Most UAE tourist visa applications ask for the same short list of documents. The list is simple — but the details matter, because a blurry scan or a mismatched name is the most common reason applications get delayed.
The core checklist
For most travellers, the documents are: a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, a recent passport-style photograph, a flight booking, and a hotel reservation or host details. Some nationalities are asked for a little more — we'll tell you honestly on WhatsApp before you start.
The photo
Your photo should be recent, facing the camera directly, with a plain light background. No sunglasses, no hats (except for religious reasons), and no heavy shadows. A phone photo against a white wall works fine — send it to us first and we'll check it before it's used.
The passport scan
Photograph or scan the page with your photo and details — not the cover. Make sure all four corners are visible, the text is sharp, and there's no glare. If any character is hard to read, retake it; a guessed character is worse than a slow one.
Name consistency
Use the exact name spelling from your passport everywhere — your application, your flight booking, your hotel reservation. Even a small difference (Muhammad vs Mohammed) can trigger questions. This is the single most common avoidable delay we see.
What not to send
Never send original documents unless we specifically arrange a secure collection — and we'll always explain why first. Photos or scans over WhatsApp are enough for the application process.