Dubai and the UAE are among the most popular international destinations for South Africans — an easy, mostly online visa process costing ~ZAR 2,515 all-in for 30 days. South Africa is a significant source market for UAE tourism. Approval rates for South Africans are high.
Key Warnings
Insider Tips
Visit icp.gov.ae (UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship) or visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/are. Create an account and select the tourist visa category.
Enter your personal details as they appear on your South African passport. Enter your travel dates and accommodation details.
Upload your passport scan and passport photo. A return ticket and hotel booking are recommended. Ensure all uploads are clear JPEG or PDF files.
Pay the 30-day single entry tourist visa fee (~$139 USD / ZAR 2,270) by credit card. Express processing (24–48 hours) is available at additional cost.
Standard processing takes 3–7 working days. You will receive your approved e-visa by email. Apply at least 10 days before travel.
Download your UAE e-visa PDF and present it at check-in (airlines check UAE visas before boarding) and to UAE immigration on arrival.
No published rejection rate. The UAE publishes no visa refusal statistics by applicant nationality. Checked August 2026.
UAE entry visa opened to South Africans with a qualifying foreign residence permit
From 25 June 2026 ICP added South Africa to the nationalities eligible for its entry visa for nationals of certain countries. It covers South African ordinary passport holders who also hold a valid visa or residence permit (or US Green Card) issued by the United States, an EU state or the United Kingdom, or a valid residence permit issued by Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand: 14 days, or 60 days for AED 250 plus AED 100, non-extendable. Everyone else still needs a tourist visa approved before travel. This page recorded the change for Kenya only until October 2026.
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