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A Dubai visa for a South African passport holder costs from about US$85 for a 48 hour transit visa to US$350 for a 60 day multiple entry tourist visa when you apply through Hadaf Al Muteena Travel & Tourism LLC. In rand, that is roughly R1,400 to R5,800 per person. The exact figure depends on the visa type, the length of stay, the entry type, the processing speed and any extras you add.

This guide breaks the price into its parts: the government fee charged by the Dubai authority, VAT, the agency service fee, medical insurance and optional add-ons. It also explains the one route where South Africans can get a visa on arrival, so you know what you should expect to pay before you pay it.

Dubai Visa Cost from South Africa at a Glance

The table shows the visa products listed on the Hadaf Al Muteena application page. Every visa is issued by the United Arab Emirates and covers one traveller. A visa must be used within 30 days of the issue date, and the stay period starts on the day you enter.

Visa type	Stay allowed	Entry	Price (USD)	Approx. rand	Typical processing
48 Hours Transit	48 hours	Single	US$85	R1,400	6 to 12 hours
96 Hours Transit	96 hours	Single	US$110	R1,820	1 to 2 days
14 Days Tourist	14 days	Single	US$150	R2,480	1 to 2 days
30 Days Tourist	30 days	Single	US$180	R2,970	1 to 2 days
30 Days Multi Entry Tourist	30 days	Multiple	US$280	R4,620	Confirmed at order
60 Days Tourist	60 days	Single	US$250	R4,130	1 to 2 days
60 Days Multi Tourist	60 days	Multiple	US$350	R5,780	Confirmed at order

Rand figures use an indicative rate of about R16.5 per US dollar and are rounded. Your bank or card rate will differ. Applications made on weekends and public holidays can take longer.

Do South Africans Need a Visa for Dubai?

Yes, in most cases. A South African passport does not give visa free entry to the United Arab Emirates, and the standard visa on arrival that some nationalities enjoy does not apply to a South African travelling from home. You need an approved visa before you board the flight at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport in Durban or any other departure point.

One visa covers all seven emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Travellers in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban all apply online, so there is no need to visit an office in person.

The residence permit route: visa on arrival

Since 25 June 2026, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows holders of an ordinary South African passport, and their accompanying family members, to receive a visa on arrival if they hold a valid residence permit issued by the United States, an EU member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. A South African living in South Africa without one of those permits does not qualify and must apply for a normal visa in advance.

Visa on arrival type	Government fee	Approx. rand	Extension
14 day visa	AED 100	About R450	Can be extended once inside the UAE
60 day visa	AED 250	About R1,120	Cannot be extended

An overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies to these visas. Airlines apply their own checks before boarding, so confirm your eligibility with your carrier before you fly.

What Makes Up the Price of a Dubai Visa

A Dubai visa price is not a single government charge. It is built from several attributes, and each one can raise or lower your total.

• Government fee: the entry permit fee charged by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai.
• VAT: 5% is added to the government visa fee.
• Agency service fee: the charge from a licensed travel and tourism company for sponsoring, preparing and submitting the application.
• Medical insurance: Dubai requires medical insurance valid in the UAE for a single entry tourist visa.
• Visa length: 14, 30 or 60 days. A longer stay costs more.
• Entry type: a single entry visa is cheaper than a multiple entry visa.
• Processing speed: standard processing costs less than urgent or emergency processing.
• Number of travellers: every traveller, including children, needs a separate visa, so the fee is multiplied.

Official Government Fees for a Dubai Tourist Visa

The GDRFA Dubai publishes the base fee for a single entry tourist visa. The official processing time is 48 hours, and the visa can only be sponsored by an accredited tourism office, which is why South African travellers apply through a licensed agency, airline or hotel rather than directly.

Visa	Government fee	VAT	Approx. rand before VAT
Single entry, 30 days	AED 200	5% on top	About R900
Single entry, 60 days	AED 300	5% on top	About R1,350

Government fees are shown in UAE dirhams. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at about AED 3.67 per US$1. The official fee is only one part of what you pay, because the agency service fee and insurance are added on top.

Dubai Transit Visa Cost for South African Travellers

A transit visa suits passengers connecting through Dubai International Airport (DXB) who want to leave the airport during a layover. The 48 hours transit visa costs US$85 (about R1,400) and the 96 hours transit visa costs US$110 (about R1,820). Both are single entry, both must be used within 30 days of issue, and the 48 or 96 hour countdown starts when you enter the country.

If your layover is under 48 hours, the 48 hours visa is usually enough. Choose the 96 hours option when you want to add a few nights in Dubai before your onward flight.

Dubai Tourist Visa Cost by Length of Stay

14 day tourist visa: US$150 (about R2,480)

This single entry visa gives you 14 days from the day you enter. It fits a short holiday, a business trip or a week in Dubai with a few days in Abu Dhabi.

30 day tourist visa: US$180 (about R2,970)

The 30 day single entry visa suits a longer holiday or a family visit. It costs US$30 more than the 14 day visa and doubles the time you can stay.

