Ali got a call from his cousin in Dubai asking him to come for a family dinner. He said yes on the phone. Then he put the phone down and realised he had no idea how to get a Dubai visa from Pakistan. He is not alone. This guide shows the real steps, what it costs, and how long it takes.
Start with the short answer. You cannot walk up to the immigration counter at Dubai airport and buy a visa as a Pakistani. You need a visa that is approved before you board your flight.
Dubai is not on the list of places where Pakistani passport holders get visa on arrival. Some nearby countries do let Pakistani travellers in without much paperwork. The list of visa free countries for Pakistani passport holders keeps changing, so it is worth checking before you book anything.
Which Dubai visa do you need?
There are a few common visas, and each works differently for a Pakistani applicant.
Single entry tourist visa
This is the one most visitors use. It lets you enter once and stay for 30 or 60 days. You get it through a licensed tourism office or a UAE airline. The fee from the Dubai residency authority (GDRFA) is AED 200 for 30 days and AED 300 for 60 days, plus 5% VAT. You do not need a security deposit for this kind of visa.
Five year multi entry tourist visa
If you travel often, this one is built for you. It allows several trips for five years and you do not need a sponsor inside the UAE. The total cost works out close to AED 3,713, which includes an application fee, the issuance fee, and a refundable guarantee. You must show a bank statement with a balance of about USD 4,000 over the six months before you apply. You can stay up to 90 days in any year, extendable to 180.
Friend or relative visit visa
If someone you know lives in Dubai and holds a UAE residence permit, they can sponsor you. The sponsor must earn a minimum monthly salary. It is AED 4,000 for first degree relatives like a parent, spouse, son or daughter. It goes up to AED 8,000 for second and third degree relatives and AED 15,000 for friends. The sponsor files the application through the federal authority (ICP), and you can stay 30, 60, or 90 days.
The three ways to apply from Pakistan
You cannot apply as a private person directly on the government site for a tourist visa. The application goes through one of three routes.
1. Through a UAE airline
Emirates and Etihad both run a visa service for people flying on their flights. For a Dubai trip, Emirates is the common choice. You book the flight first, then apply for the visa through the airline's online portal. This is the cleanest route for most Pakistanis because the airline checks the documents and sends you the approved visa by email.
2. Through a UAE based sponsor
If you have a relative or friend with a residence permit in Dubai, they can apply for you. They use the GDRFA smart services or the ICP portal depending on the visa type. You send them the required documents and they file everything on your behalf.
3. Through a licensed travel agent
Travel agencies in Pakistan can apply for your tourist visa through authorised channels. This is how many people do it. The important rule is to use an agent that is accredited, not a random WhatsApp number. The UAE embassy in Islamabad says a tourist visa is obtained from a certified travel agent or from an airline, and that the embassy itself does not issue ordinary tourist visas. Keep your agent to that standard.
Documents you need
Keep these ready before you apply. The list is short.
- A passport valid for at least six months.
- A copy of your CNIC. The GDRFA lists Pakistan among the nationalities asked for the country of origin identity card.
- One personal photograph.
- A confirmed return ticket.
- Travel insurance that is valid in the UAE. Airlines and agents usually bundle this in.
For the friend or relative visa, add proof of your relationship to the sponsor. For the five year visa, add the six month bank statement.
How much does a Dubai visa cost?
The government fees are set, but the total you pay in Pakistan also includes agent charges. Here are the official figures.
- 30 day single entry tourist visa: AED 200 plus 5% VAT.
- 60 day single entry tourist visa: AED 300 plus 5% VAT.
- Five year multi entry tourist visa: around AED 3,713 in total.
- Friend or relative visit visa: an application fee of AED 100, an issuance fee of AED 100 for a single entry, a smart service fee of AED 100, and a refundable financial guarantee.
The agent adds its own fee on top. Always ask what the total includes so you are not surprised later. The embassy warns that visa costs change without notice, so treat any old pricing you see online with caution.
How long does it take?
GDRFA lists 48 hours for the single entry tourist visa. The federal authority completes its service in about two days too. In practice, count on a few working days once the agent or airline gathers everything and pays the fee. Apply well before your flight, and the embassy suggests at least 14 days ahead for anything you route through consular channels.
What happens if you overstay?
Do not stay a single day past your visa. The federal authority (ICP) sets a fine of AED 50 per day for an overstay that is not cleared. People who stay too long have been banned from re-entering the UAE, which then blocks job and visit plans for years. If you need more time, apply to extend the visa before it expires rather than after.
How to avoid visa scams
Too many Pakistanis lose money to fake agents. The rule is simple. Pay a licensed agent or use the airline. If an agent promises to guarantee approval or asks for money on a private account with no receipt, walk away. No one can guarantee a Dubai visa, because the UAE authority makes the final call. A genuine agent tells you this up front.
For the Qatar route, the rules are different and often cheaper, so many Pakistanis compare the Qatar visa for Pakistanis before choosing. The important thing is to match the visa to the country you actually plan to visit.
Planning an exit from Pakistan is a legal matter too. The same documents and clean history that help a visa get approved also matter if you later need to verify your status, like checking your Saudi visa status online for other Gulf travel.
Fees and rules change without warning, so always confirm on an official source before you pay. The plain-English guides above all live on the Lexiber blog, and you can start from the Lexiber home page.
For a country with a longer process, the UK visit visa from Pakistan guide explains the Standard Visitor visa, the biometrics and the 3 week wait.
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