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Dubai Visa for South Africans

South African nationals wishing to travel to Dubai can apply online for a Dubai visa from South Africa prior to their trip to Dubai. The Dubai visa for South Africans allows South African nationals a single or multiple entry into Dubai for either 30 or 60 days within the 60-day visa validity period.

South African nationals traveling to Dubai for tourism have the option to apply online for the long-term 5-year Dubai tourist visa, which is a self-sponsored visa that is valid for 5 years and allows for multiple 90-day stays in Dubai, each visit extendable for an additional 90 days.

South African citizens wishing to work in Dubai can do so only under a valid Dubai work visa, which must be applied for and sponsored by an MoHRE registered company. The Dubai business visa grants South African UAE residents a 1-month temporary visa, or grants South African nationals who live outside the UAE with a 6-month temporary visa, which the South African applicant should then convert into a Dubai residence visa during the temporary visa’s validity period. To apply for the Dubai business visa, the South African applicant must demonstrate exceptional talent, skills or a proven business track record, or the South African national should be looking to start-up a business, invest, or work remotely in Dubai. Both the Dubai work visa and the Dubai business visa afford South African visitors with the many living and working advantages the UAE has to offer.

Table of contents

Dubai visa types for South Africans

South African nationals can apply for one of the following Dubai visa types, depending on the purpose of their trip to Dubai:

Visit visa

A Dubai visit visa is an entry permit for South African travelers visiting Dubai for a specific purpose. The various types of Dubai visit visas available to South African applicants are:

  • TOURIST VISA: For South African travelers to Dubai for tourism activities.
  • PATIENT & COMPANION VISA: For South African nationals traveling to Dubai for hospitalization or to accompany a medical patient.
  • E-VISA FOR GCC RESIDENTS: For South African nationals who are GCC residents.
  • JOBSEEKER VISA: For South African citizens exploring job opportunities in Dubai.
  • INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY VISA: For South African nationals exploring investment opportunities in Dubai.
  • TRANSIT VISA: For South African nationals on a layover in Dubai.

Student visa

For South African nationals studying at an educational institution in Dubai.

Work visa

A Dubai work visa is sponsored by an MoHRE registered company that wishes to recruit, hire, and sponsor a South African worker in Dubai.

Business visa

A long-term self-sponsored business visa for South African nationals who have exceptional talent, skill or a positive track record, or who are looking to invest, start-up a business, or work remotely in Dubai.

Retirement visa for UAE residents

A self-sponsored Dubai retirement visa for South African nationals, who are UAE residents, and: (1) are 55 years or older, or have worked for at least 15 years within or outside the UAE, and (2) own a minimum of AED 1 million value in property, have at least AED 1 million in savings, or can provide last 6 months in bank statements proving a minimum AED 20,000 monthly income.

Requirements

South African nationals need to meet the below requirements when applying for Dubai visas.

Dubai Tourist visa for South Africans

South African nationals applying for the sponsored Dubai e-Visa or the self-sponsored 5-year Dubai tourist visa need to provide the following:

Personal photo

The South African applicant should have one recent color photograph that is taken with natural facial expressions and a frontal angle, against a white background, and is normal passport size, with high-quality imaging.

Passport + copy

Hold a machine-readable passport that is valid for 6 months from the date of the Dubai visa application and have 1 color copy of their passport biometric page.

Application

Fill out an online Dubai visa application form at DubaiVisas.com.

Ticket

The South African applicant must have an onward airline ticket from Dubai.

Credit/debit card

The South African applicant must have a valid credit or debit card for online payment.

Email address

The South African applicant must have a valid email address to receive the Dubai visa upon approval.

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Dubai 5-year tourist visa for South Africans

South African citizens applying for the self-sponsored 5-year Dubai tourist visa should meet the following requirements, in addition to the Dubai tourist visa requirements detailed above:

Medical insurance

A valid medical insurance that covers the South African applicant in the UAE.

Financial means

A 6-month bank balance of at least USD 4,000 or the foreign equivalent

Accommodation

Please note that hand written South African passports are not accepted at any UAE ports of entry.

Dubai visa-on-arrival for South Africans

South African travelers are not eligible to obtain a visa-on-arrival at Dubai ports of entry and should apply for the appropriate Dubai visa before their intended trip to Dubai.