60 day tourist visa: US$250 (about R4,130)

The 60 day single entry visa suits extended stays. It costs US$70 more than the 30 day visa.

Multiple entry tourist visas: US$280 and US$350

A multiple entry visa lets you leave and return during the validity period, such as when you plan a side trip to Oman. The 30 day multiple entry visa costs US$280 (about R4,620) and the 60 day multiple entry visa costs US$350 (about R5,780).

Emergency Visa Processing Fees

When you travel at short notice, emergency processing is added as a second line item next to your chosen visa. It does not replace the visa fee.

Processing time	Add-on fee (USD)	Approx. rand
12 to 24 hours	US$300	About R4,950
6 to 12 hours	US$500	About R8,250
1 to 2 hours	US$800	About R13,200

Only the basic application fee part of an emergency tier is refundable if the visa is not delivered in time. Insurance, service, transaction and VAT charges are not refundable.

Extra Costs to Plan For

• Optional travel insurance: US$50 (about R830) per traveller when added during the Hadaf application.
• Currency conversion: you pay in US dollars from a rand account, so your bank may add a foreign exchange margin or card fee.
• Overstay fines: AED 50 per day applies on the residence permit visa on arrival, so always leave before your permitted stay ends.
• Onward ticket: Dubai requires proof of a ticket to continue your travel or to leave the UAE.
• Passport photo and document preparation: a recent photo on a white background and a clear colour scan of your passport.

Factors That Change Your Total

• Travel party: a family of four pays four visa fees, and the optional insurance is also charged per person.
• Timing: applying close to your departure date or over a weekend or public holiday can push you towards paid urgent processing.
• Stay length: choosing a 60 day visa for a 10 day holiday means paying for time you will not use.
• Entry type: pay for multiple entry only if you plan to leave and re-enter the UAE.
• Agency terms: Hadaf states that its service fee is separate from government visa charges, so check the final total on the order form before you pay.

Documents to Prepare Before You Pay

• A passport valid for at least six months from your travel date, with blank pages.
• A clear, full colour copy of the passport biographical page.
• A recent passport style photo with a white background and the full face visible.
• A return or onward flight ticket.
• Medical insurance valid in the UAE.
• Your phone number and email address for the visa delivery.

Apply with documents that are complete and consistent. Check that the name, passport number and dates on the application match the passport exactly before you submit.

How to Apply Through Hadaf Al Muteena

Hadaf Al Muteena Travel & Tourism LLC is a licensed travel and tourism company in Deira, Dubai. It is a private agency and not a government body. The steps below follow the application page.

1. Choose your visa type, such as a 30 Days Tourist visa or a 96 Hours Transit visa.
2. Enter each traveller’s passport details and upload the required documents.
3. Add optional travel insurance or emergency processing if you need them.
4. Review the total for all travellers and pay online.
5. Receive your approved visa electronically and print a copy to carry on your trip.

Mistakes That Make a Dubai Visa More Expensive

• Applying too early: the visa must be used within 30 days of issue, so an application made too far ahead can expire before you travel.
• Applying too late: urgent processing costs far more than standard processing.
• Forgetting a child: every traveller needs their own visa, so a missing child visa can mean paying again at the last minute.
• Travelling with a short passport validity: a passport with under six months left can be refused.
• Using look-alike websites: the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) warns that fraudulent websites impersonate official channels, so apply through a licensed agency or an official channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a Dubai visa from South Africa in rand?

Through Hadaf Al Muteena, prices run from about R1,400 for a 48 hour transit visa to about R5,780 for a 60 day multiple entry visa. A 30 day single entry tourist visa is about R2,970. Rand values are approximate and change with the exchange rate.

Is there a visa on arrival for South Africans in Dubai?

Only for South African passport holders who hold a valid residence permit from the United States, an EU member state, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. Everyone else needs a visa before departure.

What is the cheapest Dubai visa for a South African passport holder?

Among the Hadaf products, the 48 Hours Transit visa at US$85 is the lowest priced. The lowest priced tourist visa is the 14 Days Tourist visa at US$150.

How long does a Dubai visa take for South Africans?

Hadaf lists 6 to 12 hours for the 48 hour transit visa and 1 to 2 days for the 96 hour transit and the single entry tourist visas. Weekends and public holidays can take longer, and emergency processing is available for last-minute trips.

Do children need a separate Dubai visa?

Yes. Every traveller, including children and babies, needs a visa in their own name, so multiply the fee by the number of people travelling.

Can I get a Dubai visa at the airport in Dubai?

Not as a standard South African traveller. Apply before you fly. The only airport route is the residence permit visa on arrival described above.

Get Your Dubai Visa from South Africa

Choose your visa, add each traveller and see your total before you pay on the Hadaf Al Muteena application page. If you are unsure which visa fits your trip, send your travel dates to the team by WhatsApp on +971 52 791 0423 and they will point you to the right option.