Syrian citizens require a visa to enter Dubai and the UAE. Syria is not on the UAE visa-on-arrival list. Apply Dubai Visa processes Syrian passport applications through the official GDRFA portal with standard approval in 3–5 working days. This guide covers Syrian passport holders applying from within Syria and from third countries where large Syrian communities reside..
Do Syrian citizens need a visa for Dubai?
Yes. Syrian passport holders must obtain a pre-approved tourist e-visa before travelling to Dubai. The UAE does not offer a visa on arrival for Syrian nationals. The UAE Embassy in Damascus (Mezzeh district) is operational, but online applications through a licensed UAE agency are the faster and more commonly used route — no appointment required and processing begins immediately on document receipt. Apply Dubai Visa (DTCM Licence No. 1418453) submits all applications directly to UAE immigration via the official GDRFA portal.
Note for Syrians residing abroad: A large proportion of Syrian Dubai visa applicants are based in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Germany, or the Gulf region. If you hold a valid residency permit or long-term visa for another country, this does not change your UAE visa requirement — you still apply as a Syrian passport holder through the same process. Your country of residence does not grant you UAE entry rights.
Dubai visa options and fees for Syrian passport holders
Syrian citizens can choose from six visa types. All fees are in UAE Dirhams (AED).
| Visa Type | Duration | Entry | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Stay Visa | 7 days | Single | 329 |
| Tourist Visa | 14 days | Single | 350 |
| Tourist Visa | 30 days | Single | 400 |
| Tourist Visa | 60 days | Single | 650 |
| Multiple Entry Visa | 30 days | Multiple | 750 |
| Multiple Entry Visa | 60 days | Multiple | 1,250 |
The 30-day single-entry tourist visa (AED 400) is the most common choice for Syrian visitors to Dubai. Many Syrians with family members already working in the UAE prefer the 60-day multiple-entry option (AED 1,250) for extended stays and multiple border crossings. Express processing (24–48 hours) is available at an additional charge.
Documents required for a Dubai visa from Syria
- Passport: Valid Syrian passport with at least six months validity beyond your UAE entry date and at least one blank page. Passports issued by the Syrian Arab Republic are accepted.
- Passport-sized photograph: Recent colour photo, white background, full face visible, 35 mm × 45 mm.
- Bank statement: Last three months of personal bank statements. Given current Syrian banking conditions, statements from banks in your country of residence (e.g., Turkish, Lebanese, Jordanian, or European banks) are also accepted if you are applying from abroad. The balance should demonstrate sufficient funds for your Dubai stay.
- Return or onward flight ticket: Confirmed booking showing departure from the UAE before visa expiry.
- Hotel booking or accommodation proof: Confirmed hotel reservation or an invitation letter from a UAE resident. Many Syrians in Dubai invite family members — a UAE resident’s invitation letter with their Emirates ID copy is a valid substitute for a hotel booking.
- Travel insurance: Not mandatory under UAE rules but strongly recommended.
How long does Dubai visa processing take for Syrian citizens?
Standard processing is 3–5 working days. Express processing (24–48 hours) is available. Processing can extend to 6–7 days during UAE peak periods: Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Dubai Shopping Festival (January), and the December school holiday season.
For Syrians flying from Damascus International Airport (DAM): Cham Wings Airlines and Flydubai operate the Damascus–Dubai route. Flight time is approximately 2.5 hours. Syrians travelling from Lebanon commonly use Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) — multiple airlines serve the BEY–DXB route with short flight times. Syrians in Turkey most commonly connect via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen or Istanbul Airport with Turkish Airlines or Pegasus.
How to apply for a Dubai visa from Syria
- Submit documents: Send clear scans of your passport, passport photo, bank statement, return ticket, and hotel booking (or UAE resident invitation letter) via our online form or WhatsApp.
- We review and submit: Our team checks completeness and submits directly through the official GDRFA portal.
- Receive your e-visa: Approved visa arrives by email as a PDF. Print it or save it to your phone. Present it alongside your Syrian passport at Dubai immigration on arrival.
Apply Dubai Visa | DTCM Licence No. 1418453 | Dubai, UAE | +971 50 259 3256
Why do Dubai visa applications get rejected for Syrian passport holders?
- Insufficient bank balance: A consistent balance of at least AED 3,000–5,000 equivalent is expected. Given currency restrictions in Syria, if you are applying from abroad, provide statements from your overseas bank account.
- Passport validity: Syrian passports expiring within six months of your UAE entry date will be refused. Renew your passport before applying if it is close to expiry.
- Expired or missing residency documents for overseas applicants: If you are applying from a third country, your residency status in that country does not affect your UAE visa application, but UAE immigration may ask for it at the port of entry as supplementary evidence.
- Low-resolution document scans: Use 300 DPI minimum.
- Previous UAE violation: Unresolved overstay fines from a previous UAE visit block new applications. Check the GDRFA website.
Can Syrian citizens extend their Dubai tourist visa?
Yes. A 30-day extension can be applied for from within the UAE before your current visa expires. After expiry, an overstay fine of AED 50 per day applies immediately. Contact us with your visa number before expiry to initiate the extension via GDRFA.
Frequently asked questions — Dubai visa for Syrian citizens
Do Syrian citizens need a visa to visit Dubai?
Yes. Syria is not on the UAE visa-on-arrival list. Syrian passport holders must obtain a pre-approved tourist e-visa through a licensed UAE agency before travelling to Dubai.
Can I use my Syrian passport if I live in Turkey, Lebanon, or Europe?
Yes. Wherever you are based, you apply for a UAE tourist visa using your Syrian passport. Your residency in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Germany, or any other country does not change the requirement — you apply as a Syrian national through the same online process. If you have a UAE-resident family member who can provide an invitation letter, this can support your application.
Do I need a bank statement for a Dubai visa from Syria?
Yes. A three-month bank statement is required. If you are applying from within Syria, provide statements from your Syrian bank. If you are based abroad, statements from your overseas bank account are accepted. The statement should show a balance sufficient to cover your accommodation and expenses in Dubai.
Are there direct flights from Syria to Dubai?
Yes. Flydubai and Cham Wings Airlines operate direct flights between Damascus (DAM) and Dubai (DXB). Flight time is approximately 2.5 hours. Syrians travelling from Beirut (BEY) have a wide range of options with multiple airlines on the BEY–DXB route. Istanbul is another common departure point for Syrians based in Turkey.
Is there a large Syrian community in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai has one of the largest Syrian expatriate communities outside Syria. Many Syrians work in trading, retail, hospitality, and professional services across the UAE. Having a UAE-resident family member or friend can support your visa application through an invitation letter accompanied by their Emirates ID copy.
What is the cheapest Dubai visa for Syrian passport holders?
The 7-day short-stay visa costs AED 329. The 30-day single-entry tourist visa at AED 400 is the most popular option. There is no free or subsidised visa category for Syrian nationals.
Can I work in Dubai on a tourist visa as a Syrian citizen?
No. A tourist visa does not authorise employment in the UAE. Working on a tourist visa violates UAE immigration law. Your UAE employer must sponsor an employment visa through MOHRE.
What happens if I overstay my Dubai visa?
A fine of AED 50 per day is charged from the visa expiry date, collected at Dubai airport on departure. Apply for a 30-day extension before expiry to avoid the fine.
Last updated: August 2026 | Source: UAE ICP — icp.gov.ae | GDRFA — gdrfad.gov.ae