Dubai Tourist Visa From Saudi Arabia: Visa Requirements

Last Updated : 16 Apr 2024

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If you want to visit Dubai, this post is for you! Traveling to Dubai from Saudi is now easier than ever for ex-pats with Saudi Arabia Visa. In this post, I'll show why I say so. First and most importantly, Saudi Arabia citizens do not need a Dubai Visit 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:

Visa Required: No Visa requiredLength of stay: 30 Days

Do Saudi Arabian Citizens Need A Visa For Dubai?

No, they don't. 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. These countries have freedom of movement, meaning they do not need a pre-arranged visa.

Saudi Arabian or GCC nationals can enter the UAE with only their passport or their national ID. However, this is not applicable to the residents or long-term visa holders in Saudi Arabia or any GCC countries.

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All you need to do is complete the visa application form, upload your documents, pay the fee, and submit your application. Atlys also has an amazing tool you can use for free! We encourage you to use the passport photo tool to ensure your passport photo meets the requirements.

Everything You Need To Know About Traveling To Dubai From Saudi Arabia

There are a few things you need to know before traveling to Dubai. These things include:

Do I Need An UAE Tourist Visa If I Have A Saudi Arabian Residence Visa?

Yes, you do. 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.

Additionally, ex-pats living in the GCC countries are eligible to apply for a Dubai visa online or evisa.

However, you must also check the eligibility criteria for your specific country since some nationalities get a UAE Visa On Arrival at the airport.

Citizens of countries that are not eligible for a Dubai visa on arrival MUST get an evisa even if they are accompanied by a GCC citizen or national.

What Are The Type Of Dubai Visas?

Saudi Arabia residents can utilize several different types of Dubai visas. Each different type of visa to Dubai from Saudi Arabia 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 that wish to visit Dubai for a short trip can use this visa, and you can 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-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 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.

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, remember that this will depend on your nationality and eligibility for the visa. For example, nationals that can get a visa on arrival to Dubai can stay for either 30 days or 90 days.

Additionally, if you apply online through the ICP or GRRFAD website, you will get a Dubai visa valid for 30 days. And if you travel to the UAE with GCC citizens or nationals, you can get an entry permit for 60 days.

What Is The Visit Visa For Dubai From Saudi Arabia Price

The cost of a Tourist Visa for Dubai depends on which Tourist Visa you apply for. For example, a 30-day Single-Entry Dubai Tourist Visa costs SAR 255 (AED 250), and a 90-day Single-Entry Visa for Dubai costs SAR 612 (AED 600)*.

However, these costs are subject to change, so I recommend you check the Tourist Visa fees before you apply. OR apply with Atlys, where there are no hidden fees.

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.

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.

Dubai Visa Requirements

Before you travel to Dubai, you need to make sure you meet the requirements. If you don't meet these requirements, you won't be able to enter Dubai or apply for your visa.

The requirements are as follows:

What Are The Dubai Entry Requirements For Saudi Arabia Nationals?

GCC nationals, including Saudi Arabian citizens, do not require many documents. Since the neighboring countries have freedom of movement, they can enter the UAE or Dubai with only their passport or national ID.

What Are The Dubai Visa Requirements For Saudi Arabia Residents?

Saudi Arabian citizens do not need a pre-arranged visa for Dubai. However, the residents or long-term visa holders must meet the Dubai entry requirements to get a visa.

The tourist visa Dubai (Dubai Visit Visa) requirements for other nation passport holders residing in Saudi Arabia are as follows:

  • Your original passport should have over 6 months of validity from the expected departure time from the UAE if you are eligible and wish to get a Visa On Arrival in the UAE.

  • GCC residents or ex-pats not eligible for a Dubai Visa On Arrival must apply for a Dubai visa online or an evisa before they arrive in the UAE.

  • If a GCC resident or ex-pat is sponsored by a GCC national, they must be accompanied by the sponsor.

  • The GCC residency of the foreign national must be valid for at least 3 months at the time of arrival in the UAE.

  • Similarly, the passport of the foreign national must also have a 3 months validity at the time of arrival in the UAE.

  • Confirmed round-trip flight ticket or a flight ticket to another destination.

The visas are available upon arrival and offered by the UAE immigration at the UAE airports for those eligible for a UAE Visa On Arrival. 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 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?

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 To Apply For A Dubai Visa From Saudi Arabia

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 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.

Apply For A 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

If you are still confused and overwhelmed by the options, the easiest is to apply with Atlys. With Atlys, you can apply for your Dubai visa online hassle-free 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, you can apply for your Dubai Tourist Visa yourself. All you need to do is go to the website and click on the block that looks like this:

Then you just need to complete the application form, upload the required documents, review your application, pay the visa fee, and submit your application.

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.

Click on "Issuance of entry permit."

This will take you to another page where you must choose the visa type you want to apply for. Once you know what visa you want to apply for, click on it.

Next, you need to click on "Start service." This will take you to a new page where you need to create an account. After you create your account, you can start your application.

You must complete the visa application form, upload the required documents, pay your visa fee, and submit your application.

Please note that the websites aren't in English. You'll need a translator tool or just copy and paste the questions into goog translate.

Can I Extend My Dubai Tourist Visa?

Yes, you can. 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 SAR 612 (AED 600) for each time of renewal.

As mentioned above, visa overstayers who do not renew will have to pay SAR 102 (AED 100) fine for each day of their overstay, to be calculated 10 days after the visa expiry.

Additionally, for citizens legible for VOA, if you have fully utilized the 30 or 90 days stay within 6 months, you 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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