United Arab Emirates tourist visa for Nepali citizens
e-Visa via a UAE-based sponsor (airline, hotel, or agent) — Nepalis are not visa-exempt, and can't apply without one.
Nepali citizens need a UAE tourist visa, and unlike some nationalities, it cannot be requested directly from a government portal without a sponsor. Every UAE tourist e-Visa is filed by a UAE-based sponsor — commonly an airline (e.g. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai), a hotel you're booking with, a UAE-based travel agency, or a UAE resident/company. You don't need to fly with the sponsoring airline or stay at the sponsoring hotel — sponsorship and your actual travel plans are separate. The visa itself is issued as an e-Visa by email once approved.
Fee: Commonly cited around AED 395-450 (roughly USD 110-125) for a 30-day single-entry tourist visa via a travel agent sponsor; airline-sponsored visas may price differently. Confirm the exact fee with your chosen sponsor before paying, since this is a market rate set by sponsors, not a fixed government fee.
Processing: Typically 3-5 working days
Stay: Typically 30 or 90 days depending on which visa product you choose, single or multiple entry
Steps
Choose a sponsor — Options: book with an airline that offers visa sponsorship (many major carriers do), book a hotel that offers visa processing, or use a licensed UAE travel agency. Compare fees — they vary between sponsors.
Submit documents to the sponsor — Passport copy, a digital photo, and payment. Most sponsors handle this through a simple online form.
Wait for approval — Typically 3-5 working days for a standard tourist e-Visa.
Receive and print your e-Visa — You'll get it by email as a PDF — bring a printed or digital copy for check-in and immigration.
Documents
Valid passport with at least 6 months' validity, first and last page copies
Recent passport-style digital photo
Confirmed return or onward flight ticket
Hotel booking confirmation (sometimes requested, depending on sponsor)
Bank statement (occasionally requested, particularly for business-purpose visas or if your sponsor's agency asks for one)
Invitation letter from a UAE host/corporate event organiser, for business visas
Do I need to fly with or stay at my sponsor's business?
No — most sponsors only require you to hold the visa they issue; you can typically book your own flights and accommodation separately unless the specific sponsor's terms say otherwise.
Is there a direct government e-visa I can apply for myself, with no sponsor?
No — UAE tourist visas for Nepali citizens are issued through a licensed sponsor (an airline, hotel, or visa agent), not a self-service government portal.