Embassy
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Pretoria
Pretoria
992 Arcadia St, Arcadia 0083 Pretoria RSA
United Arab Emirates visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need a visa for the United Arab Emirates, from its embassy or consulate.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
ARE
United Arab Emirates
Visa needed
Apply at the embassy or consulate.
- Visa
- Required
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for South African citizens in United Arab Emirates
- May apply using 'Smart service'.
What to do
Find the United Arab Emirates's embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
Book an appointment early; processing can take several weeks.
Get your United Arab Emirates visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into United Arab Emirates
Visit for a holiday, with different routes for different passports.
eVisa For your passport14-day online entry visaSelected passports qualify with certain foreign visas or residence permits.
- Stay
- 14–28 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- AED 200
- Processing
- 2 days
How to apply
- Check your passport and foreign visa or residence.
- Sign in to federal immigration services with UAE Pass.
- Fill in the form and attach documents.
- Pay and get your visa before travel.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days
- Personal photo
- Qualifying visa or residence copy
- Passports: India, Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and South Africa.
- You can extend once for 14 days; enter within 30 days of issue.
eVisa For your passport60-day online entry visaSelected passports qualify with certain foreign visas or residence permits.
- Stay
- 60 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Fee
- AED 350
- Processing
- 2 days
How to apply
- Check your passport and foreign visa or residence.
- Sign in to federal immigration services with UAE Pass.
- Fill in the form and attach documents.
- Pay and get your visa before travel.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days
- Personal photo
- Qualifying visa or residence copy
- Passports: India, Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and South Africa.
- Enter within 30 days of issue; you cannot extend this visa.
eVisaGulf resident entry visaPeople living in Gulf countries can apply online if they meet the rules.
- Stay
- 30–60 days
- Valid for
- 30 days
- Processing
- 2 days
How to apply
- Register with the online visa service.
- Choose the Gulf resident service.
- Fill in the form and upload documents.
- Pay and get approval by email before travel.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days
- Officially checked passport copy including cover
- Colour photo with white background
- Residence proof showing job and expiry
- Your Gulf residence must have at least 365 days left when you arrive.
- Your job must be approved; you must have no UAE entry ban.
eVisaSingle-entry tourist visaA tourism agency arranges a visa for 1 holiday visit.
- Stay
- 30–60 days
- Processing
- 2 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Choose an approved tourism agency.
- Send the documents for your visa.
- Ask the agency to apply.
- Pay the fees.
- Get approval before you travel.
Official pageDocuments required
- Passport valid 180 days
- Passport copy
- Personal photo
- Onward or return ticket
- UAE health insurance
- National identity card, if required
- Travel insurance
eVisaMultiple-entry tourist visaA tourism agency arranges a visa that allows more than 1 entry.
- Stay
- 30–60 days
- Processing
- 2 days
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Give your documents to the tourism agency.
- Ask the agency to apply online.
- Pay the fees.
- Get approval before travel.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days
- Passport copy
- Personal photo
- Onward or return ticket
- UAE health insurance
- National identity card, if required
- Travel insurance
- Do not assume each new entry starts a fresh stay.
eVisaLong-term tourist visaThis tourist visa allows repeat visits without a local sponsor.
- Stay
- 90–180 days
- Valid for
- 1825 days
- Fee
- AED 3,720
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Open the federal immigration online service.
- Fill in the form and attach documents.
- Pay the fees and deposit.
- Get your visa.
- Enter within 60 days of issue.
Documents required
- Passport valid 180 days
- Personal photo
- Bank statements covering 180 days
- Return ticket
- Proof of a place to stay
- UAE-issued health insurance covering 180 days
- National identity document, if required
- Hotel booking
- Travel insurance
- Stay 90 days each year from first entry; approval can increase this to 180.
- Keep 4000 USD or equivalent in your account during the previous 180 days.
Sources (30)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Visa exemptions for inbound foreign travellers
- Federal immigration: Five-year multiple-entry tourist visa
- Federal immigration: Conditional 14-day entry visa
- Federal immigration: Conditional 60-day entry visa
- ICP Smart Services: Official federal application portal
- Dubai immigration: Official smart application portal
- Dubai immigration: Single-entry tourist visa
- Dubai immigration: Multiple-entry tourist visa
- Dubai immigration: 48/96-hour transit visa
- Dubai immigration: Business exploration visa
- Dubai immigration: Study, training or rehabilitation visit
- Dubai immigration: Relative or friend single-entry visit
- Dubai immigration: Family sponsorship entry visa
- Dubai immigration: Medical visa
- Dubai immigration: Gulf-resident entry visa
- Dubai immigration: Job exploration visit
- Dubai immigration: Cruise tourist permit
- Federal immigration: Green Residence Guide
- Federal immigration: Golden Residency Guide
- UAE Embassy in Washington: Visas for non-US citizens
- UAE Embassy in Washington: Visas for US citizens
- UAE Embassy in London: Visa information; directs travellers to the UAE Government portal
- UAE Embassy in New Delhi: Expanded Indian visa-on-arrival eligibility
- Dubai Government: Entry and arrival visa guidance
- Dubai Government: Standard work residence process
- UAE Government: Transit visa
- UAE Government: Online visa for Gulf residents
- UAE Government: Student residence
- UAE Government: Jobseeker eligibility
- General Civil Aviation Authority: Same-airport transit provisions
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Trips to United Arab Emirates
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs GAdapter needed
- MoneyAED د.إ
- Time+2h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageArabic
- Emergency999 police998 ambulance
Planning your United Arab Emirates trip
Best time to go: Late October to mid-March has pleasant weather, with temperatures around 15–27°C. Bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings, especially in the desert.
- Burj Khalifa, DubaiThe world's tallest building has a viewing area near the top with views across the city.
- Liwa Oasis and the Empty QuarterSee vast desert scenery and some of the world's largest sand dunes.
- Hajar MountainsThe northeastern mountains offer rugged scenery and archaeological sites.
- Historic districtsThe emirate capitals have old districts with forts and traditional buildings, including windcatchers.
Scams to watch for in United Arab Emirates
- Pressure to buy in shopsStaff may follow you around or keep showing you goods. Carpet sellers may unroll many rugs and spend a long time with you. This can make you feel that you owe them a purchase, but you do not.
- High opening prices in souksA seller may ask more for a souvenir than other shops charge. Bargaining is expected in souks, so accepting the first price can mean paying more than necessary. A high opening price alone does not prove fraud.
- Off-meter taxi overchargingWhen taxis are scarce, a driver may demand a very high fixed fare instead of using the meter. Some also refuse short journeys through congested areas.
About United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Oman.
- Capital
- Abu Dhabi
- Money
- United Arab Emirates dirham (د.إ)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Time zone
- UTC+04:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +971
Other Africa passports
Going to United Arab Emirates
Easier trips nearby
Places close to United Arab Emirates with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for South African citizens visiting United Arab Emirates?
Do south african citizens need a visa for the United Arab Emirates?
South African citizens need a visa for the United Arab Emirates, from its embassy or consulate.
Where do I apply for a United Arab Emirates visa?
At the United Arab Emirates's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Book an appointment early, as it can take several weeks.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter the United Arab Emirates?
We have no record of the United Arab Emirates relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do emirati citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Emirati citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to the United Arab Emirates?
Mauritius and Seychelles can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near United Arab Emirates are easier for south african citizens?
Georgia, Oman, Palestine, Qatar Armenia, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to the United Arab Emirates?
Find the United Arab Emirates's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
What money is used in the United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates dirham (د.إ). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in the United Arab Emirates?
Arabic.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck