Dubai visa for South Africa citizens: price, documents and process

Travellers from South Africa who need a Dubai visa can get a 30 or 60 day UAE tourist visa from us in single or multiple entry, and the approval normally takes between 24 and 72 hours. The 30 day visa starts at AED 450, four documents are enough for most applicants, and we handle every step on WhatsApp. This page explains what a South Africa passport holder pays, what to send, how long it takes, and how the visa can be extended once you are in the UAE.

Quick answer: a Dubai visa for a South Africa passport costs AED 450 for 30 days single entry, AED 650 for 60 days single entry, AED 800 for 30 days multiple entry and AED 1,000 for 60 days multiple entry. Processing takes 24 to 72 hours and the visa must be used to enter the UAE within 60 days of issue.

Do South Africa passport holders need a Dubai visa?

Unless a passport qualifies for visa on arrival, a prearranged tourist visa is required, and that is what we provide. A shorter list of nationalities can enter with a stamp on arrival, and that list moves occasionally. To be certain about the current rule for South Africa citizens, WhatsApp us your passport page and we will check it at no cost.

South Africa passport Dubai visa fees

Current Dubai visa pricing for South Africa citizens, verified September 2026:

• Single entry 30 day visa: AED 450
• Single entry 60 day visa: AED 650
• 30 day multiple entry: AED 800
• 60 day tourist visa, multiple entry: AED 1,000

No tourist visa shorter than 30 days is available. The visa fee is paid to immigration at submission and cannot be refunded if the application is declined.

Security deposits explained

For a limited set of countries a refundable deposit is requested. This is independent of the visa cost, refunded once you depart the UAE, and we tell South Africa applicants in advance whether one applies.

Spreading the cost

Residents of the UAE booking for South Africa visitors can use Tabby for up to 12 months, Tamara with extendable repayment, or a UAE credit card with 3, 6, 9 or 12 month terms set by the card issuer. Everyone else is sent a secure payment link online.

What South Africa citizens need to send us

Send these on WhatsApp and we can usually confirm eligibility within the hour:

1. A clear scan of your South Africa passport, both the data page and the back cover, with at least six months validity. Missing back covers cause most resubmissions.
2. One colour passport photo on a plain white background.
3. A return or two way flight ticket; if you do not have one, we can arrange the flights.
4. If the applicant is a minor, a birth certificate. Certain passports additionally need a national ID card copy.

A bank statement covering six months is required for certain passports. Where South Africa citizens are affected, the statement of a family member living in the UAE is accepted. Please also carry a card or some cash, since immigration can ask arriving visitors to show proof of funds.

If a UAE resident is sponsoring you

For sponsored applications the UAE resident supplies a passport copy and residence visa page valid for six months, both sides of their Emirates ID, and the online guarantee form at applyvisa.app. If a statement is requested, a UAE family member may supply it on the applicant’s behalf, but a friend’s statement is not accepted.

Getting your Dubai visa in four steps

1. WhatsApp your documents to +971 52 292 1011 or +971 4 220 2133. We review them within hours and recommend the right visa for your trip.
2. Complete payment through the link or instalment option we provide. We submit the application once documents and payment are in place.
3. We lodge the application and track it. Approval for South Africa passports usually takes 24 to 72 hours; immigration can sometimes extend this or ask for more paperwork.
4. You receive the approved visa as a PDF on WhatsApp. Print a copy or keep it on your phone and present it with your passport at check in and on arrival.

How long the Dubai visa is valid

The visa must be used to enter the UAE within 60 days of the date of issue. Your 30 or 60 days of stay begin on the day you enter, not on the day the visa is issued. A single entry visa allows one arrival; a multiple entry visa lets you leave and re enter as often as you like within the validity, which suits travellers combining the UAE with Oman, Saudi Arabia or Qatar. A tourist visa does not permit employment in the UAE.

No grace period and the AED 50 daily fine

Once a visit visa expires, no extra days are granted. The overstay fine is AED 50 per day, applied uniformly across every emirate and visa category, from the first day past expiry. Anyone who overstays by more than 30 days also needs an exit permit, typically AED 250 to 300, before leaving. We send South Africa clients a reminder on WhatsApp before the visa expires so that you can extend or exit in time.

Extending a Dubai visa for South Africa passport holders

Extensions of 30 days are available three times on a 30 day visa and twice on a 60 day visa, with no exit needed. Combined stay is capped at 120 days. Once you reach the maximum, you must exit and re enter, either through an airport to airport visa change or by bus to Oman. You must apply before the visa runs out; we recommend contacting us with at least seven days to spare.

Sharjah 60 day visa

For South Africa travellers who prefer it, the Sharjah 60 day single entry visa costs AED 1,200 and carries no deposit. The visa allows travel throughout the UAE, not only Sharjah. Ask us on WhatsApp which option is better for a South Africa passport.

Mistakes South Africa applicants should avoid

• No back cover scan. Send it together with the front page.
• A passport expiring within six months of travel.
• Poor quality scans. Make sure the whole page is visible and readable.
• Earlier violations or uncancelled visas. Be open with us so we can check the record first.
• Passports bearing a single name, which require a supporting document before we can apply.
• Last minute applications. Give us a minimum of three working days, longer around Eid and the winter peak.

South Africa passport Dubai visa FAQ

How many days until approval?

Typically 24 to 72 hours. Immigration sets the timeline and may ask for more documents, so allow three working days or more before your flight.

What does the 30 day visa cost?

The 30 day visa is AED 450 single entry or AED 800 multiple entry, with Indian and Filipino passports at AED 400 and AED 750. Some nationalities may also need a refundable deposit.

Price of a two month visa?

AED 650 single or AED 1,000 multiple entry, with the Indian and Filipino tariff at AED 600 and AED 950.

Is a bank statement required for a South Africa passport?

Some nationalities need a six month statement, others do not. A UAE family member’s statement can be used where required. Immigration may still ask for proof of funds at the airport. Ask us on WhatsApp about South Africa passports.

Can the visa be extended?

It can be extended in country: three times for a 30 day visa, twice for a 60 day visa, 30 days each, with a 120 day ceiling. After that, exit and re enter on a new visa.

What happens if I overstay by a day?

None. The AED 50 daily fine starts the day after the visa expires, with an exit permit of around AED 250 to 300 added after 30 days of overstay.

Refund policy on rejection?

No refund applies on refusal, since immigration retains the processing charge. You can apply again once the problem is addressed.

Is there a visa for minors?

Yes. Minors receive their own visa at the adult price, and we ask for a birth certificate with the usual documents.

Does the tourist visa allow employment?

No. A tourist visa does not permit employment. You may attend interviews and visit, but working requires a residence visa sponsored by an employer.

Ready to apply? Message us

Send your passport copy and intended dates on WhatsApp to +971 52 292 1011 or +971 4 220 2133. We confirm the exact fee, the document list and any rule specific to South Africa passports, then share payment or instalment details. Our office is at Room 202, Royal Class Building, Dubai Investment Park 1, Dubai. Alongside visas we book flights, hotels, insurance and tours across the UAE.