Dubai Work visa for South Africans

South African nationals applying to work in Dubai should be at least 18 years old and meet the following requirements, in addition to the basic Dubai visa requirements listed above:

Dubai visa

South African citizens should hold a valid Dubai work permit or Dubai residency visa, in order to legally live and work in Dubai.

Health evaluation

South African nationals applying to work in Dubai will have to pass medical screening at an approved Dubai health facility. Failure to pass the medical exam may lead to immediate deportation from Dubai.

Depending on the type of work, the South African applicant may be asked to provide additional information, in the form of documents, tests, screenings, professional certifications or exams.

It is important to note that South African visitors in the UAE on a Dubai tourist visa are not permitted to work without a valid Dubai work or business visa.

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How to Apply for a Dubai visa for South Africans

For travelers originating from South Africa, obtaining a Dubai visa South Africa citizens need is a crucial step to ensure a seamless journey to Dubai. They can apply for the various Dubai visa types as detailed below.

Dubai Tourist visa for South Africans

South African nationals should apply for a sponsored Dubai e-visa or a self-sponsored 5-year Dubai visa in the following manner:

Submit Dubai visa application form online

Fill out the online application form for a Dubai visa from South Africa or anywhere worldwide with DubaiVisas.com, complete with your personal data, as well as the particular Dubai visa type being applied for and other requested information. Upload the required documents and submit along with the completed Dubai visa application form.

Pay Dubai visa fees online

Pay the cost of Dubai visa from South Africa online, using a valid credit or debit card.

Receive approved Dubai visa

Receive the approved Dubai visa to the email provided. Check that all visa information is correct and matches the information on your passport.

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Dubai Work visa for South Africans

South African nationals should apply for a Dubai work visa in the following manner:

Initiate application​

Depending on the type of work, The MoHRE registered company should apply for the foreign employee’s work permit

Pass tests​

Foreign worker should pass medical screening and security and background checks of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship & Ports Authority

Apply for ID​

The foreign worker should apply for an Emirates ID card from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship

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Dubai Business visa for South Africans

South African nationals should apply for Dubai business visa in the following manner:

Get nominated

Get nominated by a UAE government incubator. If nomination approved, you will be sent a link to the Dubai golden visa platform.

Apply online

Apply online Fill out and submit Dubai visa online application form and upload the required documents on the Dubai golden visa platform, via the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship & Ports Authority portal.

Await the decision

Receive an email detailing on how you should proceed to retrieve your Dubai business visa.

If approved, the Dubai business visa will be issued as a temporary visit visa – 6 months temporary visa for South Africans living outside of Dubai, or a 1-month temporary Dubai visa for South Africans already living in Dubai. The temporary Dubai visa for South Africans should then be converted into a Dubai residency permit before the South African national’s temporary visa expires.
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Processing Time

Dubai visas for South Africans take no more than 5 business days to be fully processed and issued. It is always advisable to apply early in case unexpected delays should arise.

Dubai visa fees

The fees for a visa for Dubai from South Africa vary based on the type of Dubai visa the South African citizen is applying for.

Visa extension

Dubai tourist visas for South Africans

Dubai tourist visas can be extended twice, each renewal for an extra 30 days. The 5-year Dubai visa can be extended for an additional 90 days.

Dubai work and business visas for South Africans

Dubai work and business visas can be renewed based on the type of Dubai visa being applied for.

South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi

Address: Villa No 1 – 151, Cnr Jabal A Marfa & Al Niwayi Streets, Al Mushrif Area, Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.

Telephone:
+ 971 2 447 34 46

UAE Embassy in South Africa

Address: 992 Arcadia, Arcidia Street, Pretoria, South Africa – PO Box 12612

Telephone: 0027123427736

Dubai visa for South Africans FAQ

Yes, all South African citizens are required to apply for the appropriate Dubai visa from South Africa before traveling to Dubai, read this.

South African nationals can apply online for a Dubai visa from South Africa at DubaiVisas.com.

No, South African nationals are not eligible to obtain a Dubai visa-on-arrival at any UAE ports of entry. Instead, all South African citizens must apply for the appropriate Emirates Dubai visa from South Africa before their intended travel to Dubai.

Yes, South African citizens on a layover in Dubai are required to apply for a transit visa for Dubai prior to their trip. Dubai transit visas for 48-hour or 96-hours are available to South African travelers, who meet certain requirements, including a passport valid for 3 months, a passport photo against a white background, and an onward airline ticket. Here you can find out more about which other Dubai visa types.

Here you can Find out more about the Dubai visa for Taiwanese.