visit visa charges in abu dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Tourist Visa Explained – Rule Changes in 2022

On this page, we detail everything you need to know about tourist visas for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Note that these visa rules apply no matter which Emirate you come in and out of.

We have updated this page following changes to the visa system in October 2022.

We have attempted to provide clear and accurate information; however, at the time of writing, some aspects of the new Visa system are not entirely clear during this transition period. This page will be amended as soon as more official information becomes available.

In addition to requiring a visa to enter the country as a tourist, please keep abreast of current COVID-19 requirements . As of 7 November, 2022, the Al Hosn “Green Pass” requirement was abolished .

Who needs to apply for a Tourist Visa?

Anyone not a GCC national or eligible for a visa on arrival (see list below) must apply for a visa in advance to visit the UAE.

You can apply either through your airline or UAE-registered tour operator for the appropriate visa.

• Visa services from Etihad Airways
• Visa Services offered by Emirates Airline
• Visa services from Fly Dubai
• Visa services from Air Arabia

A single entry transit visa for less than 48 hours is free, whilst of 4-day short-stay, visa costs 50AED.

A 30-day, single-entry visa costs in the region of 350 AED, depending on the service that you use to obtain it. Alternatively, a 60-day single-entry visa costs in the region of 650 AED. Both 30 and 60-day single-entry visit visas can be extended for a further 30 days for a fee of 960 AED.

Note that people under the age of 18 cannot apply for a tourist visa unless they are travelling with their parents.

Visa-Free Entry to the UAE

Citizens from  GCC Countries   do not need to apply for a visa on arrival to the UAE.

Countries eligible for Visa on Arrival

Upon landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport, simply make your way to immigration, where your visa will be issued.

These countries are currently eligible for a FREE visit visa on arrival to the UAE:

• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• People’s Republic of China
• Republic of El Salvador
• Republic of Mauritius
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Vatican City

A visit visa for most of these countries lasts for 60 days and can be renewed for another 30 days twice. If you overstay a visit visa, the fine is 200 AED for the first day and 100 AED per day after that – see more below on overstays.

There is a 10-day grace period (this means that you won’t be fined for overstaying your visa until Day 70). 

Note that the 26 countries in the Schengen Zone had previously been allowed to stay in the UAE for 90 days, although it is unclear whether this is still the case following the immigration reforms of October 2022.

Five-Year Multi-Visit Visa (New in 2022)

A five-year multi-visit visa is also available for the above countries, which allows the holder to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days in a row and up to 180 days per year.

In order to apply for this type of visa, you need to prove that you have USD 4,000 in your bank account (for at least six months prior to the visa application) and purchase UAE Health Insurance.

Citizens of India

There are specific rules applicable to Indian citizens,  which you can find here .

If you have any concerns, you should verify this information on the UAE Government website.

What happens if my tourist Visa has expired?

If your 60-day tourist visa to the UAE has expired, you have two options:

• Rules for Tourists in Abu Dhabi: Do’s And Don’ts To Keep You Out of Trouble  
• About Abu Dhabi Travel Planner
• What to Expect at Abu Dhabi International Airport AUH
• Leave the country before your 10-day grace period expires (ie, by day 69)
• Apply to Immigration and pay a fee to have your visit visa extended. It is currently understood that you are able to extend your 60-day visa by 30 days twice, giving you a maximum of 120 days in the UAE ( previously, you could keep renewing indefinitely by leaving the country and returning).

What is a Visa Run?

A Visa run is a common expression used for when you leave the country in order to re-enter and start a fresh visit visa immediately.

Most commonly, this is done on the UAE’s border with Oman as it is quite straightforward and inexpensive to cross by land, provided you have access to a car. We have a detailed guide on how the process works on our Dubai Travel Planner site . It is identical for Abu Dhabi, although there may be closer border crossing points to consider near Al Ain.

There is no need to do a visa run as visas can easily be renewed online, but it is still an option which helps combine costs with a trip to a neighbouring country.

Accidental overstays

It’s important to note if you leave the country during the first 60 days, your UAE Visa on Arrival will not renew upon re-entry. It’s a 60-day multi-entry Visa .  If you are travelling through Abu Dhabi, let’s say onward to Europe, then have a stopover in Abu Dhabi again, be very careful if that second stop sees you cross over from 60 days to 70 days.

