1–2 working days
A2A Visa Change
Renew or switch your UAE visa status airport-to-airport, without leaving the country.
Starting fromAED 1,850
Apply Now
UAE Visa Services Hub
Every UAE Visa Route, Sorted in One Chat.
Tourist visa, family sponsorship, A2A visa change, or B2B by bus — tell us your situation and our Dubai & Abu Dhabi visa desk handles the rest.
✓ IATA-Accredited Agency
✓ Serving the UAE Since 2022
✓ Dubai & Abu Dhabi Offices
✓ All 7 Emirates Covered
Quick answer: The UAE offers four main visa routes for most travelers and residents: a tourist visa (from AED 649, 3–5 days) for short visits; a family visa (AED 2,500–4,500, 5–15 working days) to sponsor a spouse, children or parents; and A2A visa change (same day, via Muscat, Bahrain or Kuwait) and B2B visa change by bus (around a day, via the Oman land border) to renew a tourist visa without flying home. Gulliver Travels processes all four across every emirate.
Visa Services
UAE Visa
Recommended by top brands and globetrotters for reliable, high-quality travel solutions — every application tracked from submission to approval.
1–2 working days
7–10 working days
UAE Family Visa
Sponsor your spouse, children or parents for UAE residency with full documentation support.
Starting fromAED 2499
Apply Now
3–5 working days
UAE Tourist Visa
30, 60 or 90-day tourist visas for visitors to Dubai, processed and delivered digitally.
Starting fromAED 650
Apply Now
1–2 working days
B2B Visa Change
A quick land-border exit and re-entry to update your UAE visa status by bus.
Starting fromAED 999
Apply Now
Understanding UAE Immigration
How UAE Visas Actually Work
Every visa issued in the UAE — whether a short tourist entry, a family sponsorship, or a residence permit — is processed by one of two government bodies: the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai, or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), which covers Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the remaining emirates. The visa itself is a national permit — it doesn't matter which airport or emirate you land in, the same tourist or residence visa applies across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain.
What differs between travelers is which entry route fits their situation. A first-time visitor typically needs a tourist visa. Someone with a spouse, parent or child already living in the UAE needs family sponsorship. A tourist whose visa is running out but who isn't ready to leave has two renewal paths — a short flight (A2A) or a bus trip to the Oman border (B2B). This page walks through all four, with the real costs, eligibility rules and processing times as they stand for 2026, followed by the practical steps, documents, and mistakes that most often cause delays.
At a Glance
Compare All 4 UAE Visa Services
A side-by-side view to help you identify the right starting point before reading the full details below.
| Visa Type | Best For | Starting Price | Processing Time | Sponsor Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Tourist Visa | Short visits, tourism, family visits, business trips | AED 449 (30/60/90-days) | 3–5 days (24h express) | No |
| Family Visa | Sponsoring spouse, children or parents | AED 2,500–5,500 | 5–15 working days | You sponsor them |
| A2A Visa Change | Fast tourist visa renewal via flight | Varies by package | Same day (4–24 hrs) | Guarantor required |
| B2B Visa Change by Bus | Lower-cost tourist visa renewal via Oman border | From AED 949 | ~1 day / overnight | Guarantor may be required |
Prices and processing times are indicative for 2026 and vary by nationality, emirate, season and current visa status. Confirm your exact quote with our team before booking.
Service 1 of 4
UAE Tourist Visa
The UAE tourist visa — also called a visit visa — is the standard short-term entry permit for non-residents visiting for tourism, family visits, business meetings or medical care. It does not permit employment. The UAE offers 30, 60 and 90-day options in single or multiple-entry formats, plus short transit visas for layovers and a 5-year multiple-entry visa for frequent travelers.
Eligibility
- Around 90 nationalities get visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry — check before you pay for one
- Everyone else needs a pre-arranged tourist visa
- The 5-year visa requires roughly USD 4,000 in bank balance over 6 months and no sponsor
Documents Needed
- Passport valid 6+ months, clear colour scan
- Recent passport photo, white background, 35×45mm
- Confirmed return or onward flight
- Proof of UAE accommodation (hotel or host address)
Processing note: Your visa is valid for entry for 60 days from the date of issue, and your authorised stay is counted from the day you actually arrive — not the issue date. Applying too early or too close to travel are both common, avoidable mistakes.
Service 2 of 4
UAE Family Visa (Dependent Residence Visa)
The Family Residence Visa — also called a Dependent Visa — lets eligible UAE residents sponsor their spouse, children and, in certain cases, parents to live legally in the UAE. Since the 2019 reform, sponsorship is no longer tied to your job title — any resident meeting the salary threshold can sponsor dependents, regardless of occupation.
