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Dubai Visa for South Africans: New Visa on Arrival Rules
TL;DR
We help South African passport holders get a UAE tourist visa quickly and reliably. A 30 day single entry visa costs AED 450 and a 60 day visa costs AED 650. A 30 day multiple entry visa costs AED 800 and a 60 day multiple entry visa costs AED 1,000. As of 25 June 2026, South African citizens holding a valid residence permit from the United States, a European Union member state, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea or Singapore can also get a UAE visa on arrival, either a 14 day visa for AED 100 or a 60 day visa for AED 250. You will need a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photo, hotel or accommodation proof and a return flight ticket. If you are a UAE resident booking this visa for your own family member or friend, you can pay with Tabby, Tamara or a UAE credit card over up to 12 months. Other applicants are sent a secure online payment link.
New: UAE Visa on Arrival Now Includes South African Citizens
On 25 June 2026, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, known as ICP, together with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officially expanded the UAE’s visa on arrival scheme to include South Africa, alongside Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Kenya. India was the only nationality eligible for this facility before this update. If you have read elsewhere, including older versions of this page, that South Africans are not eligible for visa on arrival, that information is now out of date.
Who qualifies. You can use this route if you hold a South African passport and a valid residence permit issued by one of the following, with at least six months validity remaining:
- The United States
- A European Union member state
- The United Kingdom
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
- Japan
- South Korea
- Singapore
What it costs and how long it lasts. Two options are available at the border. A 14 day visa costs AED 100 and can be extended once for a further 14 days at AED 250. A 60 day visa costs AED 250 and is a single stay that cannot be extended. Your South African passport needs at least six months validity remaining either way.
One detail worth knowing. The official announcement specifies a residence permit rather than a short stay tourist visa. If you hold only a tourist visa in one of these nine countries rather than a residence permit, we would recommend confirming your specific eligibility with us before booking your flight, since border officers apply the official wording strictly.
If you do not currently hold a qualifying residence permit, this facility will not apply to you yet, and you will need a standard pre arranged UAE tourist visa before you fly. That process is simple, and we handle it for you every day.
UAE Visa Types and Fees for South African Citizens
For South African travellers applying for a standard UAE tourist visa in advance, here is exactly what is available.
Standard tourist visas, single entry
- 30 day tourist visa, AED 450
- 60 day tourist visa, AED 650
Multiple entry visas
- 30 day multiple entry visa, AED 800
- 60 day multiple entry visa, AED 1,000, useful if you plan to enter and exit the UAE more than once during your trip
Documents Required for South African Citizens
- South African passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry, with at least two blank pages
- A recent passport size photograph with a white background
- A copy of your passport back cover
- A confirmed return or onward flight ticket
- Hotel booking confirmation or accommodation proof, such as an invitation letter if staying with family
You will not be asked for a bank statement to apply for the UAE visa itself. UAE immigration officers can, at their discretion, ask arriving travellers to show proof of funds on arrival, so it is worth carrying a recent bank statement or equivalent with you when you travel, even though it is not part of the application we submit for you.
How to Apply for a UAE Visa from South Africa
- Choose your visa type based on how long you plan to stay and how many entries you need
- Send us your passport copy, back cover, a recent photo and your travel details over WhatsApp or through our website
- We prepare your application and submit it on your behalf
- Pay securely. If you are a UAE resident booking this visa for your own family member or friend, you can pay with Tabby, Tamara or a UAE credit card spread over up to 12 months. Other applicants are sent a secure online payment link
- Track your application status with our team while it is being processed
- Receive your approved visa by email, ready to travel
UAE Visa Processing Time
Most standard tourist visa applications for South African citizens are processed within 2 to 3 working days once all documents are submitted correctly. We recommend applying 2 to 4 weeks before your intended travel date where possible, to leave room for any follow up requests and avoid last minute complications. Incomplete documentation, an unclear photograph or mismatched passport details are the most common reasons an application takes longer than expected.
Visa Extension Options
A 30 day tourist visa can be extended three times, in 30 day increments, without needing to exit the UAE. A 60 day tourist visa can be extended twice, in 30 day increments, also without needing to exit. To extend, you will need your original passport, a passport size photo, proof of accommodation and your return ticket. We can handle the extension application on your behalf so you do not need to visit an immigration office in person.
Once you have used up the maximum number of extensions for your visa type, you will need to exit the UAE and re enter on a fresh visa. This can be done through an airport to airport visa change, commonly called A-to-A Visa change, or by taking one of the bus routes out of the country and back in, before applying again.
Sponsoring a Friend or Family Member in the UAE
If you are a UAE resident and want to sponsor a South African friend or family member’s visit, you will need to provide your residence visa, your Emirates ID, proof of accommodation, and the visitor’s passport details as part of the sponsor application. This is also the situation where Tabby, Tamara and UAE credit card installments apply, since these payment options are available to UAE residents booking on behalf of their own family member or friend. If you are applying for yourself from South Africa without a UAE based sponsor, you will be sent a secure online payment link instead.
Book Your UAE Visa with White Sky Travel
We are a Dubai based travel agency at Room 202, Royal Class Building, Dubai Investment Park 1, handling UAE visas for South African travellers every day, whether that means checking if you already qualify for the new visa on arrival or arranging a standard tourist visa for you. Along with your visa, we can arrange your flights, hotel and tour packages so your whole trip is sorted in one place.
Contact us on WhatsApp at +971 4 220 2133 or +971 52 292 1011, available 24/7.
FAQ
Can South Africans get a UAE visa on arrival?
Yes, since 25 June 2026, South African passport holders who hold a valid residence permit from the United States, a European Union member state, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea or Singapore can receive a visa on arrival, either a 14 day visa for AED 100 or a 60 day visa for AED 250. Before this date, South Africans did not have visa on arrival access, so older information stating otherwise is now out of date.
Do I qualify for visa on arrival if I only have a tourist visa, not a residence permit?
The official UAE announcement specifies a residence permit rather than a short stay visa. If you hold a tourist visa rather than a residence permit in one of the nine listed countries, confirm your eligibility with us before booking your flight, rather than assuming it applies.
Do South Africans need a visa for the UAE?
Yes, South African passport holders need a pre-approved visa or a qualifying visa on arrival document before travelling to any part of the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or any other emirate.
How much is a UAE visa from South Africa?
A 30 day UAE tourist visa costs AED 450 and a 60 day visa costs AED 650. Multiple entry versions cost AED 800 for 30 days and AED 1,000 for 60 days.
What documents are required for a South African UAE visa application?
A passport valid for at least six months, a recent passport photo, a copy of your passport back cover, and a confirmed return flight ticket. Hotel booking or accommodation proof also helps support your application. A bank statement is not required for the visa application itself, though UAE immigration may ask to see proof of funds on arrival.
How long does a Dubai visa take for South African citizens?
Standard processing takes 2 to 3 working days. We recommend applying 2 to 4 weeks before your travel date where possible.
How many times can I extend my UAE tourist visa?
A 30 day tourist visa can be extended three times, in 30 day increments, without exiting the UAE. A 60 day tourist visa can be extended twice, also in 30 day increments. After that, you need to exit and re enter through an airport to airport visa change or by bus before applying again.