Eg: You arrive in Abu Dhabi on 1 September, stay for a few days, and then fly on to Europe. You return to the UAE on 30 October.  You then spend two weeks in Abu Dhabi and fly out again on 12 November.

Even though you only stayed in the UAE for just over two weeks, your original 60-day visa was still valid on re-entry. You are considered to have overstayed your visit visa by 12 days as you did not leave the country, and it was not renewed during the 10-day grace period.

Road trip to Oman?

A good way to avoid this can be to include a trip to Oman with your Abu Dhabi trip!  Musandam is our favourite location for an overnight trip, although the closest crossing point from Abu Dhabi city is Al Ain; not only an amazing experience, but you can avoid any issues with overstaying your visa and receiving a fine by exiting the country between day 60 and day 69.

There are a few small costs involved, and depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for an e-visa in advance. Other than transportation, you have to pay an exit fee to the UAE, and a  tourist Visa entry fee to Oman, currently 5OR for a 10-day visit visa. 

Re-entering the UAE, there are no charges on the Omani or UAE side, just stamping of your passports.

If you are travelling in a hire car, you will need to check that your insurance covers Oman and obtain a ’no objection certificate (NOC)’.

Head back to our Abu Dhabi Essential Planning Page

NB If you are looking to work in the UAE and become a resident, different visa categories will apply.  You may still be instructed by a future employer to enter on a tourist visa; then you will be changed across to the appropriate visa category in due course.

Disclaimer: This information is correct at the time of publication in October 2022. We cannot be held liable for any omissions. Where possible, we have quoted the relevant source where you can verify the information. We are not travel agents and cannot arrange visas for you. This is a personal blog, our website terms of use can be found  here .

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Getting a visa for Abu Dhabi

An Abu Dhabi visit visa is free of charge upon arrival at  Zayed International Airport  for citizens of the following countries:

GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE.

Countries not listed

Citizens of all other countries will need to apply for an Abu Dhabi tourist visa, transit visa or visit visa prior to their trip.

Apply for a visa with airlines

If you are flying with Etihad Airways , a visit visa may be arranged for you upon request. If you have booked your trip through a travel agency, in most cases they will be able to arrange this for you.

Alternative visa application methods

Alternative methods to apply for an Abu Dhabi visit visa would be to apply through your nearest UAE embassy. An eye scan will be required at the airport. Cruise passengers can now apply for the multiple visa entry for AED 200.

For more information on visa types or how to get your visa, visit the Abu Dhabi Government website or call its contact centre on +971 2 666 4442 (800-555 from inside the UAE).

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There has never been a better time to move to Abu Dhabi with over 60 visa options available. Deciding which visa to apply for can be tricky, but understanding the requirements and your eligibility can make the process easier.

What is the Difference Between an Entry Permit and a Residence Visa?

Entry permit throughout.

An Entry Visa allows you to enter and stay in Abu Dhabi legally for a short period of time and can be granted for a number of reasons including employment, visits, tourism, medical treatment, missions and conferences. Most entry visas are valid for two months (60 days) but the duration depends on the type of Entry Visa. For example, entry visas for transit allow you to stay in the country for only four days, while entry visas for employment allow you to stay in the country for 60 days during which you must obtain a residence visa or apply for an extension.

All visas can be extended for 30 days twice without needing to leave and re-enter the country for renewal. If you fail to extend your entry visa and overstay, you will have to pay a fine of AED 100 per day, which is calculated from 10 days after the expiration date of the visa. The rules for extension do not apply to certain groups including: visitors and tourists who are residents in GCC countries; residents accompanying GCC nationals; those on special entry permits; and those on 96-hour permits for special missions.

• Residence Visa

A Residence Visa is issued to people who are already in the country after entering the UAE on an Entry or Tourist Visa. It allows you to live and work in Abu Dhabi and can last from one to three years depending on the sponsor. Long term residence visas are available for five or 10 years subject to certain conditions.

Do You Need a Visa to Enter the UAE?

Yes. Coming to Abu Dhabi requires obtaining an entry visa , which allows you to enter and stay in the emirate legally for a short period of time. Conditions for obtaining an Entry Visa differ based on nationality, the purpose of the visit and the duration of stay. Before you apply for an entry visa, check if you are eligible for visa-free entry or can receive a visa on arrival.

Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC)

Visa on arrival, pre-arranged entry visa, sponsorship, valid documents, no restrictions.

Citizens of GCC countries do not require an Entry Visa or to be sponsored by a UAE national or resident in order to enter the UAE. They simply need to provide their passport or national ID issued by a GCC country at the point of entry. The validity of entry permits for GCC residents is 30 days.

Citizens of these countries are not required to apply for an Entry Visa prior to arrival. Instead, an entry visa is issued automatically upon arrival and it is valid for 30 days with a 10-day period for extension.

The list is subject to change; therefore it is advisable to check with the UAE embassy abroad or the airline before travelling to Abu Dhabi.

Anyone who does not have the privilege of visa-free entry or visa on arrival must apply for an entry visa ahead of travel.

You need a sponsor to apply for your entry permit. The sponsor can be:

• Tourism establishments
• Companies based in Abu Dhabi
• Individuals (UAE national or an expatriate who is already living in the country with a valid residence visa)

You must have a valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of entry.

You must not have been previously deported or banned from entering the UAE. A visa ban prohibits a person from entering the country or taking up a new job. If either of these conditions apply, you must obtain special permission to re-enter the UAE. Apply for an entry visa

How Much Does a Visa Cost?

Overstaying your visa, overstaying a tourist or visit visa, overstaying a residence visa, modifying visa status.

Visa fees vary by type and usually take three to four business days to process. Urgent processing can be requested for an additional fee of AED 100. Visit smartservices.icp.gov.ae

Visas are granted with a start and end date. Visa holders who stay beyond the expiration date of their visas and fail to obtain an extension are subject to financial penalties.

Tourist Visa and Visit Visa holders have a 10 day grace period to obtain an extension. If a tourist or visitor stays beyond the grace period, fines will accrue as follows:

Residents have a 30 day grace period to get a new Residence Visa or leave the country. If a resident stays beyond the grace period, fines will accrue as follows:

Holders of all visa types can modify their visa and transfer it into a Residence Visa while staying in the country. Applicants must meet the requirements for a residence visa, pay a fee of AED 500 in lieu of leaving and complete the process before the entry visa expires to avoid penalty.

Types of Visas

• Tourist Visa
• Golden Visa
• Non-Working Visa

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What are the process for Tourist Visa ?

There are four types of tourist visa:

Type 1: For short-term tourist visa single entry, which is 30 days from the date of entry and not extendable, the Fees will be 250 AED.

Type 2: For short-term tourist visa multiple entries, which is 30 days from the date of entry and not extendable, the Fees will be 690 AED.

Type 3: For a long-term tourist visa, single entry, which is 90 days from the date of entry and not extendable, The Fees will be 600 AED.

Type 4: For long-term tourist visa multiple entries, which is 90 days from the date of entry and not extendable, the Fees will be 1740 AED.

Please note that the overstaying fines are 100 AED per day plus 200 AED for an out pass.

In case the overstaying is less than 30 days, you can pay either at DUBAI airports while exiting the country or at GDRFA-D HQ. in case if it is more than 30 days, you can pay only at GDRFA-D HQ.

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UAE Visa information

Visa processing should take three to four days. All visa fees and charges are non-refundable.

Do I need a visa to visit the UAE?

If you’re planning to visit the UAE, you may be required to apply for a visa, even if you’re just transiting through Abu Dhabi. Explore the country we call home for up to 96 hours with a UAE Transit Visa or stay for up to 60 days with a UAE Tourist Visa. You can apply for your UAE visa quickly and easily online.

If you are from any of the countries or regions listed below, you do not need to apply for a visa before you travel to the UAE. When you land in Abu Dhabi, simply make your way to immigration to receive a visa when you arrive.

• Czech Republic
• Herzegovina
• Hong Kong (SAR of China)
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• People’s Republic of China
• Republic of El Salvador
• Republic of Kosovo
• Republic of Mauritius
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• The Vatican
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

What type of visa do I need?

The visa you need will depend on the length of your trip. All fees are shown in UAE Dirhams (AED) and are non-refundable. It takes approximately three to four days to process a UAE visa, subject to immigration approval.

