United Arab Emirates e-Visa for citizens of The Gambia: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of The Gambia 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 The Gambia
Gambian citizens must obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa) before travelling to the United Arab Emirates. The application is made online before departure from Banjul.
The UAE does not grant visa-free entry to Gambian nationals: a tourist e-Visa must be obtained before boarding. The application is made online on the official ICP portal, usually with the help of a sponsoring airline or an approved hotel.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. Travellers holding a Gambian passport must obtain an e-Visa before entering the United Arab Emirates. This electronic visa covers tourism and short stays; the validity and permitted length of stay depend on the category selected on the official portal.
How much does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates cost from The Gambia?
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?
The published fee is the government charge alone. Two or three other lines are added before the visa is in the passport, and they are what makes the final bill.
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
Paid to the state, non-refundable if the visa is refused.
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
Never compulsory. An intermediary fills the form for you, it does not change the decision or the processing time.
We only display amounts published by an official source. Confirm the total before paying anything.
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
Gather a Gambian passport valid for at least six months from entry, a compliant passport photo, an accommodation address and a return ticket. Proof of funds may be required depending on the category. Fees vary with duration (30- or 60-day visa, single or multiple entry): check the exact price on the official portal before paying.
How to apply for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates from The Gambia
- 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
The application is completed entirely online on the ICP portal (icp.gov.ae). UAE carriers such as Emirates and Etihad, along with approved hotels, can sponsor and submit the file on your behalf. No consular appointment is required: the approved visa is delivered electronically.
Where do you apply for a visa for the United Arab Emirates from The Gambia?
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 The Gambia on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in The Gambia 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 of a UAE e-Visa is generally quick, but checks can extend it; submit several days before your flight. Make sure your name is entered exactly as it appears on your passport and keep a printed copy as well as a digital version of the visa for boarding and the check on arrival.
Before you fly, and at the border
- Passport validity: most countries require the passport to stay valid beyond the return date, and the margin required differs from one destination to the next. Check it on the official source, and count from your return, not from your departure.
- A visa is not a right of entry. The border officer decides, and may ask for a return ticket, an address or proof of funds even when everything is in order.
- Conditional exemptions exist: several countries waive the visa for holders of a valid visa or residence permit from a third country. This depends on the destination and on the document, and we do not publish that rule when our sources do not carry it. The official page does.
- Minors travelling alone or with one parent are often asked for extra papers, typically a parental authorisation and the family record. Ask the post before booking.
- Overstaying is not a formality. It exposes you to a fine, to removal, and to an entry ban that can outlast the trip by years, including for the whole area when the destination belongs to one.
Common mistakes
The most frequent errors involve a passport valid for less than six months, a non-compliant photo, a mistake in personal details, or relying on a visa on arrival without confirmation. Always respect the permitted length of stay to avoid an overstay, which is penalised with fines.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
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eSIM data (Saily)
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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 & Foreigners Affairs
- UAE Government official portal (u.ae)
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to the United Arab Emirates from The Gambia?▾
Yes, an e-visa (electronic visa) is required. It is applied for online before departure.
What documents are required for a visa to the United Arab Emirates?▾
For the tourist visa application, you will need: 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.
How do you apply for a visa for the United Arab Emirates from The Gambia?▾
The application is fully online and made before departure: form on the official portal, documents uploaded, card payment, then the authorisation arrives by email. In most cases no consular visit is needed.
What other visa types exist for the United Arab Emirates?▾
Depending on the purpose of stay, the United Arab Emirates offers among others: Job Seeker / Exploration visa, Green Visa (5-year residency), Virtual Working Programme (digital nomad), Employment Residence visa (employer-sponsored), Student visa, Family Residence visa (dependant).
Data verified on 25/10/2026 · Our methodology
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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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