90-day visa on arrival: no application needed
Saudi nationals receive a 90-day multiple-entry visa on arrival at any UAE airport. No prepaid visa, no application, no fee. Your passport is stamped on arrival.Source: ICP / GDRFA, 2026
Saudi passport holders
| Detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Visa type | 90-day multiple-entry on arrival |
| Stay permitted | Up to 90 days total within a 6-month window from first arrival |
| Cost | Free: issued by UAE immigration at the airport |
| Application needed | None. Present your Saudi passport at UAE immigration. |
| Passport validity | Minimum 6 months remaining from date of travel |
No grace period: as of October 2024, ICP removed the grace period on UAE tourist visas. Overstay fines begin from the first day after expiry. Exit or extend before your stamp expires.
If you want to stay beyond 90 days
1 Apply for a UAE tourist visa extension
Apply for a UAE tourist visa extension from inside the country before your on-arrival stamp expires.
2 Exit and re-enter via Oman
Exit the UAE and return for a fresh on-arrival stamp. Most visitors use the Oman border crossing for this.
3 Apply for a sponsored tourist visa
Once your on-arrival days are used, apply for a UAE tourist visit visa through a licensed sponsor. Available in 30 or 60 days.
Other nationals living in Saudi Arabia
If you live in Saudi Arabia but hold a passport from a different country, you can apply for a Dubai visa using your Iqama (Saudi residence permit) as the qualifying document. Two routes are available.
About the Iqama: The Iqama (إقامة) is the Saudi residence permit. Both the physical Iqama card and the Absher digital extract showing your profession and permit validity are accepted.
Route 1: Apply via GDRFA Dubai smart portal
Apply at smart.gdrfa.gov.ae with your Iqama, passport copy and photo. Your profession on the Iqama must be on the GDRFA approved list.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Total cost | AED 252.5 (AED 52.5 service + AED 100 application + AED 100 issuance) |
| Processing time | 48 hours: service available 24/7 |
| Documents | Colour photo, passport copy (incl. outer cover, min 6 months valid), Iqama copy showing profession |
| Delivery | Visa emailed as PDF e-visa upon approval |
| Qualifying document | a valid Saudi Iqama with at least 6 months remaining validity |
Source: GDRFA Dubai, September 2026
Route 2: Apply through airline or tour operator
Apply for a UAE tourist visit visa through a licensed airline or tour operator. Submit your passport copy and photo. A 30-day or 60-day tourist visa is available. No profession list restriction applies to this route.
Pakistani nationals in Saudi Arabia: Pakistani passport holders with a valid Iqama are eligible for the Dubai visa on the same basis as all other nationalities. Your profession on the Iqama must be on the GDRFA approved list. If not, apply via Route 2 (airline or tour operator). See the Pakistani GCC residents section of the full guide.
Full guide
Dubai Visa for GCC Residents: Complete Guide
For the complete guide covering profession list, step-by-step application, rejection reasons, multiple-entry options, family and domestic workers, and answers to all GCC residents visa questions: Saudi Arabia is a GCC member state. Your Iqama qualifies under the GDRFA Dubai entry visa for GCC residents.
Read the full GCC residents guide →
Frequently asked questions
No. Saudi passport holders receive a 90-day multiple-entry visa on arrival in Dubai. No prepaid visa is required. Your passport is stamped at the airport.
Two options. Option 1: apply via the GDRFA smart portal at smart.gdrfa.gov.ae using your Iqama as the qualifying document. Total cost: AED 252.5. Processing: 48 hours. Option 2: apply through a licensed airline or tour operator with your passport copy and photo. A 30 or 60-day tourist visa is available through this route.
For the GDRFA portal route: (1) colour photo with white background; (2) passport copy including outer cover, valid for at least 6 months; (3) a valid Saudi Iqama with at least 6 months remaining validity showing your profession. For the airline/tour operator route: passport copy and photo only.
India, Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. Your Iqama must be valid for at least 6 months. Other nationalities living in Saudi Arabia must apply for a UAE tourist visa in advance through Route 2.
Via GDRFA portal: AED 252.5 total (AED 52.5 service fee + AED 100 application fee + AED 100 issuance fee). Via airline or tour operator: fees vary by provider and visa duration.
If the GDRFA portal rejects your application due to profession, apply via Route 2: a UAE tourist visit visa through a licensed airline or tour operator. This route does not carry a profession restriction. For more on the profession list, see the profession list section of the full GCC residents guide.
No. As of October 2024, ICP removed the grace period on UAE tourist visas. Overstay fines begin from the first day after the stamp expires. Exit or extend before your visa runs out.