UAE Tourist Visa Terms and Conditions
Visa Approval Authority
All decisions rest with UAE immigration: ICP or GDRFA Dubai. Arabiers submits your application but has no influence over the outcome. An unsuccessful application does not entitle you to a refund.
Fees and Refunds
All visa fees are non-refundable once processing begins. This is a UAE government requirement that applies to every licensed agent. If Arabiers cannot submit your application due to a disclosed immigration issue, no charge is made.
Processing Times
Standard applications take 2 to 3 working days. Priority applications typically complete in 4 to 8 hours on UAE working days. Both are estimates; government systems occasionally experience delays outside our control.
Overstay Fines
Overstaying is a violation of UAE immigration law. Fines apply from the first day after expiry: AED 50 per day plus ICP administrative fees and an exit permit fee on departure. All fines must be cleared through ICP before a new application can proceed. Full details are on the UAE overstay fine page.
Absconding
Licensed agencies are required by UAE law to report overstaying visitors to immigration. Arabiers complies. Consequences include daily fines, an absconding fee, risk of deportation and a GCC-wide entry ban. Exit requires full fine clearance through ICP.
Immigration History
Tell Arabiers before applying if you have: an active UAE entry ban, a cancelled residence visa not yet cleared from ICP, another visa application in progress for the same passport, or any previous overstay or deportation. Undisclosed history may delay or block your application.
Visa Validity
Your permitted stay starts from the date you enter the UAE, not the issue date. You must enter within 60 days of issue or the visa lapses. A 30-day visa gives 30 days in-country from entry; a 60-day visa gives 60 days. Multiple entry visas allow repeated entries within the validity period.
Extensions and Replacements
Apply to extend before your current visa expires. There is no grace period. Eligibility depends on your visa type. Prepaid visa holders can extend twice in-country; 30-day on-arrival holders can extend once. Full options and fees are on the visa extension page. For in-country status changes, see changing your visa without exit.
Airport-to-Airport Service
The airport-to-airport visa change runs from Dubai International Airport only, on flydubai return flights. The process is entirely airside. If the new visa is not approved within 48 hours of transit, you must book a return flight home at your own cost. Arabiers does not cover rescheduling or additional flight expenses.
Travel Insurance
Valid travel insurance covering medical treatment, hospitalisation and evacuation in the UAE is required for all visitors. You are responsible for arranging cover before travel. Arabiers does not accept liability for uninsured costs.
UAE Working Week
Government processing runs Monday to Thursday (full day) and Friday to 12:00 PM only. Saturday and Sunday are the UAE weekend. No government processing occurs. Applications received after Friday noon queue for Monday. Arabiers is open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 9 PM.
Public Holidays
No government processing takes place on UAE public holidays, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Commemoration Day and National Day. Allow at least 5 to 7 working days before travel during holiday seasons.
Exit Stamps
When leaving the UAE as part of a visa change or Oman visa run, use the manual immigration counter rather than the e-gate to obtain a physical exit stamp. This provides a clear departure record when re-entering on a new visa.
OK to Board
Some airlines require passengers to confirm their UAE visa is valid before boarding (OK to board / OTB). This is issued by the airline, not UAE immigration. ECR passport holders are most commonly affected. Arabiers does not arrange OTB confirmations. Missed flights due to OTB issues are at the applicant's cost.
Peak Surcharges
Processing fees may include a surcharge during Eid, National Day and other high-demand periods. The applicable fee is always confirmed before payment is taken.
Arabiers Liability
Arabiers (DET 1176592) is a licensed processing agent, not an immigration authority. Arabiers does not accept liability for visa outcomes, processing delays, flight or accommodation costs, overstay fines, absconding fees, OTB issues or costs arising from the airport-to-airport service. These terms are governed by UAE law and subject to the jurisdiction of Dubai courts.