Transit Visa Single Entry

For passengers transiting through Zayed International Airport for a period of between eight hours and four calendar days and travelling onward to a third destination.

Validity of entry: 14 days

Duration: 4 days

Number of entries: Single entry

Visa fee: AED 216

48-Hour Transit Visa Single Entry

For passengers transiting through Zayed International Airport for a period of between eight to 48 hours and travelling onward to a third destination.

Validity of entry: 30 days

Duration: 48 hours

Visa fee: AED 55

Tourist Visa Single Entry

Apply for a Tourist Visa before you travel. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of six months. This visa may be extended twice for 30 days, for AED 960 per extension. Guests below the age of 18 travelling alone are only eligible to apply for this type of visa when travelling with their parents holding the same visa type.

Validity of entry: 60 days

Duration:  30 days

Visa fee: AED 510

Tourist Visa

Multiple entry.

The Short-Term Multiple Entry Visa may be extended twice for 30 days each time, for AED 960 per extension. Guests below the age of 18 who are travelling alone are only eligible to apply for this type of visa when travelling with their parents holding the same visa type.

Duration: 30 days (starting from the date of first entry)

Number of entries: Multiple entry (within 30 days from the date of first entry)

Visa fee: AED 610

Long Term Tourist Visa Single Entry

The Long Term Tourist Visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 60 days in the UAE. Guests below the age of 18 who are travelling alone are only eligible to apply for this type of visa when travelling with their parents holding the same visa type.

Duration: 60 days

Visa fee: AED 830

Long Term Visit Visa

The Long Term Visit Visa - Multiple Entry is valid for 60 days. You may apply if you intend to stay longer and travel multiple times to the UAE. Guests below the age of 18 who are travelling alone are only eligible to apply for this type of visa when travelling with their parents holding the same visa type.

Duration: 60 days (starting from the date of first entry)

Number of entries: Multiple entry (within 60 days from the date of first entry)

Visa fee: AED 1560

How to apply for a UAE visa

You can complete your UAE visa application quickly and easily online. Please submit a separate application form for each person travelling. Please note that extended passports are not accepted by UAE immigration for visa applications.

Here’s everything you need to know about applying for a Tourist Visa (short, long, single entry or multiple entry).

Mandatory requirements

• Completed application form
• 6x6cm photograph in colour (minimum of 600x600 pixels) with a white background (at least 80% of your face should be visible)
• Colour copy of your passport showing your full name, nationality, date and place of birth, passport number, date of issue and expiry, name of father / legal guardian, and the name of your mother
• Valid passport with at least six months validity at the time of travel
• Confirmed ticket travelling into UAE and onwards from UAE

In addition to the mandatory requirements listed above, you must also submit a birth certificate for your child, in English or Arabic. Translated documents should be attested on the front page.

Dependents are defined as a spouse, children below the age of 18 and parents above the age of 60. You must submit supporting documents that prove the status of the relationship, for example, marriage certificate or birth certificate.

Minors (under 18 years old) 

For minors, including married females under the age of 18: 

• Photo ID of parents or husband is required
• Copy of one of the parents’ tourist visa sponsored by Etihad Airways.
• Etihad Airways reserves the rights for sponsorship
• Etihad Airways will not sponsor unaccompanied minors and students
• Females under the age of 18 or students must travel with their parents
• Only machine-readable passports will be accepted (handwritten passports will not be accepted)

Submitting your visa application

Documents must be submitted in JPEG format only and must not exceed 1 MB.

Additional documents

Depending on your nationality, you may be requested to provide additional documents in support of their visa application. If these documents cannot be provided, the visa application may be rejected. The visa fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.

Here’s everything you need to know about applying for a Transit Visa. A Transit Visa is applicable if you are transiting through Abu Dhabi International Airport for a period between eight hours and four calendar days.

• Confirmed ticket travelling into Zayed International Airport and onwards from Abu Dhabi to a third destination

Minors (under 18 years old)

For minors, including married females under the age of 18:

Submitting your visa application

Here’s everything you need to know about applying for a 48-Hour Transit Visa. A 48-Hour Transit Visa is applicable if you are transiting through Abu Dhabi International Airport for a period between eight hours and 48 hours.

Can I complete my UAE visa application online?

