Sri Lankan citizens need a visa before travelling to Dubai, and the visa must be approved before you fly. Dubai E Visa Online is a licensed UAE travel agency that sponsors your application, checks your documents and submits it to UAE immigration for you. You can apply online from Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, India or anywhere else, with no embassy visit and no paperwork sent by post.
Whether you are planning a holiday, visiting family who live in the UAE, attending a business meeting or simply changing planes in Dubai, there is a visa to suit the trip. This page explains which Dubai visas are available to Sri Lankan passport holders, how our service works, which documents you need, and what to do if you are applying from the UAE, the UK or India rather than from Sri Lanka.
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Dubai Visa Types for Sri Lankan Citizens
Dubai offers several short-stay visas for Sri Lankan passport holders. The right one depends on why you are travelling, how long you plan to stay, and whether you expect to leave and re-enter the UAE during your trip.
Tourist and visit visas (30 and 60 days)
These are the most popular visas for Sri Lankan travellers. They suit holidays, shopping trips, sightseeing and visits to family and friends. You choose the length of stay (30 or 60 days) and whether you want single or multiple entry. Note that the stay is the number of days you can spend in the UAE, while the visa itself must be used within its validity period, which is usually longer than the stay. A tourist or visit visa does not allow you to work in the UAE.
Business visa (14 days)
The 14-day business visa is for attending meetings, exhibitions, conferences and other short business activities. It is a visit visa, not a work permit, so it does not allow employment or a salary from a UAE employer. Choose it if your purpose is business, so that your application matches your travel plans.
Transit visas (48 and 96 hours)
If you are changing planes in Dubai and want to leave the airport to see the city, you need a transit visa. The 48-hour visa suits a layover of about a day or two, and the 96-hour visa suits a longer stopover. Transit visas are single entry and are not extendable. You will normally need to show your onward ticket. If you are not leaving the airport during your layover, check with your airline whether you need a visa at all.
Short visit (7 days)
A 7-day visit visa works for very short trips such as a long weekend or a quick family visit. It can be extended if you decide to stay longer.
Single entry or multiple entry?
Single entry allows one entry into the UAE. If you leave the country, the visa ends, even if you have days left. Multiple entry lets you leave and re-enter during the visa's validity. That makes it useful if you plan day trips to a neighbouring country such as Oman, or if you travel back and forth for family or business reasons.
See current prices for Sri Lankan applicants on our Dubai visa price page for Sri Lankan citizens. Need it urgently? See our express visa service.
Dubai Visa Service for Sri Lankan Citizens: What We Do for You
Many people assume they can apply for a Dubai tourist visa directly on a government website. In practice, UAE tourist visas can't be applied for on government websites. Every application must be submitted through a UAE-based sponsor, and that is the role Dubai E Visa Online plays. We are a licensed travel agency in the UAE, and we sponsor and manage your application from document check to result.
When you apply with us, we:
- Sponsor your application as a licensed UAE travel agency, so you do not need to find a sponsor yourself
- Check your documents before submission, so errors such as an unclear photo or a cropped passport scan are caught before immigration sees them
- Submit the application to UAE immigration on your behalf
- Keep you updated and let you track the status of your application online at any time
- Support you by WhatsApp, email and phone if you have a question or a problem
Why the document check matters
A large share of visa problems come from small, avoidable errors: a blurred photo, a passport scan with a corner missing, a name spelled differently on two documents, or a passport that is close to expiry. Our team reviews your documents before they are submitted and contacts you if something needs to be corrected, which saves you from finding out after the application has already been sent.
What we are, and what we are not
We are a private travel agency. We are not a government body and we are not affiliated with GDRFA, ICP or any embassy. Approval is decided solely by UAE immigration, so no agency can guarantee it. What we can do is make sure your application is complete, accurate and correctly submitted.
How to Apply for a Dubai Visa Online from Sri Lanka
The whole process takes place online. Here is what to expect at each step.
- Open the application and select Sri Lanka as your citizenship. This makes sure you see the visa options and requirements for Sri Lankan passport holders.
- Choose your visa type and duration. Pick the visa that matches your trip: tourist, business, transit, or an extension if you are already in the UAE.
- Fill in the application form. Enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport, including spelling and dates.
- Upload your documents. Add your passport bio page, photo, flight booking and accommodation details.
- Pay securely online. Payment is by card. You see the final amount before you pay.
- Receive your application ID by email and track the status. You can check the progress of your application online at any time.
- Download your e-visa once approved. Book your flights only after the visa has been approved, so you are not left with a ticket you cannot use.
After your visa is approved
- Download the e-visa and save a copy on your phone.
- Print a copy to carry with your Sri Lankan passport, in case you are asked for it at the airport.
- Check the name, passport number, visa type, stay and validity dates on the visa, and tell us straight away if anything is wrong.
- Make sure you enter the UAE within the visa's validity period.
- Keep your return flight and hotel details handy for immigration.
Documents Required
Having the right documents ready before you start makes the application faster and reduces the chance of delays.
