Dubai Tourist Visa on Visit Dubai: A New Way to Apply From November 2026

Soon you’ll be able to plan a Dubai trip and apply for the visa on the same website. On 1 November 2026, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that tourist visa applications will open onVisit Dubai, the city’s official tourism website, sometime this month. A new loyalty programme for repeat visitors, the Dubai Access Club, was announced at the same time.

Below we explain what’s new, what stays the same and what to do now.

What’s new?

• Visa applications on Visit Dubai: Travellers will be able to apply for tourist visas on the same site they use to browse attractions, book tickets and plan itineraries.
• More visa types later: Dubai plans to add other visa categories in future.
• No exact launch date yet: The service is due “during November 2026,” but no date has been confirmed. Until Visit Dubai says it’s live, assume it isn’t.

Which tourist visa categories can you apply for?

• 30 Days Single entry: One entry into the UAE, suited to a one-time holiday or short visit.
• 30 Days Multiple entry: Several entries within the visa validity, suited to frequent visitors and repeat travellers.
• 60 Days Single entry: One entry into the UAE, suited to a one-time holiday or short visit.
• 60 Days Multiple entry: Several entries within the visa validity, suited to frequent visitors and repeat travellers.

Available categories and durations are set by the authorities and may change. Check the Visit Dubai visa page for the exact options on the day you apply.

Who decides on your visa?

Nothing changes here. The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) will still review every application and issue every visa. Visit Dubai is just another way to submit your application. It doesn’t replace the authority.

All the current official routes stay open:

• GDRFA Dubai online services
• The GDRFA DXB app
• Authorised tourism offices and travel agents
• Airlines such as Emirates and flydubai

What stays the same?

Entry rules. Nobody’s visa requirement changes. If your nationality gets visa-free entry or a visa on arrival today, that continues. If you need a visa before travel, you still do. Check your nationality on theUAE Government portal before you book.

What documents should you prepare now?

You can get these ready before the service goes live:

• Passport with enough validity (check the current minimum on the official page)
• Clear scan of your passport cover page (the front And Back cover page of the passport)
• Clear scan of your passport bio page (the page with your photo name and address page details)
• Recent passport-size photograph as per specifications
• Confirmed return or onward ticket
• Valid travel medical insurance (GDRFA lists insurance nd a travel ticket as requirements)
• Hotel booking, or your host’s address in Dubai
• Clear, legible scans of every document

The official page has the final list. Always check it there before you submit.

Should you wait for Visit Dubai?

Travelling in the next few weeks? Apply now through an existing official channel. The launch date isn’t confirmed, so waiting could put your trip at risk.

Travelling later? Watch the Visit Dubai visa page for news that the service is live, then use whichever official route suits you.

Whichever route you choose, apply only on official portals or through authorised agents. Be wary of anyone offering “early access” to the new service or charging extra for it. The federalICP Smart Services platform is another official source for UAE entry permits.

FAQs

Can I apply for a Dubai visa on Visit Dubai today?
Not yet. The service is due to launch in November 2026, and no date has been confirmed. GDRFA Dubai will still make the final decision on every application.

Which visa categories will be available?
Tourist visas in single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry categories. Other visa types are planned for later. Check the Visit Dubai visa page for the final list.

Does this make Dubai visa-free for more countries?
No. The current entry rules for every nationality stay the same.

Do Indian passport holders still need a visa?
Most Indian travellers still need a visa before travel. Some, such as holders of a valid US visa or a UK or EU residence permit, may be eligible for a visa on arrival. Check your eligibility on the UAE Government portal before you book.

Which passport pages do I need to upload?
Keep scans of your passport cover page and bio page ready. Confirm the exact requirements on the official page before you submit.

Need help with your Dubai visa?

Small document errors are the most common cause of visa delays. BTW Visa Services can review your documents and walk you through the official process, so you get it right the first time. For final requirements, always check with GDRFA Dubai.