dubai free visa 2026: uae visa exemption rules for families & tourists

Dubai Free Visa 2026 – Complete Guide to UAE Visa Exemptions and Summer Travel Benefits

11-Nov-2025 0 Comments 0 Views

Planning a family trip to the Emirates in 2026? The UAE continues to welcome millions of visitors every year, and one of the most attractive benefits for families is the Dubai Free Visa program. This initiative offers visa fee exemptions for children under 18 years old during the UAE’s summer months, making it easier and more affordable for families to enjoy their holiday in the Emirates.

This guide explains everything about the Dubai Free Visa 2026, including eligibility, rules, exemptions, and how to apply for your Emirates Visa hassle-free.

What is a Dubai or Emirates Visa?

A Dubai or Emirates Visa is an official authorization that allows travelers to enter, stay, or transit through the United Arab Emirates legally. Whether you’re visiting for tourism, business, or family reasons, obtaining the right visa type is essential.

The Emirates Visa is typically available as an e-Visa, allowing travelers to apply conveniently online without visiting an embassy or consulate.

What is the Dubai Free Visa Scheme 2026?

The Dubai Free Visa Scheme is a seasonal initiative by the UAE government that waives visa fees for children traveling with their parents during the summer period from July 15 to September 15 each year. This program aims to promote tourism during the hotter months and encourage families to visit Dubai’s world-class attractions, shopping malls, and resorts.

Summer Fee Exemption for Families and Children

Under this rule, children below 18 years traveling with their parents to the UAE during the specified dates are exempted from visa fees. This initiative is regulated by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) and continues to support Dubai’s vision as a family-friendly travel destination.

Duration and Validity of the Dubai Free Visa Rule

The exemption applies to all tourist visas issued between July 15 and September 15 each year. Families must apply for the visa within 60 days before their intended travel date to ensure smooth processing. Even if your travel dates overlap with the exemption window, your child’s visa fee will be waived.

Eligibility Criteria for Dubai Free Visa 2026

To qualify for the Dubai Free Visa program in 2026, the following conditions must be met:

Who Can Apply for the Free Visa?

  • Children under the age of 18 at the time of application.

  • Must be traveling with one or both parents.

  • The visit should fall within the official exemption period (July 15 – September 15).

  • The family must apply through authorized visa channels such as Emirates Visa.

Key Documents Required

  • Valid passport (minimum six months validity).

  • Recent passport-size photograph.

  • Birth certificate to verify age.

  • Travel itinerary and confirmed flight tickets.

  • Accommodation details or hotel booking.

How to Apply for a Dubai Visa Online (Step-by-Step Process)

The online application process is simple, fast, and secure when done through Emirates Visa.

Step 1: Choose the Type of Emirates Visa

Select the visa category based on your travel purpose — such as a 14-day, 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day tourist visa.

Step 2: Fill Out the Application Form

Provide your personal details, passport information, and travel dates accurately.

Step 3: Upload Required Documents

Upload scanned copies of your passport, photograph, and any additional required documents.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee (if applicable)

For eligible children, the visa fee is automatically waived during the exemption period.

Step 5: Receive Your Visa via Email

Once processed, your approved Emirates Visa will be delivered directly to your email inbox.

Dubai Free Visa 2026 Rules and Important Updates

Summer Fee Waiver Period

The exemption period remains from 15 July to 15 September, consistent with previous years.

Age and Travel Restrictions

  • The child’s age must be under 18 at the time of travel.

  • The exemption applies only if the child is traveling with a parent.

  • Individual minors or group trips without parents do not qualify.

Benefits of Applying for Your Emirates Visa Online

Fast, Reliable & Secure Application Process

Applying online through Emirates Visa ensures you avoid long queues, embassy visits, and paperwork delays.

24/7 Customer Support and Assistance

Our support team helps you at every step of the visa process — from document verification to final approval — making your travel experience seamless.

Why Choose Professional Visa Assistance?

Many travelers face rejections or delays due to incomplete documentation or incorrect visa types. Choosing a professional visa service like Emirates Visa ensures accuracy, transparency, and a higher success rate.

Avoid Rejection or Delays

We verify your documents and ensure all details meet UAE Immigration requirements.

Get Expert Guidance on Documentation

Our experts handle everything from start to finish, saving you time and avoiding common mistakes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying

  • Providing incorrect passport details.

  • Uploading unclear document scans.

  • Missing the exemption period dates.