It is easy and convenient to apply for your visa online. Simply provide the required information, documents and pay the visa fee online without having to send documents by email or visiting the office in person. Once your visa application is approved, you will receive an approved e-Visa copy via email.

How far in advance should I apply for a UAE visa?

It usually takes 3 to 4 days to process your visa application subject to immigration approval. In the UAE, our working days are Monday - Friday inclusive. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are not included, so please be aware that your visa application will take longer if you apply on one of these days. It is advisable to apply for your visa in advance.

Can I apply for a Single or a Multiple Entry Visa?

You can apply for both Single and Multiple Entry Visas.

Do the visa fees include all charges?

There may be additional credit and debit card fees for online applications.

Is it mandatory to travel with Etihad Airways or can I travel with any airline?

No. You do not have to travel with Etihad Airways to apply for one of these visas. They apply to all airlines and all airports in the UAE.

Is it mandatory to travel through Zayed Airport on a Transit Visa?

Yes. You can apply for a Transit Visa ONLY if you are travelling into Zayed International Airport and onwards from Zayed International Airport. However, your ticket does not have to be issued by Etihad Airways.

Can I extend a Tourist Visa?

Yes. Tourist Visas can be extended twice for 30 days each time, after you have entered the UAE. The cost of extension is AED 1120 and you can complete your request online.

When will my visa be valid for entry?

Your visa is valid for entry from the issue date.

Can I leave Zayed Airport with a Transit Visa?

Yes, you can. If your transit time is more than 24 hours, you must either arrange a confirmed hotel reservation or provide the Emirates ID card and UAE Residence visa copy of the person you will be staying with in the UAE.

Why has my visa application been rejected?

The UAE immigration authorities do not reveal their reasons for the refusal of a visa.

What are the consequences if I extend my stay in the UAE without extending my visa?

You may face legal action and be required to pay a fine. You may also not be able to apply for a UAE visa in the future.

I have a Diplomatic / Service / Emergency passport. Can I apply for a visa through Etihad Airways?

No. If you hold a Diplomatic passport, you must apply for a visa through the diplomatic channel. If you hold a Service passport or Emergency travel documents, please visit the UAE Embassy in your country of residence to apply for a UAE visa before you travel.

Am I guaranteed entry into the UAE if I successfully obtain a visa?

Your entry into the UAE is subject to the verification of your documents at the point of entry.

My passport is expiring soon – can I still get a visa?

The UAE Immigration department requires all visitors to have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. If your passport is valid for less than six months, you will need to renew it before you can apply for a visa and travel to the UAE.

Who sponsors my visa when I apply through the Etihad Airways website?

Etihad Airways sponsors your visa if you apply for one of the specified types, through our website.

More help with UAE visas

When you travel with Etihad Airways, you are our Guest. This document uses the reference "Guests" by which we define "passengers".

