once. These different types of visas have certain eligibility requirements. Be sure to check them before you apply.

How Much Does A Dubai Visa Cost For British Citizens?

The cost of a Tourist Visa for Dubai from the UK depends on which Tourist Visa you apply for. For example, a 30-day Dubai Tourist Visa costs AED 335, and a 90-day visa for Dubai costs AED 805.

However, these costs are subject to change, so I recommend you check the Tourist Visa fees before you apply. OR apply with Atlys for full transparency and worrying about any hidden fees.

Additionally, Dubai Tourist Visa Fees for British citizens that apply through Emirates Airlines are:

  • 149$ for a transit visa
  • 189$ for a 14-day visa
  • 199$ for a 30-day visa
  • 540$ for a 90-day visa

How Long Does It Take To Process A Dubai Tourist Visa?

You must be wondering how long the Dubai Tourist visa application processing will take. The visa processing time may differ, but it takes approximately 3-4 working days for them to process your Visa.

If you apply using Atlys, the visa application is easier and will save you time. It will also show you the estimated processing time it will take for your visa approval.

What Is The Validity Of A Dubai Tourist Visa?

Depending on your plan, Tourist Visas to the UAE are valid for 30 days or 90 days, single entry or multiple entries. Recently, the UAE facilitated a five-year visa that enables tourists to enter numerous times on self-sponsorship and remain in the country for 90 days on each visit, which you can extend for another 90 days.

However, for British citizens, the Dubai visa on arrival is granted for multiple entries and is valid for 90 days. This visa is stamped onto your passport and is valid for 6 months from the date of entry.

If My Visa Is Not Approved, Will I Get A Refund?

No, unfortunately, you will not. Please be clear the UAE government does not offer a refund for rejected visa applications, be it for any reason. Similarly, airlines or agencies might have their own policies. However, they usually do not offer a refund.

aerial photo of city highway surrounded by high-rise building

What Are The Dubai Visa Requirements For British Citizens?

Though British citizens do not need a pre-arranged visa for Dubai, they must meet the Dubai entry requirements to get a visa on arrival. British citizens who are valid passport holders don't need a visa to visit the UAE for 30 days. However, please make sure you have the following:

  • Your original passport: should have over 6 months validity from the expected departure time from the UAE.
  • Confirmed round-trip flight ticket or a flight ticket to another destination.

The visas are available upon arrival offered by the UAE immigration at the UAE airports (Visa On Arrival), and British citizens can stay for 30 days in the UAE. However, if you will stay longer, you have to contact the immigration officer at the airport or the local immigration office in the UAE.

If you apply for a Tourist Visa for Dubai using Atlys, you can make the entire visa application and receive the list of required documents from your mobile phone.

What Are The Required Documents For a Dubai Tourist Visa For British Citizens?

You require a few travel documents before starting the visa application process. I recommend gathering all these documents before applying if it takes a while to get certain documents, you'll need the following documents:

  • Clear passport copy of the sponsor.
  • Clear passport copy of the sponsored person.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Copy of confirmed flight booking.
  • Bank approval letter.
  • Proof of sufficient funds.
  • Passport-sized color photographs.
  • Proof that you paid the Visa fee (payslip)
  • Completed Visa Application form.

Depending on where you apply, you may need additional documents.

How Can I Apply For A Dubai Tourist Visa?

What makes the Dubai Tourist Visa unique is that you can get your Dubai Tourist Visa through other people. For example, you can get a Tourist Visa for Dubai (valid for 30 days), a Service Visa (14 days), or even a Visit Visa from a hotel or a travel company, but you must first make a reservation.

Additionally, if you have friends or family members that are UAE residents, they can apply for a Dubai Tourist Visa on your behalf.

Dubai Tourist Visa through Airlines

Each airline has some conditions which you must meet for them to arrange your Visa. One of the conditions is flying with them. Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, Fly Dubai, and Air Arabia offers visa services.

How To Apply For Your Dubai Tourist Visa Through Etihad Airways

The application process is very straightforward, and best of all, it‘s an online application. All you need to do is go to the Etihad Airways website and click on "Apply for UAE visa." This will redirect you to another website where you need to choose the type of visa you want to apply for; in this case, it's the Dubai Tourist Visa.

Next, you must fill out the application form (provide all the necessary details) and attach the required documents like your passport, passport photo, and flight ticket. Lastly, you must pay the application fees through the secure online portal and wait for your visa.

How To Apply For Your Dubai Tourist Visa Through Emirates

You can apply for your Dubai Tourist Visa through Emarites.

Suppose you're traveling to Dubai from the UK or stopping over in Dubai with Emirates. In that case, you can apply for and receive your UAE visa entirely online without submitting your passport for stamping. You can apply for your UAE visa through Manage your booking after booking your Emirates flight.

The online visa application service is available for residents and nationals worldwide.

This service is only available to passengers with a confirmed Emirates booking where an Emirates ticket has already been issued, and the flight itinerary includes the desired time in Dubai. The itinerary into and out of Dubai should be on one ticket (PNR), which must be an Emirates flight.

A minimum of four international working days before arrival in Dubai is required. However, Emirates recommends that you apply online as early as possible.

How To Apply For Your Dubai Tourist Visa Through Fly Dubai

This can be a bit tricky. You can't necessarily apply for the visa online through their website like with the other airlines. Instead, you need to contact a travel shop near you to see if they can help you with your Dubai Tourist Visa application. Unfortunately, only a few travel shops can help with your visa application for Dubai, so be sure you call to get all the relevant information.