  • Applying through unauthorized or fake websites.

Always ensure your application is submitted through a trusted platform like Emirates Visa for secure processing.

Final Thoughts and Call-to-Action

The Dubai Free Visa 2026 program is a golden opportunity for families planning to visit the UAE. By taking advantage of the summer visa fee exemption, parents can save significantly on travel costs while exploring Dubai’s unmatched hospitality, theme parks, and attractions.

Apply today for your Emirates Visa to experience a smooth, safe, and affordable journey to the heart of the Emirates.

Frequently Asked Questions

The government changes visa policy and requirements to boost up tourism, and travel to the United Arab Emirates more. Traveling to the United Arab Emirates is a dream destination for many wanderers. UAE Government has recently made changes in the fee requirement of UAE visas for particular age groups. If the family with minor or any children who are under 18 years is traveling to the United Arab Emirates. Then there is no need to pay any visa fee for Emirates to a particular time in the year. The no visa-free fee exemption is only provided to children under 28 years for a certain period. The new latest changes of fee exemption of visas are functional under the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (FAIC).

Emirates visa or UAE visa is required to obtain entry into the United Arab Emirates a popular tourist spot for tourists, workplace for few ex-pats, foreign national interesting in conducting business, foreign national studying in UAE, etc. The Emirates visa type depends on the purpose and duration of stay. It can be a business visa, tourist visa, work visa, student visa, residence visa, medical permit, and another kind of permit for the United Arab Emirates. If you are a foreign national intending to enter the UAE for any reason then an Emirates visa is required.

 Emirates visa-free means that eligible countries are free to enter the United Arab Emirates without any visa requirements. Emirates visa-free countries can enjoy no visa entry and freedom of travel inside the country. The visa-free service is not permitted in every country in UAE. Therefore, Visitors should check the requirement of visas and other travel information if they are planning to enter the United Arab Emirates.

No, it is not possible to enter the Emirates if your national passport is about to expire within one month. The authority at an airport in UAE will refuse to allow your entry. Every country has basic passport requirements needed to be followed by tourists, and foreign nationals. UAE immigration policy states that the passport of a foreign national intending to enter the United Arab Emirates should verify that the visa validity will not end up in the next 6 months. Also, ensure that there are a few empty pages in the passport before entering UAE.

All the children under 18 years do not have to pay fees for a United Arab Emirates visa during late spring. The offer will stay valid from 15 July to 15 September every year. Parents can avail of this visa fee exemption offer and other summer season offer in UAE. After 15 September and before 15 July parents will need to pay Emirate visa fees for children according to the nationality and purpose.

If you are keenly interested in witnessing some beautiful landscapes and the world's highest tower, technology, and more. Then tourists must consider traveling to UAE for leisure and enjoyment. Skyscraper, beach, luxury hotel, snow park, and most popular sand Safari, camping, and recreational activities. UAE is the best destination for adventure lovers as they can travel to Dubai safari camp for a thrilled and fun-filled activity like quad biking.

No, most of the countries are not eligible and are not permitted to enter the United Arab Emirates without a valid Tourist Visa. Although, UAE does provide limited countries including GCC countries to enter the United Arab Emirates without a tourist visa for a limited time. Tourists or visitors who are planning to enter UAE should follow the basic entry rule and know about their UAE visa requirements.

The 48-hour transit visa for the United Arab Emirates is a very short-period visa for foreign nationals. The 48-hour transit visa can be obtained by foreign nationals having connecting flights from UAE to other third destinations. To leave the transit area at UAE airport foreign nationals can get a 48-hour valid transit visa. It is a short-term visa that provides one-time entry to UAE. The rate of a 48 hour UAE transit visa is USD 70. 

The United Arab Emirates border is currently open for every visitor or tourist willing to enter the country. After 30 August 2021 UAE Government has permitted almost every country to enter only with a tourist visa for UAE. All the visitors are recommended to gather information about COVID 19 entry requirements before visiting UAE to avoid last-minute entry rejection.

Yes, if you need a longer valid transit visa than a 58-hour transit visa in UAE. Then, the 96-hour valid transit visa option in UAE is also provided and referred. This single entry visa with a 96-hour validity cost is USD 120.

Not all the countries in the world are permitted or eligible to get an e-visa for Emirates. Certain countries are only eligible for Emirates embassy visas. Therefore getting an e-visa for UAE is not possible for the selected nation. They must travel to the UAE embassy with documents for any type of visa.

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