Who You Can Sponsor
- Husband or wife (attested marriage certificate required)
- Sons up to 18, or 25 if in full-time study; unmarried daughters at any age
- Parents — AED 20,000/month standard, or from AED 10,000 via the humanitarian route
- Golden and Green Visa holders: no minimum salary required
Key Documents
- Sponsor's passport, Emirates ID, residence visa & salary certificate
- Valid tenancy contract — Ejari (Dubai) or Tawtheeq (Abu Dhabi)
- Attested marriage/birth certificates (apostille or embassy, then UAE MOFA)
- Medical fitness certificate for dependents over 18
Female sponsors can sponsor a husband and children too, typically at a higher salary bar of around AED 10,000/month, with additional ICP approval in some emirates. If your family is already in the UAE on a visit visa, an in-country status change adds roughly AED 750 per applicant on top of standard fees.
Service 3 of 4
Airport-to-Airport (A2A) Visa Change
A2A visa change lets a tourist or short-term visitor extend their UAE stay without flying all the way home. You take a short flight to a nearby country — commonly Muscat, Bahrain or Kuwait — and fly back the same or next day with a fresh UAE entry stamp and a new tourist visa.
Who Can Use It
- Visitors currently on a UAE tourist visa
- Travelers with an on-arrival visa
- Individuals with a cancelled residence visa
Documents Needed
- Passport copy, valid 6+ months
- Current UAE visa copy
- Guarantor's passport & Emirates ID (min. 3 months' visa validity)
- Passport-size photo; birth certificate for children
Morning departures typically return the same evening; evening departures return the following morning. All packages bundle the visa fee and flight into one all-inclusive price — ask for your nationality-specific quote, as it varies by destination and season.
Service 4 of 4
Border-to-Border (B2B) Visa Change by Bus
B2B visa change — also known as the Oman visa-run by road — is the lower-cost alternative to A2A. Instead of flying, you travel by bus from Dubai or Sharjah to the Oman land border, exit the UAE, and return once your new tourist visa is processed. It's a practical option for travelers who don't need same-day speed and want to save on cost.
Who Can Use It
- Valid UAE tourist visa holders nearing or past their stay limit
- Eligible cancelled UAE residence visa cases
- Commonly used by Filipino, Indian, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Central Asian travelers
What's Included
- 10-day Oman tourist visa assistance
- Round-trip bus transport & border fee
- Hotel accommodation for overnight packages
- New UAE tourist visa processing (60-day)
If your UAE visa has already expired, you can still apply, but overstay fines (around AED 50/day) must be settled before travel — our team can guide you through this before booking.
A Common Question
A2A vs B2B: Which Visa Renewal Should You Choose?
Both A2A and B2B renew a UAE tourist visa by exiting and re-entering the country — the difference is how you travel, how fast it is, and what it costs.
| A2A (Airport-to-Airport) | B2B (Bus, via Oman border) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of travel | Short flight (Muscat, Bahrain or Kuwait) | Bus to the Oman land border |
| Speed | Fastest — 4 to 24 hours | About a day, or overnight for evening departures |
| Typical cost | Higher — includes a flight | Lower — from AED 949 |
| Comfort | Airport-to-airport, minimal waiting | Longer road journey, hotel included on overnight packages |
| Best for | Travelers who value speed and convenience | Travelers prioritising cost over speed |
Neither option is "better" outright — it comes down to your budget, how much time you can spare, and where you're based. Dubai and Sharjah residents often lean toward B2B for the lower price point, while travelers who need to be back the same evening tend to choose A2A. Send us your current visa status and we'll recommend the more suitable route for your case.
Choosing Your Starting Point
Applying From Inside vs Outside the UAE
One of the most useful questions to answer before choosing a visa route isn't just "which visa do I want" — it's "where am I applying from." Your current location changes which of the four services actually applies to you.
Already Inside the UAE
If you're currently in the UAE on a tourist visa and your stay is running out, you have two renewal paths: A2A visa change (faster, via a short flight) or B2B visa change by bus (lower cost, via the Oman land border). If you want to bring in family, an in-country status change may apply — this typically adds a modest official fee but avoids the need to exit and re-enter for a new entry permit. Which route makes sense depends on your nationality, current visa type and how much time you have before expiry.
