Quick answer: it depends on who issued your visa and how long it's valid. A residence permit from the UK, the US, an EU country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore or South Korea qualifies South Africans for the UAE's 14 or 60-day visa on arrival. According to Emirates, a UK, US or EU tourist visa also counts — but only if it's valid for at least 6 months. Tourist visas from the other six countries don't count, and neither does any short-stay visa.
Since the UAE opened this route to South Africans in June 2026, the question we hear most is "Does my tourist visa count, or do I need a residence permit?" This guide answers it, using Emirates' official UAE visa information page (checked 6 November 2026) as our main reference.
Does My Visa Count? Quick Checker
| What you hold (plus a South African passport) | Does it count? |
|---|---|
| UK residence permit, or any long-term UK visa (work, study, family) valid 6+ months | Yes |
| UK visitor visa valid 6+ months (e.g. a 2, 5 or 10-year visa) | Yes, according to Emirates |
| US green card | Yes |
| US visa valid 6+ months, including a B1/B2 visitor visa | Yes, according to Emirates |
| EU residence permit or residence card | Yes |
| Schengen or other EU visa valid 6+ months (e.g. a multiple-entry visa) | Yes, according to Emirates |
| Short-stay Schengen, UK or US visa valid for less than 6 months | No |
| Residence permit from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore or South Korea (valid 6+ months) | Yes |
| Tourist visa from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore or South Korea | No |
| An expired visa or residence permit | No |
| Only a South African passport | No — you need a regular UAE tourist visa |
Your South African passport must also be valid for at least 6 months.
Why Is There So Much Confusion?
Because the two main sources describe the rule differently:
- The UAE government announced on 25 June 2026 that South Africans can get a visa on arrival if they hold a valid residence permit from one of the nine countries. It doesn't mention tourist visas. (Our UAE visa on arrival guide covers the announcement in full.)
- Emirates describes the route as a pre-approved entry permit and lists a wider set of documents: for the UK, the US and EU countries it accepts any visa valid for at least 6 months, as well as residence permits. For the other six countries it accepts residence permits only.
In practice, that means a residence permit is the safe option, while a long-validity UK, US or EU tourist visa works when you're pre-approved through Emirates. If you're relying on a tourist visa, get pre-approved before you fly rather than counting on the airport.
The 6-month rule catches people out. Emirates requires your UK, US or EU visa to be valid for at least 6 months. A standard short-stay Schengen visa issued for one trip won't qualify, even if it's still valid on the day you fly. Check the dates on your visa before you book.
What Do You Get?
| 14-day permit | 60-day permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Single entry | Single entry |
| Price through Emirates | US$63 | US$141.36 |
| Visa on arrival at the airport (residence permit holders) | AED 100 | AED 250 |
Fees depend on how you apply and can change, so check the price when you apply. Overstaying costs AED 50 per day.
How to Get Pre-Approved
- Through Emirates — if you're flying Emirates, apply through Manage your booking on emirates.com. This is the route that accepts UK, US and EU visas as well as residence permits.
- Through Dubai immigration (GDRFA) — Dubai's immigration department offers online pre-approval for visa-on-arrival travellers on its website, gdrfad.gov.ae (you'll need a UAE Pass or a GDRFA account). Approval takes up to 48 hours.
- Through a UAE-registered travel agency — an agency can apply on your behalf and will charge a service fee.
If you hold a residence permit, you can also get the visa when you land at the airport. Either way, carry the original residence permit or visa, not a photo of it — airlines check documents at check-in and can refuse boarding if they're not satisfied.
Do I Have to Fly Emirates?
No. The visa on arrival isn't tied to an airline. Emirates' pre-approval service is only for Emirates passengers, but residence-permit holders flying another airline can get the visa on arrival or apply through Dubai immigration or a travel agency.
Emirates also sells regular UAE tourist visas to its passengers — from US$90 for 30 days plus VFS processing fees — but only if you fly Emirates into and out of Dubai on one booking, and at least 4 working days before you arrive.
Don't Qualify? Your Options
If you live in South Africa, or your visa doesn't meet the rules above, you need a regular UAE tourist visa before you fly. Through Dubai Visa South Africa:
- Any airline, and you don't need to have booked flights
- 30-day visa from R1,800, paid in rand — see the UAE visa cost page
- Processed in 5 working days, or 2 with express
- We check your documents and photo before submitting
Apply for your UAE visa online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can South Africans get a Dubai visa on arrival with a UK visa?
Yes, if you hold a UK residence permit, or — according to Emirates — any UK visa (including a visitor visa or e-visa) valid for at least 6 months. A UK visa valid for less than 6 months doesn't count.
Can I get a Dubai visa on arrival with a US visa?
Yes, with a US green card, or — according to Emirates — a US visa valid for at least 6 months, such as a B1/B2 visitor visa.
Does a Schengen visa count for a UAE visa on arrival?
According to Emirates, a Schengen or other EU visa counts if it's valid for at least 6 months, such as a multiple-entry visa. A short-stay Schengen visa issued for a single trip doesn't qualify. An EU residence permit always counts.
Does a tourist visa count, or only a residence permit?
It depends who issued it. A residence permit from any of the nine countries counts. According to Emirates, a tourist or visitor visa from the UK, the US or an EU country also counts if it's valid for at least 6 months. Tourist visas from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore or South Korea don't count. The UAE government announcement mentions residence permits only, so if you're relying on a tourist visa, get pre-approved before you fly.
Does my Canadian or Australian tourist visa count?
No. For Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, only a residence permit valid for at least 6 months qualifies — not a tourist or visitor visa.
How much is the UAE entry permit for South Africans?
Through Emirates, US$63 for 14 days or US$141.36 for 60 days. The visa on arrival at the airport is AED 100 for 14 days or AED 250 for 60 days. Fees depend on how you apply and can change.
Do I need to fly Emirates to get it?
No. Emirates' pre-approval service is only for its own passengers, but the visa on arrival itself isn't tied to an airline. You can also apply through Dubai immigration's website or a UAE-registered travel agency.
I live in South Africa and don't have a foreign visa. What do I need?
A regular UAE tourist visa, approved before you fly. Dubai Visa South Africa can arrange one for any airline, from R1,800, in 5 working days (or 2 with express).
Sources
- Emirates — UAE visa information (checked 6 November 2026)
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — UAE Grants Visa on Arrival to Nationals of Six Countries Residing Outside Their Home Countries (25 June 2026)
- Gulf News — How to apply for pre-approval for a visa on arrival
Entry rules can change, so always check with your airline before you travel.
No qualifying visa? Apply for your UAE visa online — any airline, priced in rand.