PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: United Arab Emirates

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to the United Arab Emirates.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 60 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Tourist entry permit covers tourism/visiting. Business visits, work and residence need separate entry permits (ICP/GDRFA service catalogue). Transit passengers who leave the airport need a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months from date of entry.

  • How to apply

    Through a sponsor: Emirates/flydubai/Etihad/Air Arabia when flying with them, a UAE hotel or a licensed tourism establishment, which files with ICP (smartservices.icp.gov.ae, Abu Dhabi/other emirates) or GDRFA Dubai (gdrfad.gov.ae). GDRFA Dubai government fee: AED 200 (30-day) or AED 300 (60-day) plus 5% VAT; sponsor/airline charges are added on top (Emirates lists USD 90 single / USD 136 multiple for 30 days, USD 177 / USD 231 for 60 days; 96-hour transit visa USD 49, 48-hour USD 10). Processing about 48 hours. Conditional visa on arrival (residence permit holders): AED 100 (14 days) or AED 250 (60 days) at the airport.

  • Where South Africans apply

    No consular application in South Africa for ordinary tourist visas: the entry permit is arranged online through the airline, hotel or a UAE tour operator. Embassy of the UAE in Pretoria handles diplomatic/consular matters.

  • Travel insurance

    Mandatory for the tourist entry permit: 'valid medical insurance recognised in the UAE' (GDRFA Dubai) / 'health coverage is mandatory' (ICP FAQ). No minimum cover amount published on the pages checked.

  • Return or onward ticket

    Required: GDRFA Dubai lists a travel ticket for the onward journey; Emirates requires a confirmed return ticket for visas it arranges.

  • Accommodation or invitation

    Hotel reservation required for tourist visas arranged by Emirates; GDRFA requires a licensed tourism establishment as sponsor.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    Yellow fever certificate only if arriving from a yellow-fever transmission-risk country (UK FCDO). The UAE is not a yellow fever risk country, so South Africa's own certificate rule is not triggered on return.

  • Arrival forms

    No general arrival card for visitors. Prior Ministry of Health approval needed for narcotic/psychotropic/controlled medications.

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    Tourist entry permits can be renewed/extended inside the UAE via ICP/GDRFA (fees apply, e.g. AED 500 'fee inside UAE' plus surcharges at GDRFA). Conditional VOA: 14-day extendable once, 60-day not extendable. Overstay: AED 50 per day (MOFA June 2026 announcement); exit bans possible for debts/legal cases.

  • Transit

    Airside transit without passing immigration: no visa. Leaving the airport: 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa arranged by the UAE airline (Emirates: USD 10 / USD 49). Passport valid at least 3 months for transit (FCDO).

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Official, mofa.gov.ae) https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/visa-exemptions-for-non-citizen
  2. 2. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Official, mofa.gov.ae) https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2026/6/25/uae-grants-visa-on-arrival
  3. 3. GDRFA Dubai (Official, gdrfad.gov.ae) https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/services/f9e586fe-0642-11ec-0320-0050569629e8
  4. 4. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) (Official, icp.gov.ae) https://icp.gov.ae/en/faq/
  5. 5. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/entry-requirements
  6. 6. Emirates (UAE state airline) (Commercial, emirates.com) https://www.emirates.com/us/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/

From doineedavisa.co.za/united-arab-emirates. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.