A 30-day UAE visa for GCC residents costs $200 in total a $150 application fee plus a $50 service fee and is approved in 1 to 2 working days. It permits a single entry with a 30-day stay from your date of arrival, and it can be extended. You qualify if you hold a residence permit from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain with at least 3 months’ validity remaining.
Compliance notice: VisaGCC.ae is a licensed private visa facilitation platform. It is not a government portal. All applications are submitted through official UAE immigration channels and remain subject to approval by the GDRFA and the ICP.
How much does a 30-day UAE visa cost for GCC residents?
There are no separate charges by nationality. The fee is the same whether you hold a Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, Omani or Bahraini residence permit, and it covers the full process from document review through to your e-visa arriving by email.
If you only need a shorter trip, the 14-day UAE visa costs $175 in total.
Who qualifies for the GCC resident visa?
This visa is for expatriates living in a GCC country not for GCC citizens, who don’t need a visa at all. If you hold a Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, Omani or Bahraini passport, you can enter the UAE with your national ID and stop reading here.
To apply you need:
- A residence permit from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain, with 3 months or more remaining before it expires
- A passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival
- A recent passport-size photograph
Your nationality doesn’t determine eligibility here your residency does. That’s the single most misunderstood part of this visa. An Indian, Pakistani, Filipino or Egyptian passport holder living in Riyadh or Doha qualifies on the strength of that residence permit, regardless of what their passport would normally require.
What documents do you need?
- Passport photo page — a clear, flat scan with all four corners visible. Blurry or cropped scans are the most common cause of delay
- GCC residence permit — both sides if it’s a card
- Passport-size photograph — recent, plain light background, no smiling
That’s the standard set. Depending on your nationality, immigration may request an additional document if so, you’ll be contacted directly rather than left waiting.
How long does it take?
Approval takes 1 to 2 working days once your documents are complete. That’s faster than a standard UAE visit visa, because your GCC residence permit has already been verified by the country that issued it there’s less for immigration to establish from scratch.
Two words matter there: working days. UAE government offices operate Monday to Thursday with a half day on Friday, so an application submitted on Thursday afternoon is realistically a Monday decision. Count backwards from your flight in working days, not calendar days.
How to apply
- Start your application and select the 30-day single entry visa.
- Enter your details exactly as they appear on your passport photo page character for character. Mismatched details are the leading cause of refusal.
- Upload your documents passport page, residence permit, photograph.
- Pay the $200 total securely online.
- Track your application using your reference number on the application tracker.
Your approved e-visa arrives by email. Nothing needs collecting in person, and no stamp is required before you fly.
Can the 30-day visa be extended?
Yes. The 30-day GCC resident visa is extendable, which makes it the more flexible choice if your plans might change. Since December 2025 most UAE visit visa extensions can be completed from inside the country through the ICP portal, without needing to exit and re-enter.
Practical advice: decide before you travel. An extension applied for before expiry is routine. Once a visa expires the UAE charges AED 50 per day with no grace period, from the first day.
30-day or 14-day — which should you choose?
| 14-Day | 30-Day | |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | $175 | $200 |
| Stay | 14 days | 30 days |
| Entries | Single | Single |
| Processing | 1–2 working days | 1–2 working days |
| Extendable | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Short breaks, business trips | Family visits, longer stays, flexible plans |
The gap is $25. If there’s any chance your trip runs past two weeks, take the 30-day extending later costs more than the difference, and running over costs considerably more than that.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 30-day UAE visa cost for GCC residents?
$200 in total a $150 application fee plus a $50 service fee. The price is the same for all nationalities and covers document review, submission and delivery of your e-visa by email.
Do GCC citizens need this visa?
No. Citizens of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain enter the UAE without a visa using their national ID or passport. This visa is for expatriate residents of those countries, who qualify through their residence permit rather than their nationality.
Can I enter the UAE more than once on this visa?
No. This is a single entry visa once you leave the UAE it’s used, even if days remain. If you plan to leave and return during your trip, you need a multiple entry visa instead.
How long does approval take?
1 to 2 working days once your documents are complete. Applications submitted late in the week are effectively decided the following week, since UAE government offices work Monday to Thursday with a half day Friday.
What happens if my visa is refused?
Refusals usually come from fixable problems details that don’t match the passport, an unclear scan, or a residence permit too close to expiry. Government fees on a refused application are not normally refundable, which is why documents are reviewed before submission rather than after.
Disclaimer: all visa applications are subject to approval by UAE immigration authorities. Processing times are estimates and may vary by individual case, nationality and government regulations.