The UAE is one of the most popular short trips for Sri Lankan travellers, for holidays, family visits and stopovers. Most visitors need a visit visa arranged in advance, since it is not available on arrival for Sri Lankan passport holders. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two most common entry points, and the same visa covers travel anywhere in the country, including Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and the other emirates.
Visa types
- 30-day single entry visit visa
- 60-day single entry visit visa
- 90-day multiple entry visit visa, for frequent visitors
- Transit visa, for a stopover of more than a few hours
A 30-day visa suits most holidays and family visits. Longer visas cost more but give you room if your plans change, and the multiple entry option is worth considering if you expect to visit more than once within the year, since applying separately for each trip usually costs more overall.
Documents you need
- Passport valid for at least six months
- A recent passport-sized photo on a white background
- Confirmed return flight booking
- Hotel booking, or an invitation letter from a UAE resident sponsoring your visit
If a UAE resident is sponsoring your trip, they will also need to provide a copy of their Emirates ID and visa page, which we can talk you through if this is your first time applying this way. Sponsoring a visa is a common arrangement for family visits, and most sponsors find the paperwork straightforward once they know what is needed.
How long it takes
Processing usually takes three to five working days once we submit a complete application. Apply at least two weeks before you travel, and earlier around Eid and other peak holiday periods when processing can slow down. Leaving extra time also gives you room to fix a document issue without missing your flight.
Extending or changing your visa
A visit visa can usually be extended once you are in the UAE, for a fee, before it expires. Rules on extensions and overstay fines change from time to time, so always check the current position with us rather than assume last year’s rules still apply.
What happens if the visa is refused
Approval is decided by UAE immigration, not by us, and a reason is rarely given. We double-check your documents before we submit, to give your application the best chance, but we cannot promise approval. If a visa is refused, tell us and we will look at what, if anything, can be corrected before trying again, rather than resubmitting the same application unchanged.
