Is a Dubai visa free for children?
Updated August 2026. Yes — children under 18 travelling to Dubai with a parent pay no visa fee. The child visa is issued free of charge on all visa types: 30-day, 60-day, single entry, multiple entry, and express. The parent’s visa application covers the child at no additional cost.
If a child is travelling without a parent — with grandparents, an aunt or uncle, a school group, or any other guardian — the full adult visa fee applies. The free visa benefit applies only when a biological parent is part of the same travel group and application. This rule applies to all nationalities that require a pre-arrival Dubai tourist visa.
| Visa Type | Child With Parent | Child Without Parent |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Day Single Entry | AED 0 — Free | AED 400 (full adult fee) |
| 60-Day Single Entry | AED 0 — Free | AED 600 (full adult fee) |
| 30-Day Multiple Entry | AED 0 — Free | AED 650 (full adult fee) |
| 60-Day Multiple Entry | AED 0 — Free | AED 900 (full adult fee) |
| Express Processing | AED 0 — Free | Express fee applies in full |
What counts as a minor for Dubai visa purposes?
UAE immigration defines a minor as any person under 18 years of age at the time of travel. There is no lower age limit — newborns and infants require a visa just like any other traveller, but the fee is waived when travelling with a parent. Age is determined by the date of birth on the passport. If a child turns 18 before the travel date, the adult visa fee applies.
Do children need their own Dubai visa?
Yes. Every person entering Dubai — including infants — must hold a valid UAE entry visa if their nationality requires one. There is no such thing as being “added to” a parent’s visa. Each child gets their own individual visa document, issued in their name and linked to their passport. The visa is issued free of charge when applied for alongside a parent’s application, but it is still a separate document.
A child cannot travel on a parent’s visa or passport. They must carry their own valid passport and their own issued visa at the UAE border.
How do I apply for a Dubai visa for a child travelling with parents?
You apply for the child’s visa as part of the same application as the parent. On the application form, indicate the number of travellers including children. Upload a passport scan and photo for each child. There is no separate form or additional fee for the child’s visa — it is processed alongside the parent’s application and delivered in the same email.
Documents required for each child:
- Child’s passport (with at least 6 months validity from the travel date)
- Clear passport photo (white background)
- Proof of relationship is not routinely required but may be requested for some nationalities
The child’s visa will carry the same validity and visa type as the parent’s visa — if you apply for a 30-day tourist visa, the child receives a 30-day visa. If you apply for a 60-day visa or multiple entry visa, the child’s visa matches.
How much does a Dubai visa cost for an unaccompanied minor?
When a child travels without a parent, the standard visa fee applies in full — the same price as an adult visa. The fee is not reduced for minors travelling without parents. See the relevant visa type pages for current pricing: cheapest tourist visa Dubai from AED 400, express visa from AED 520.
The full-fee rule applies when the child travels with: grandparents, siblings, aunts or uncles, family friends, school teachers, or any adult who is not a biological parent. A legal guardian who is not a biological parent is also subject to the full fee — there is no reduced rate for guardians.
What documents are required for a child’s Dubai visa?
Whether travelling with or without a parent, each child needs the following for a Dubai visa application:
- Child’s own valid passport (minimum 6 months validity from travel date)
- Clear recent passport photo against a white background
- Return or onward travel booking
- Hotel or accommodation booking in Dubai
For unaccompanied minors (children travelling without a parent), additional documents are commonly required depending on nationality, including a letter of consent from the absent parent(s) and, in some cases, a copy of birth certificate. Our team will advise on any extra requirements at the time of application based on the child’s passport.
Can a minor travel to Dubai with one parent?
Yes. A child can travel to Dubai with either parent — both parents do not need to be present. The free child visa applies when one biological parent is travelling with the child. The absent parent is not required to provide consent documentation in most standard cases, though some nationalities may be asked for a signed permission letter from the non-travelling parent depending on their country’s specific requirements.
If you are a single parent or have sole custody, carry supporting documentation (divorce decree, custody order, or death certificate where applicable) in case UAE immigration requests it at the border. These documents are not submitted with the visa application but are useful to have available on arrival.
Can a child travel to Dubai with grandparents or a guardian?
Yes, a child can travel with grandparents or any other adult guardian — but the full adult visa fee applies for the child in this case. The free visa benefit does not extend to grandparents, relatives, or non-parent guardians. The child’s visa application is processed separately at the standard rate for their visa type.
In these situations, it is also advisable to carry a notarised letter of consent from both parents (or the surviving parent) authorising the child to travel with the named guardian. Some UAE border control officers request this, particularly for children from certain nationalities. The letter is not required for the visa application itself but helps avoid issues at immigration.
What is the Dubai visa rule for newborns and infants?
Newborns and infants require a Dubai visa if their nationality is one that requires a pre-arrival visa for UAE entry. There is no age exemption. A baby of one month must have a visa just as a teenager of 17 must. The visa is issued free of charge when applied for with a parent, and the baby’s own passport is required — a newborn cannot travel on a parent’s passport.
If your baby was born recently and the passport is being processed, apply for the visa as soon as the passport is issued. Standard processing takes 3 to 5 working days, so plan accordingly. If you need the visa urgently, express processing delivers in 12 to 24 hours.
What if a minor’s Dubai visa is rejected?
A child’s Dubai visa application can be rejected for the same reasons as an adult’s — most commonly incomplete or unclear documents, passport validity issues, or immigration flags on the family’s travel record. Government visa fees are non-refundable on rejection per UAE immigration policy.
If a child’s visa is rejected and the parent’s visa is approved (or vice versa), each is treated as a separate decision. A parent cannot travel on an approved visa and leave a child behind with a rejected visa without addressing the rejection first. Contact our support team immediately if a child visa is rejected so we can advise on reapplication options.
What else do people ask about Dubai visas for minors?
What age is considered a minor under UAE visa rules?
UAE immigration defines a minor as anyone under 18 years old at the time of travel. The cutoff is the child’s 18th birthday — if they turn 18 before the travel date, the adult visa fee applies and they are no longer eligible for the free child visa benefit when travelling with a parent.
Does the free child visa apply to 60-day and multiple entry visas?
Yes. The free child visa applies to all Dubai tourist visa types — 30-day single entry, 60-day single entry, 30-day multiple entry, and 60-day multiple entry. Whichever visa type the parent applies for, the child’s visa of the same type is issued free of charge as part of the same application.
What if the child has a different surname to the parent?
Different surnames do not prevent a child from travelling on a free visa with a parent. Surnames differ in many families for valid reasons (remarriage, cultural naming conventions, etc.). No proof of relationship is routinely required at the visa application stage, though UAE border control may ask for a birth certificate or family document if surnames differ noticeably. Carry the child’s birth certificate as a precaution.
Can a child extend their Dubai visa inside the UAE?
Yes. A child’s Dubai tourist visa can be extended inside the UAE for an additional 30 days, subject to GDRFA approval. The extension applies to the child’s individual visa document. Extension fees apply at the same rate regardless of whether the original visa was issued free of charge. The parent’s visa and the child’s visa each need separate extension applications if both are extending their stay.
Do children need a separate passport for a Dubai visa?
Yes. Every traveller entering the UAE — including infants — must hold their own valid passport. A child cannot be added to a parent’s passport. Most countries no longer issue family passports that include children. If your child does not yet have a passport, apply for one before starting the Dubai visa process, as the child’s passport is required to issue the visa.
Is there a special Dubai visa for school trips or group minors?
School groups and organised minors travelling without parents apply for individual standard tourist visas. Each minor in the group requires their own visa. The full adult fee applies for each child since no parent is travelling with them. For school trips, we recommend applying at least 5 to 7 working days before travel to allow for standard processing across all applications in the group. Express processing is available if the timeline is tight.
Can a single parent apply without consent from the other parent?
The Dubai visa application itself does not require consent from the absent parent. The visa will be issued based on the documents submitted. However, UAE border control can question a child travelling with only one parent, particularly if the parents have different nationalities. To avoid any issues at immigration, carry documentation that supports your situation — a custody order, divorce decree, or a notarised consent letter from the absent parent. This is a border control recommendation, not a visa requirement.