Dec 06 2025

Guide to UAE Visas from Saudi Arabia

Guide to UAE Visas from Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates is a treasure trove of adventure, discovery, and family fun. But, before you hop on your flynas flight, you must sort out your UAE visa from Saudi Arabia. This guide takes you through all the necessary entry-permit requirements so your business trip, vacation or quick UAE getaway is glitch-free. Check out our cheap flights to the UAE and start your stay off with a smile.

UAE Visa

Saudi Arabia is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council — or GCC for short. This means that, as a Saudi Arabian citizen, you can travel to the UAE without applying for a visa in advance – you just need to show your passport or ID card at customs. Make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your visit, contains your photo, and has your date of birth in the day/month/year format.

GCC residents who are not citizens but who work as high-level officials (e.g. doctors, managers, engineers or public sector employees) can get a 30-day non-renewable visa for themselves and their families at all UAE airports upon arrival. If you’re not a national, you must apply for a UAE visa for Saudi residents.

Dubai Visa

As a global hub for tourists, business travelers, and flight layovers, Dubai has extra visa requirements. If you’re a Saudi national, you qualify for visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry to Dubai as described. However, Saudi residents and their companions need a visit visa from Saudi to Dubai before they travel.

You can apply for this visa for Dubai from Saudi Arabia online, which makes the process quick and easy. While handling your Dubai tourist visa from Saudi Arabia, be sure to check out flynas’s affordable flights to Dubai and our comprehensive e-visa services for international destinations.

UAE Multiple Entry Visa

If you regularly hop between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, consider the multiple-entry 5-year tourist visa. It does not require sponsorship and lets you enter and leave the UAE without hassle. This visa is valid for up to 90 days at a time and you can also extend it for a further 90 days if needed.

Golden Visa UAE

This is a 5- to 10-year renewable UAE residence permit that allows ‘foreign talent’ to live, work, and study in the UAE without sponsorship. Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, exceptional scholars, and other frontline individuals who comply with the UAE golden visa requirements can apply for this special visa. Holders of this visa have access to exclusive benefits such as the Esaad privilege card and the inclusion of their family members.

Freelance Visa UAE

This special visa permits freelancers to work in Dubai and other UAE regions. You’ll have to meet certain UAE government conditions and those required by the relevant free-zone authorities.

UAE Residence Visa

Apart from the golden and freelance visas, those wanting to live, work, or study in the UAE can apply for residence or a UAE business visa. The 5-year UAE green visa is for self-sponsored, self-employed, or freelance workers. It also applies to entrepreneurs and investors who meet the UAE residence visa requirements.

There’s a 1-year visa for foreigners living in but working outside the UAE. Those who made a remarkable environmental contribution qualify for a 10-year blue residence visa. Retired people may apply for a 5-year UAE residence visa. Students sponsored by their parents resident in the UAE, the government, or the accredited university can also apply for a residence permit.

FAQs

You can apply online or visit our flynas visa guide for more information.

No, Saudi residents must apply for a UAE e-visa before traveling.

No, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are different countries and, if you’re not a Saudi citizen, you’ll need a UAE visa.

The e-visa fee is approximately AED 250 through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai (GDRFA) or about AED 350 through the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).