Dubai Tourist Visa Processing Time Through FlyDubai

Your UAE visa application will take a minimum of 5 working days from the date of submission if you submit all the required documents.

How To Apply For Your Dubai Tourist Visa Through Air Arabia

Just like with FlyDubai, you can't apply online through the website. Instead, you need to contact the Air Arabia sales center near you. When you contact them, they'll tell you everything you need to know about applying for the Tourist Visa Dubai through Air Arabia.

Dubai Tourist Visa Through Agencies And Hotels

Licensed travel agents and hotels in the UAE can arrange a Tourist Visa if you purchase the ticket through them and maintain a hotel reservation with the specific hotel. When contacting the hotel or travel agency, ask them if they can make the visa application on your behalf.

They will likely also say if they can make the Dubai Tourist Visa application on your behalf on the website.

If they can apply on your behalf, you'll need to send through all the required documentation and information they might need during the application process.

You can also contact travel agencies in your country for any tourist packages available to the UAE in collaboration with a local tour operator.

It is essential to check the authenticity of the travel agents you're dealing with. Don't pay or send copies of your official documents until you are 100 percent sure the tour operator is genuine.

dessert in dubai

Apply For Tourist Visa Yourself

When you want to apply for a Tourist Visa to Dubai, there are a few ways you can do it. Most of these are entirely online, which means you can apply from the comfort of your own home. These are the online channels for applying for your Dubai visit visa:

  • Atlys: With Atlys you can apply for your Dubai visa online in a few simple steps and without leaving your house. The app can sort out minor details for you, such as scanning the documents, and you can pay for your visa online.
  • The Identity and Citizenship (ICP) eChannels portal: Through the eChannels portal, individuals and companies registered in the UAE can apply for a new visa or renewal. To apply, individuals and companies must first register themselves. Note that you can use the eVisa Dubai at the entry port in the UAE without putting the original visa in the entry port before the sponsor's arrival.
  • The website of GDRFA - Dubai: You can apply online for a visa through the websites of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai.

Can British Citizens Extend Their Dubai Tourist Visa?

You can extend all types of visit and tourist visas for 30 days twice upon applying for it and after successful approval by the relevant authority. You can do this without leaving the country.

You can apply for the second renewal before the expiry of the first one against AED 600 for each renewal.

As mentioned above, visa overstayers who do not renew will have to pay AED 100 fine for each day of their overstay, to be calculated 10 days after the visa expiry.

Additionally, if you have fully utilized the 30-day stay within 6 months, British citizens can still apply for a pre-arranged visa which allows them to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days.

How Can I Extend My Dubai Tourist Visa?

You can apply for a visa extension through the Federal Authority For Identity & Citizenship, Customs & Port Security website. When accessing the website, click on the "Public Visa Service" option. This will take you straight to the page where you can apply for your Dubai Tourist Visa extension.

First, you must provide your passport number, passport-type, date of birth, and nationality. Then, at the bottom of the page, you'll see the types of Dubai Tourist Visas you can extend. The visa extension process is very straightforward; you need to provide personal information, attach the required documents (the same documents as for your visa), and then pay the service fee.

That's It!

Now you are a Dubai Tourist Visa pro! All you need to do is follow the instructions, and you'll be all set for your sunny vacation in Dubai.

building in dubai during daytime
Written By: Nikhita Rathod

Frequently Asked Questions

When Must British Citizens Apply For A Dubai Visa?

British nationals must apply for a Dubai Tourist Visa when they would like to stay in Dubai for longer than 30 days. Or if they utilized all 30 days visa on arrival in a period of 6 months.

Do British Citizens Need A Transit Visa?

No. British citizens, US citizens, Countries from the Schengen Area, or any country that is eligible for a Visa On Arrival or Visa Exempt does not need a transit visa.

Do British Visa Holders Need A Dubai Visa?

Indian citizens who are holders of a valid UK residence or Schengen visa or residence permit can get a Visa On Arrival in Dubai ​​for 14 days for a charge of AED120.

What Is The Difference Between A Single Entry Visa And A Multiple Entry Visa?

With a single entry visa, you can only enter and exit the country once, whereas a multiple entry visa allows you to enter and exit the country more than once. These different types of visas have certain eligibility requirements. Be sure to check them before you apply.

What Are The Visa Requirements For GCC Nationals?

The citizens of GCC countries (the Gulf Cooperation Council), which includes Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, do not require a visa to visit the UAE.

The GCC residents who are not national citizens but work as high-level officials such as doctors, managers, engineers, public sector employees, and their families can have a 30-day non-renewable visa at all the airports in the UAE upon arrival.

What Are The Dubai Tourist Visa Requirements For Other Citizens?

The Dubai entry requirements or visa requirements are relatively straightforward. First, you need your original passport (not a travel document) with 6 months of validity from the expected date of travel to the UAE. You need your valid passport and a return flight ticket.

You can get a Visa On Arrival for Dubai if you're a citizen of one of the following countries:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Kuwait, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (Except the British overseas citizens), Uruguay, Vatican.

They will grant your Visa (1 month) when you arrive at UAE airports. However, if you stay longer, you have to contact the immigration officer at the airport or the local immigration office in the UAE and apply for the same.

Tourists from other nationalities who are not eligible for a Visa On Arrival must apply for a Tourist Visa before entering the country. They can do so through their respective embassy, a local UAE sponsor, or even a local hotel in the UAE.

United Arab EmiratesFirst-Time Travelers

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