Applying From Abroad
If you're outside the UAE and planning your first trip, the tourist visa is usually your starting point — whether the goal is a holiday, a family visit, or testing the waters before a longer-term move. From there, family sponsorship or an extended stay can be arranged once you're either inside the country or once your sponsor/employer has initiated the process on your behalf. Applicants abroad typically complete an entry permit stage before any residence formalities begin.
Because eligibility for status changes and renewals depends heavily on your specific visa history, nationality and how close you are to your current visa's expiry, this is exactly the kind of detail worth confirming with our team before you commit to a route — a wrong guess here can mean paying for a package that doesn't fit your case.
Pricing Transparency
What UAE Visa Fees Actually Include
One of the most common points of confusion for first-time applicants is why visa prices differ between websites and agencies. In reality, nearly every UAE visa fee is built from the same four components — what changes is which of them a given price actually includes.
1. Government Fee
Set directly by GDRFA or ICP depending on the visa type and emirate — identical no matter which agency you apply through. For a 30-day tourist visa this is roughly AED 200; for 60-day, around AED 300.
2. 5% VAT
Applied to UAE government services on top of the base government fee, as with most official transactions in the country.
3. Insurance
Basic medical or COVID-related cover for the duration of the visa, required for most tourist and visit visa categories.
4. Service Charge
The agency or typing centre's own handling fee — this is the only component that genuinely varies between providers, and the reason two "identical" visa quotes can look different.
Understanding this breakdown is useful beyond tourist visas — family visa costs (entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, visa stamping and insurance) follow the same logic: a government-set core cost, plus the agency's service component. Ask any provider for an itemised breakdown before booking, not just a single headline number.
How It Works
The UAE Visa Application Process, Step by Step
While each visa type has its own specific stages, the overall shape of the process is similar across all four services. Here's the general path we follow with every client.
1
Tell Us Your Situation
Your nationality, current visa status, travel dates and goal — visiting, sponsoring family, or renewing a visa.
2
Eligibility Check
We confirm which visa route actually applies to you before quoting anything, so you're never paying for the wrong package.
3
Document Collection & Review
Send your documents via WhatsApp or email. We check them against the current requirements before anything is submitted.
4
Submission to GDRFA / ICP
Your application is filed with the correct authority for your emirate — GDRFA for Dubai, ICP for the rest of the UAE.
5
Processing & Status Updates
We track your case and flag early if anything needs correction, rather than waiting for a rejection notice.
6
Visa Issued
Your e-visa, entry permit or residence visa is delivered — by email for tourist visas, or through the relevant stamping/Emirates ID process for residence visas.
Preparation
Consolidated Document Checklist
Requirements vary by visa type, but these documents come up across nearly every UAE visa application. Having them ready in advance is the single biggest thing you can do to avoid delays.
Almost Always Required
Passport valid 6+ months · recent passport-size photo (white background) · current UAE visa copy, if applicable · passport-size photo of any accompanying children · birth certificates for minors.
Sometimes Required
Guarantor or sponsor's passport & Emirates ID · attested marriage/birth certificates · salary certificate & employment contract · tenancy contract (Ejari/Tawtheeq) · proof of funds · medical fitness certificate (dependents over 18).
Exact requirements depend on your nationality, current visa status, and the specific service. Always confirm the latest checklist for your case before travel — rules are updated periodically by GDRFA and ICP.
Avoid These Pitfalls
Common Mistakes That Delay UAE Visa Applications
These are the issues our visa team sees most often. None of them guarantee rejection on their own, but each one is a common, avoidable cause of delay.
Passport Near Expiry
Any passport with under 6 months' validity from your entry date is typically rejected outright. Renew first.
Non-Compliant Photos
Wrong background colour, outdated photo, or incorrect sizing (35×45mm) is one of the most common causes of delay.
Unattested Certificates
Marriage and birth certificates issued outside the UAE must go through apostille or embassy attestation, then UAE MOFA — skipping this causes automatic rejection for family visas.
Applying Too Early
Tourist visas are valid for entry for 60 days from issue — applying months ahead of travel can mean your visa expires before you fly.
Incomplete Salary Documentation
An outdated salary certificate (older than 30 days) or a housing allowance not certified by the employer often derails family visa applications.
Expired Tenancy Contracts
An unregistered or expired Ejari/Tawtheeq contract is a frequent, easily avoidable rejection reason for family sponsorship.
This guidance reflects commonly observed rejection patterns and does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of approval. Final decisions rest solely with UAE immigration authorities.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Gulliver Travels for UAE Visa Services
We're a UAE-based travel agency with physical offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, processing tourist, family and visa-change visas for travelers and residents across all seven emirates.
