How to get a United Arab Emirates visa from South Africa

• This is a visa type for people whose stay in Dubai is intended for less than 4 days.
• It serves as a transit visa if your layover is at least 8 hours in the UAE.
• The visa takes about 3-4 working days to be processed.
• This visa is meant for vacation, recreational and relaxation purposes.
• A valid medical insurance is needed during the period of application.
• Letter of invitation from your host in the country is required.
• If you are traveling with a minor, original copy of the minor’s birth certificate should be provided.
• Applicants who have dual nationality should ensure the passport submitted upon entry is the same passport submitted on departure.
• Holders of this visa are not allowed to take up paid employment in the country.
• It is a single-entry visa.
• The visa typically costs $10.

• This visa category for those staying in Dubai for less than 30 days.
• The visa category allows its holders visit friends and relatives.
• Applicants should have return ticket to South Africa.
• All the documents submitted should not be more than 6 months old.
• Minors should have the original copy of their birth certificate.
• If you are visiting a family or relative in the country, a letter from your host should be provided.
• The letter should contain valid home address of the host.
• You cannot work during your time in the country.
• Applicants are expected to abide by all the rules and regulations in the country.
• It has a processing time of 3 – 4 working days at a fee of $90.
• It allows only for a single-entry.

• This is a short-term visa that allows you to leave the country and return as many times as you want.
• This visa type allows you to stay up to 30 days per visit.
• Applicants who have dual nationality should ensure the passport submitted upon entry is the same passport submitted on departure.
• A valid medical insurance is needed during the period of application.
• Applicants are expected to abide by all the rules and regulations in the country.
• Visitors without a return ticket may be refused entry.
• You will be refused entry if you have an extended validity on your passport.
• It takes about 3 – 4 working days to be processed.
• You can visit family and friends.

• It allows its holder to stay in the country for 90-days.
• It is commonly used by people travelling to any of the other seven Emirates for events.
• You can visit tourist sites in the country.
• If you are in the country for business you can apply for this visa type.
• If applicant is not a South African, a photocopy of South African stay permit is needed.
• Applicants without valid return ticket may be refused entry.
• Visitors with extended validity on their passport will not be allowed into the country.
• You are not allowed to take up work with this visa type.
• Applicants should make sure all the documents submitted are valid not more than 6 months old.

• This is for those whose travelling in and out of the UAE take longer than a month.
• You can make many entries into the country at 90 days per stay.
• It is commonly used by business people travelling in and out of the UAE for business.
• This visa allows you to visit friends or relatives. You can also visit several tourist sites in the country.
• Holders can go in and out of the UAE as many times as they desire.
• Applicants should have valid medical insurance.
• Minors should ensure they have the original copy of their birth certificate.
• If applicant is not a South African, a photocopy of South African stay permit is needed.
• Visitors are expected to abide by all the rules and regulations in the country.
• The visa fee is $460

The cost of a visa to Dubai depends on the type of visa you are applying for.

The fee paid is non-refundable.

The UAE is a single entity comprising of 7 emirates. One visa is enough for you to see the whole country.

Dubai visa takes 3 – 4 working days to be processed.

No, South Africans cannot obtain visa on arrival in Dubai.