- Scan of your Sri Lankan passport bio page. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date and have at least 4 blank pages. The scan must be clear, show the whole page and not be covered by a finger or any other object.
- One recent colour passport photo. Each applicant submits a clear colour photograph of themselves against a plain white background. Black-and-white photos are not accepted.
- Return flight booking. A return ticket showing your travel dates. We recommend booking flights only after your visa is approved.
- Hotel booking or host details. Show your hotel booking. If you are staying with a relative or friend in the UAE, you can share their Emirates ID instead.
Tips for a smooth application
- Scan the passport in good light, flat, with all four corners visible.
- Use a recent photo. Do not use filters, and do not cut the photo from a group picture.
- Copy names and dates directly from your passport so they match everywhere.
- If you are travelling with family, prepare each person's documents separately.
Dubai Visa for Sri Lankan Citizens, by Where You Live
The visa is the same wherever you apply from, and you always apply with your Sri Lankan passport. What differs is what you are most likely trying to do.
Applying from Sri Lanka
If you live in Sri Lanka, you can complete the whole application online, pay by card and receive your e-visa by email. There is no embassy visit and no courier. Most Sri Lankan applicants choose a 30-day single-entry visa for a holiday or a family visit, and a 60-day visa if they plan a longer stay. Apply well before your travel date, and book your flights once the visa is approved. For prices and processing times, see our price page for Sri Lankan applicants. To talk to someone before you apply, message us on WhatsApp.
Sri Lankan citizens living in the UAE
If you live in the UAE, there are two common situations.
1. Bringing family or friends from Sri Lanka. You can apply for a visit visa for relatives or friends coming to see you. You will normally need to share your Emirates ID as their host. The guest supplies their passport bio page and photo, as in the document list above.
2. Extending or changing a visit visa for someone already in the UAE. If you or a guest is on a visit visa and needs more time, there are three options:
- Inside-country extension. Extend the visa without leaving the UAE. Submit the application 2–3 days before the current visa expires. See the 30-day or 60-day inside-country extension.
- Airport-to-airport (A2A) change. When the new visa is ready, the traveller flies to a neighbouring country such as Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia and returns on the same flight with a fresh visit visa. See the 30-day or 60-day A2A option.
- Exit and re-entry by road. The traveller leaves the UAE by road, receives an exit stamp and re-enters with a new visa. It takes several hours and is usually the least convenient option.
A note on overstaying: If a visitor remains in the UAE after the applicable permitted stay and grace period, an AED 50 overstay fine is charged for each day. The applicable grace period can vary depending on the type of entry permit or visa.
Sri Lankan citizens living in the UK
If you live in the UK, you can apply for a Dubai visa online without visiting an embassy or a visa centre. Choose Sri Lankan citizenship on the form, upload your documents and pay by card. Your e-visa is delivered by email, so you can print it before your flight. Carry the e-visa together with your Sri Lankan passport. Holding a UK residence permit does not by itself remove the Dubai visa requirement for Sri Lankan passport holders. Because of the time difference, message us on WhatsApp if you need help outside UAE office hours.
Sri Lankan citizens living in India
If you live in India, you can apply for a Dubai visa online in the same way. Select Sri Lankan citizenship, and select India as your country of residence if the form asks. Use your Sri Lankan passport for the application. The documents are the same as for any other applicant, and you can track your application online until your e-visa is ready.
Sri Lankan citizens living elsewhere
The same process applies from any other country. Select Sri Lankan citizenship and your country of residence, and follow the steps above.
Which Visa Should I Choose?
If you are not sure, use these quick rules.
- Layover of a day or two, and you want to see the city: a 48-hour or 96-hour transit visa.
- A holiday or family visit up to a month: the 30-day single-entry visa.
- A longer stay, or you want to leave and re-enter the UAE: a 60-day visa or a multiple-entry visa.
- A short trip of a week or less: the 7-day short visit visa.
- Business meetings, exhibitions or conferences: the 14-day business visa.
- Already in Dubai and need more time: an inside-country extension or an A2A change (see the UAE section above).
If your plans are uncertain, choose the visa that covers your longest likely stay, and check whether a multiple-entry visa suits you better. If you would like a second opinion before you pay, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking flights before the visa is approved
- Choosing a tourist visa for a trip whose purpose is work
- Applying with a passport that has less than 6 months of validity
- Uploading a blurry or cropped passport scan or an unsuitable photo
- Letting a visit visa expire before applying for an extension
Planning Your Trip?
Once your visa is sorted, read our Dubai travel guide for Sri Lankan citizens. It covers the best time to visit, where to stay, a 5-day itinerary, local rules to know and a checklist for Sri Lankan travellers.
Disclaimer
Dubai E Visa Online is operated by a licensed private travel agency and is not affiliated with GDRFA Dubai, ICP or any UAE embassy. UAE visit visas are issued by immigration through a licensed travel agency acting as sponsor. Our price includes the government fee and our service fee. Approval rests solely with UAE immigration.
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