There is no single UAE visa. What you need depends on why you are going. For South African passport holders, the one entry route the UAE has officially announced is a visa on arrival, introduced in June 2026, and it only applies if you hold a valid residence permit from a listed country. Requirements are set federally, so they are the same for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and every other emirate.
If you are looking for the UAE visa requirements for South Africa in general, note one gap: check with the UAE authorities or your airline whether a South African without a qualifying residence permit needs a visa before travel, and how a standard visit visa is applied for, before you book.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
In June 2026 the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a visa on arrival for nationals of six countries who live outside their home countries. South Africa is among them. Holders of ordinary passports, and accompanying family members, can get a 14-day or 60-day visa on arrival, but only if they hold a valid residence permit from one of these:
- the United States
- a member state of the European Union
- the United Kingdom
- Singapore
- Japan
- South Korea
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Canada
A South African living in South Africa, without one of those residence permits, is not covered by this scheme.
Residence in the UAE is a separate matter. It is arranged through a sponsor, most commonly an employer or a family member who already holds UAE residence.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
You need an ordinary passport valid for at least six months. Emirates states this for its pre-approved entry permits, and the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) lists the same six-month validity for its residence services.
Emirates also lists South Africa among the nationalities eligible for pre-approved single-entry visit permits, again subject to holding a residence permit or visa from the listed countries that is valid for at least six months. It notes that a student visa is not accepted for Singapore. See the Emirates UAE visa information page for the conditions that apply to your booking.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
The fees for the visa on arrival are fixed in the announcement:
- 14-day visa: AED 100 in total
- 60-day visa: AED 250 in total
Emirates lists its sponsored single-entry permits in US dollars: USD 63 for 14 days and USD 141.36 for 60 days. Those are the airline’s fees, not the government’s, so compare them with the official announcement before paying.
For a family residence visa, the sponsor must hold valid UAE residence and meet a minimum monthly income of AED 3,000 plus employer-provided housing, or AED 4,000 if housing is not provided. You must also prove kinship. A sponsor can bring a spouse, unmarried daughters, sons under 25 and children with special needs.
The UAE has other residence categories, including golden, blue and green residence. We have not read their criteria on an official page, so we do not state them here.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
- The 14-day visa on arrival can be extended once while you are in the UAE.
- The 60-day visa is for a single stay and cannot be extended.
- You must leave when the visa expires. An overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies after expiry or cancellation.
The documents needed for a standard visit visa, such as proof of funds, accommodation and a return ticket, are not listed here. Your airline or the issuing authority will tell you what it needs.
How to Prepare or Apply
UAE visa application depends on the route. Residence applications are submitted through the ICP Smart Services website or the ICP Smart App. Fees are paid online and the Emirates ID is delivered by courier. The visa on arrival is issued at the border, so you do not apply in advance, but you must be able to show the qualifying residence permit.
- Check that your passport is ordinary and valid for at least six months.
- Decide which route fits your purpose: visa on arrival, an airline-sponsored permit, or residence through an employer or family member.
- If you rely on the visa on arrival, confirm that your residence permit is from a listed country and is still valid.
- For a residence application, use the official ICP channel, not an agent that claims to guarantee an outcome.
- Re-check the rules shortly before you travel, because they change often.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the UAE visa requirements for South Africans?
South Africans can use the June 2026 visa on arrival (14 or 60 days) only with a valid residence permit from the US, an EU state, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, plus an ordinary passport valid for at least six months. For South Africans without such a permit, check the route with the UAE authorities or your airline.
Are the rules different for Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
No. Entry requirements are set federally, so they are the same across the emirates.
How much does the UAE visa on arrival cost?
AED 100 for the 14-day visa and AED 250 for the 60-day visa, according to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Can I extend the visa on arrival?
The 14-day visa can be extended once while you are in the UAE. The 60-day visa cannot be extended.
How do I apply for a UAE residence visa?
Residence applications go through ICP Smart Services or the ICP Smart App. The sponsor, such as an employer or a resident family member, normally starts the process.
What is the income requirement to sponsor family?
A minimum monthly income of AED 3,000 plus employer-provided housing, or AED 4,000 without housing, according to the ICP residence service. Confirm the current figure on the ICP site.
What happens if I overstay?
A fine of AED 50 is imposed for each day of overstay inside the UAE, according to ICP.
Confirm the current position with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ICP or your airline before you travel or apply. See visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.