United Arab Emirates e-Visa for citizens of Afghanistan: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of Afghanistan apply online before departure.
Data updated on
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Our guide to the United Arab Emirates visa from Afghanistan
Afghan nationals need a visa before travelling to the United Arab Emirates; the usual route is an electronic visa (e-Visa) applied for online ahead of departure.
The Afghan passport carries no visa-free entry to the UAE. Afghan travellers apply for an e-Visa that is typically sponsored by an airline, a hotel or a licensed agency. The exact fee and validity are set by the official portal and should be confirmed at the time you apply.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. Holders of an Afghan passport are not on the UAE's visa-exemption list and must hold a valid visa before arrival. The applicable regime is the electronic visa (e-Visa), obtained in advance of travel.
How much does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates cost from Afghanistan?
The official fee for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for the United Arab Emirates really cost?
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
What documents are required for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates?
Documents required for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates:
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Online application (no paper form)
- Digital photo (recent)
- Visa fee payment
- Return or onward ticket
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation
Documents and fees
Have an Afghan passport valid for at least six months, a compliant passport photo, a copy of the bio page, a confirmed return ticket and proof of accommodation or a sponsor letter. Proof of funds may be requested. The fee is not fixed here; check the official portal for the current amount.
How to apply for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates from Afghanistan
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
How and where to apply
Applications are lodged online through the ICP portal (icp.gov.ae) or the Dubai GDRFA portal (gdrfad.gov.ae). In practice a UAE-based sponsor (an airline such as Emirates or Etihad, a hotel, or a licensed travel agent) often files the application on behalf of the Afghan applicant. Start the process several weeks before departure.
Where do you apply for a visa for the United Arab Emirates from Afghanistan?
An e-visa for the United Arab Emirates is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
You live in Afghanistan on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Afghanistan but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates take?
No verified processing time is published for this route. Apply as early as your travel dates allow, and never book non-refundable travel before the e-visa is granted.
Processing and tips
Processing time is not guaranteed and can vary by channel and applicant profile; Afghan files are frequently subject to enhanced screening. Confirm the six-month passport validity and that names match your ticket exactly. Keep the e-Visa confirmation on both paper and phone for boarding.
Before you fly, and at the border
Passport validity, border checks, minors, overstays: the rules common to every trip are gathered on our travel tips page. Formalities before you leave
Common mistakes
Do not assume a visa on arrival, it is not routinely available to Afghan nationals. Avoid unlicensed middlemen, do not let your passport fall below the six-month threshold, and do not book a non-refundable flight before the visa is actually issued.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
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eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
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Other visa types for United Arab Emirates
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
- ICP: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security
- GDRFA Dubai: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
- UAE Government Portal: Entry visa and Emirates ID
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
eVisa / authorization
Entry regime
eVisa / authorization
Official websiteTo confirm
Job Seeker / Exploration visa
Work visa
Duration
60-120 days
Price
200–400 AED
Processing time
5 business days
Official websiteVerified
Student visa
Student visa
Duration
1 year (renewable)
Price
800 AED
Processing time
7 business days
Official websiteVerified
Family Residence visa (dependant)
Family reunification
Duration
2-3 years
Price
300–1,200 AED
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Golden Visa (10-year residency)
Investor visa
Duration
10 years
Price
1,200–2,300 AED
Processing time
30 days
Official websiteVerified
Green Visa (5-year residency)
Work visa
Duration
5 years
Price
700–1,300 AED
Processing time
30 days
Official websiteVerified
Virtual Working Programme (digital nomad)
Work visa
Duration
1 year
Price
300–800 AED
Processing time
14 business days
Official websiteVerified
Retirement visa (5-year, age 55+)
Retirement visa
Duration
5 years (renewable)
Price
700–1,600 AED
Processing time
30 days
Official websiteVerified
Transit visa
Transit visa
Duration
96 hours
Price
200 AED
Processing time
3 business days
Official websiteVerified
Employment Residence visa (employer-sponsored)
Work visa
Duration
2-3 years (renewable)
Price
400–1,000 AED
Processing time
15 business days
Official websiteVerified
Medical treatment visa
Consular visa
Duration
90 days
Price
200–900 AED
Processing time
5 business days
Official websiteVerified
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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