One Agency, Four Routes
Whatever stage you're at — visiting, sponsoring family, or renewing a visa — we handle it under one roof instead of juggling multiple agencies.
Document Review Before Submission
Every application is checked against current requirements before it's filed, to reduce the most common causes of rejection.
Transparent, All-Inclusive Pricing
Government fee, VAT, insurance and service charge quoted as one clear number — no hidden extras added later.
All 7 Emirates Covered
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain — we process visas nationally, not just locally.
Local Offices, Real Support
Physical offices in Deira, Dubai and Al Danah, Abu Dhabi — not just a WhatsApp number.
Clear Guidance, No Guesswork
We tell you plainly which visa route fits your situation before quoting, instead of selling you the wrong package.
Visit Us
Our Offices Across the UAE
Speak to a consultant in person in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or reach either office directly by phone or WhatsApp.
Dubai
Dubai Office — Deira
Office No. 15, 4th Floor, E Block,
Al Naboodah Building, Port Saeed,
Dubai, UAE
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Office — Al Danah
Office No. 1701, 17th Floor,
Al Ghaith Tower, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street,
Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, UAE
General enquiries: info@gullivertravelsae.com
Common Questions
UAE Visa Services — Frequently Asked Questions
What types of UAE visas does Gulliver Travels handle?
We process UAE tourist and visit visas, family and dependent sponsorship visas, Airport-to-Airport (A2A) visa change, and Border-to-Border (B2B) visa change by bus via Oman — across all seven emirates.
Which UAE visa is right for me?
It depends on your goal. A short visit calls for a tourist visa. Reuniting with a spouse, child or parent already in the UAE calls for a family visa. If you're already here on a tourist visa and need more time, A2A or B2B visa change renews your status.
What is the difference between A2A and B2B visa change?
A2A involves a short flight to Muscat, Bahrain or Kuwait and back, usually completed within 4 to 24 hours. B2B is a road trip by bus to the Oman border, taking about a day for a same-day return or overnight for an evening departure. B2B is generally the lower-cost option; A2A is faster.
How long does it take to get a UAE visa?
It depends on the visa type. A tourist visa typically takes 3 to 5 working days, with 24-hour express available. A family visa takes roughly 5 to 15 working days. A2A visa change is usually same-day. B2B visa change by bus takes about a day.
Can I switch from a tourist visa to a family visa without leaving the UAE?
In many cases yes, through an in-country status change, though this depends on your nationality, current visa type and the specific route required. We review each case individually before recommending a path.
Does Gulliver Travels guarantee visa approval?
No agency can guarantee approval — the final decision rests with UAE immigration authorities (GDRFA or ICP). We reduce the risk of rejection by reviewing documents before submission and confirming eligibility upfront, but approval is always subject to government assessment.
Do I need a visa to visit Dubai at all?
Not always. Around 90 nationalities receive visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to the UAE, and GCC citizens enter freely. Everyone else needs a pre-arranged tourist visa. Send us your nationality and we'll confirm which category applies to you.
What happens if my visa expires while I'm still in the UAE?
A short grace period may apply, after which daily overstay fines accrue (around AED 50 per day). To avoid fines, extend or change your visa status before it expires — our A2A and B2B services exist specifically for this situation.
Why do visa prices differ between agencies for the "same" visa?
Every UAE visa fee is built from a government fee, 5% VAT, insurance, and the agency's own service charge. The government fee, VAT and insurance portions are fixed and identical everywhere — the service charge is the only component that varies, which is why quoted totals can differ between providers for what looks like the same visa.
Can I apply for a UAE visa myself without an agency?
Yes, most UAE visas can be applied for directly through the GDRFA app (Dubai) or ICP's Tas-heel/TAMM channels (other emirates). Many travelers use an agency like Gulliver Travels for the document review, eligibility guidance and time saved, particularly for family visas where documentation requirements are more involved.
Is a visit visa the same as a tourist visa in the UAE?
Yes. "Tourist visa" and "visit visa" are used interchangeably in the UAE to describe the same short-term, non-employment entry permit. The costs, documents and application process are identical regardless of which term is used.
What's the difference between GDRFA and ICP?
GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) processes visas for Dubai specifically. ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) processes visas for Abu Dhabi and the remaining five emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. The visa itself is a national permit valid across all emirates regardless of which authority issued it.
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Not Sure Which UAE Visa You Need?
Tell us your nationality, current visa status and what you're trying to do — visit, sponsor family, or renew. Our Dubai and Abu Dhabi team will confirm the right route and a transparent quote the same day.