If you hold a Turkish passport and you're planning a trip to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere else in the United Arab Emirates, you'll need a valid UAE visa for Turkish citizens before you travel. The good news is that the process is straightforward, the documentation requirements are minimal, and in most cases you can complete the entire application online without visiting an embassy or consulate.
This guide walks Turkish citizens through everything they need to know: whether a visa is required, which visa type fits their trip, the documents to prepare, current fees, processing times, and how to apply online.
Do Turkish Citizens Need a Visa for the UAE?
Yes. Turkish passport holders are required to hold a valid UAE visa before entering the country, whether the trip is for tourism, business, a short transit, or a family visit. The UAE does not currently offer visa-free entry to Turkish nationals, so an e-visa must be arranged in advance of travel.
The visa is issued electronically and is valid for entry through any UAE airport or land border, including Dubai International Airport (DXB), Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), and Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) — so a single UAE visa covers travel to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the other emirates. You don't need separate "Dubai" or "Abu Dhabi" visas; these are simply different entry points into the same country and the same visa.
UAE Visa for Turkish Citizens: Overview
The UAE e-visa is a digital travel authorization linked electronically to your passport. Once approved, you don't need a physical stamp or sticker before departure — a printed or digital copy of the approval is generally sufficient to check in and board your flight, and immigration will verify your details on arrival.
Turkish citizens applying for a UAE visa can choose from several visa categories depending on how long they intend to stay and how many times they plan to enter the country during the visa's validity window. See the full list on our UAE visa types page.
Types of UAE Visas Available for Turkish Citizens
| Visa Type | Entry | Stay Validity | Visa Validity | Processing Time | Fee |
|---|
| 30-Day Single Entry | Single | 30 Days | 60 Days | 3–4 Days | $90 |
| 30-Day Multiple Entry | Multiple | 30 Days | 60 Days | 3–4 Days | $80 |
| 60-Day Single Entry | Single | 60 Days | 60 Days | 3–4 Days | $400 |
| 60-Day Multiple Entry | Multiple | 60 Days | 60 Days | 3–4 Days | $600 |
| 7-Day Short Stay | Single | 30 Days | 60 Days | 1–2 Days | $140 |
| 90-Day Leisure Visa | Single | 90 Days | 90 Days | 1–2 Days | $1,500 |
| 48-Hour Transit | Single | 48 Hours | 30 Days | 3–4 Days | $135 |
| 96-Hour Transit | Single | 96 Hours | 30 Days | 3–4 Days | $130 |
Tourists typically choose the 30-day single or multiple entry visa, since it covers the length of most vacations. Frequent travelers or those making several short trips in a two-month window benefit more from the multiple-entry option, which avoids reapplying for every visit. Transit passengers connecting through a UAE airport on the way to a third country should look at the transit visa instead of a full tourist visa.
Documents Required for a UAE Visa (Turkish Passport Holders)
Turkish citizens applying online generally need to prepare:
- A valid Turkish passport with at least six months' validity remaining from the intended date of travel
- A passport-style photograph with a plain white or light background
- A scanned copy of the passport's bio-data page, clear and in color
- Confirmed or tentative flight details (some applications ask for this, others don't require it upfront)
- Contact details — a valid email address and phone number, since the approved visa is sent electronically
No physical documents need to be posted, and no in-person appointment is required for the standard tourist e-visa categories. For a full breakdown of eligibility rules, see our UAE visa requirements page.
UAE Visa Fees for Turkish Citizens
Fees vary by visa type, entry count, and processing speed, as shown in the pricing table above. A few points worth knowing:
- Multiple-entry visas cost more than single-entry visas of the same duration because they allow unlimited exits and re-entries within the visa's validity window.
- Faster processing generally costs more. If your travel date is close, expect a premium for expedited handling.
- The visa fee covers processing and issuance only — it does not include travel insurance, which is strongly recommended for any UAE trip, or airport transfer services.
How to Apply for a UAE Visa from Turkey
Applying online takes just a few steps:
- Choose the right visa type based on your trip length and number of planned entries (see the table above).
- Fill in the online application form with your passport details, personal information, and travel dates.
- Upload your documents — passport bio page and photograph.
- Pay the visa fee securely online.
- Receive your e-visa by email, usually well before your departure date, once processing is complete.
- Print or save a digital copy to present at check-in and, if requested, on arrival in the UAE.
There's no need to visit a UAE embassy or consulate in Turkey for the standard e-visa categories — the entire process happens online. Start your application here.
UAE Visa Processing Time for Turkish Citizens
Most standard applications are processed within 3–4 business days, while expedited options (such as the 7-day short stay and 90-day leisure visa listed above) can be processed in 1–2 days. Processing times can occasionally extend during public holidays or periods of high demand, so it's sensible to apply at least a week before travel rather than at the last minute.
Dubai Visa vs. Abu Dhabi Visa for Turkish Citizens: Are They Different?
This is one of the most common points of confusion. There is no separate "Dubai visa" or "Abu Dhabi visa" — both are simply the UAE visa used to enter through a particular airport or emirate. Whether you're flying into Dubai International Airport for a beach holiday or into Abu Dhabi International Airport for business, the visa application process, documents, and fees are the same. Once your UAE visa is approved, you're free to travel between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the rest of the emirates during your stay.
UAE Visa Validity and Extension for Turkish Citizens
Each visa has two separate timeframes to keep in mind:
- Visa validity — the window during which you must enter the UAE (for example, 60 days from issuance).
- Stay validity — how long you're permitted to remain in the country once you've entered (for example, 30 or 60 days).
If your circumstances change and you need more time in the UAE than your visa currently allows, extension options are available, including inside-country (A2A) extensions for 30, 60, or 90 days, without needing to exit and re-enter the country. These typically require applying before your current stay validity expires.
Entry Requirements at UAE Airports for Turkish Passport Holders
On arrival, immigration officers at any UAE airport will check:
- Your passport (must match the details submitted in your e-visa application)
- A copy of your approved e-visa
- Occasionally, proof of onward or return travel and sufficient funds for your stay
Having printed copies of your visa approval and travel itinerary on hand, in addition to digital copies, can help avoid delays. You can verify your application status anytime on our visa status page, or cross-check details on the official UAE government portal, ICP Smart Services.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
- Applying with a passport that expires soon — the six-month validity rule is strictly enforced.
- Choosing the wrong entry type — booking a single-entry visa when you plan multiple trips within the validity period means reapplying (and paying again) for the second trip.
- Mismatched personal details — ensure the name, date of birth, and passport number entered on the application exactly match your passport.
- Applying too close to the travel date — leaving no buffer for processing delays.
- Confusing visa validity with stay validity — entering the country doesn't reset your allowed stay length; overstaying can result in fines.