• Etihad Airways provides this facility for Etihad Airways, Partner Airlines and any other Airline Guests. Etihad Airways do hereby declare that they have no role whatsoever in the assessment of a visa application, which is the sole prerogative of the Government of UAE / Immigration Department. Therefore, Etihad Airways will not in any manner be liable or responsible for any delay in the processing or rejection of any visa applications.
• This facility is open for Guests visiting the UAE travelling on Etihad Airways and Partner Airlines, and also to Guests with valid tickets issued by any Airlines and fulfilling the eligibility conditions announced from time to time by the UAE Authorities.
• Issuance and approval of a visa is solely regulated by the Government of the UAE and governed by their rules and regulations. These may be amended from time to time. Etihad Airways will sponsor the Guest application subject to Guest fulfilling the eligibility conditions.
• Visa fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.
• Guests who request a Transit Visa sponsored by Etihad Airways should hold a valid ticket to travel into Abu Dhabi Airport, and onwards from Abu Dhabi Airport. This ticket can be issued by any airline.
• Guests who request any type of Tourist Visa sponsored by Etihad Airways should hold a valid ticket to travel into any airport in the UAE, and onwards from any of the airports in the UAE.
• Etihad Airways will not be responsible for - and will not be liable for - Guests not being allowed to travel due to being denied boarding, offloading, cancellation of flight, delays and any other cause or circumstances beyond Etihad Airways' control. Etihad Airways shall not be liable in the case of any change in the date of travel not being communicated to us.
• The Guest will be required to fill in a Visa Application Form accurately and submit it, along with the applicable visa fees, valid passport and necessary documentation as specified in the Visa Application Form. Guests must hold valid travel documents and comply with the requirements of the Government of UAE / Immigration Authorities.
• The decision to grant or refuse a visa is the sole prerogative of the Immigration Authorities and it is final. In case of rejection of visa application, the applicant will be informed of such, no correspondence will be entertained, no visa fees will be refunded and no reasons will be required to be given. It is understood that whenever the processing of the visa application is prevented, delayed, restricted or interfered with for any reasons whatsoever by UAE Immigration Authorities to process Guest visa application, then Etihad Airways shall not be liable to any Guest for any loss or damage which may be suffered as result of such causes and Etihad Airways shall be discharged of all its obligations hereunder.
• Issuance of a visa or approval of the visa application does not in any way guarantee the Guest the right to enter UAE. The entry is at the sole discretion of the Immigration officer at the Airport. In case of denial of visa or entry into UAE by the Government, Etihad Airways shall in no way be liable to Guest in any manner whatsoever.
• Etihad Airways shall not be liable for any losses or damages which the Guest may suffer, arising from delay in processing or receiving the visa.
• The visa is valid as per the Government of UAE / Issuing Authorities' rules and regulations, as amended from time to time. The visa must be used within its period of validity.
• Etihad Airways will not be liable to a Guest for any changes or cancellations to Government Regulations that may result in a Guest not being able to travel to or enter the UAE.
• Guests will be solely responsible to ensure they fulfil UAE Government requirements for travel, which may include police clearances, medical insurance etc.
• Etihad Airways shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that information provided by the Guest in its application form shall remain confidential. However Etihad Airways shall not be liable for any unauthorised access by any means to that information.
• Etihad Airways reserves the right to add, alter or vary these Terms and Conditions at any time without notice or liability, and all Guests availing themselves of this facility shall be bound by the same.
• Guest expressly declares that they have read and understand these Terms & Conditions and that they are in compliance thereof.
• The processed visa will be sent to Guest by email with JPEG or PDF format in attached files.
• Guest is responsible for ensuring the information you have provided, including your email address, is accurate.
• After receiving visa, Guest must print visa for boarding.
• Guests are requested to check their visa is correct, and bring any discrepancy to our notice immediately.
• Guest are advised to carefully go through the “Note” printed on your visa for “validity of permit” and “duration of stay”.
• 96 hr /14 day visas are valid only for a period of 14 days from the date of issue. Guests are required to enter Abu Dhabi before visa expires.
• Only machine-readable passports will be accepted. Handwritten passports will not be accepted.
• Etihad Airways hereby declares that the applicant data collected by us will be used for the intended purpose only, and it will not be shared with any unauthorized person.
• Etihad Airways will not be liable for any damages occurred due to discrepancies in visas if Guest does not revert back to us within 24 hours of receiving the visa.

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Abu Dhabi visit visa price for 1 month and 3 months

Abu Dhabi city boasts magnificent architecture and hosts important events. You can apply for an Abu Dhabi visit visa if you want to come to Abu Dhabi for a visit or to bring your family members to Abu Dhabi.

Let’s talk about Abu Dhabi visit visa price and 1 month visit visa Abu Dhabi price in general.

Table of Contents

Abu Dhabi visit visa price

You may or may not need a visa to enter Abu Dhabi, depending on your nationality.

• The UAE does not require a visa for nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Free of Charge visa

An entry visa is free of charge upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport for citizens of the following countries:

• Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium,
• Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
• Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras,
• Hong Kong (SAR of China), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
• Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia,
• Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand
• Norway, Oman, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Republic of Mauritius,
• Republic of El Salvador, Portugal, Romania, Russian,
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles,
• Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
• The Vatican, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay.

Abu Dhabi visit visa price:

If you are a citizen of another country, you must apply for a visa at the UAE embassy closest to you. Your airline may be able to assist you in some instances. Plus, at the airport, an eye scan will be necessary.

The cost of a visit visa is the same across the UAE. The costs of obtaining an Abu Dhabi visit visa are listed below:

1 month visit visa Abu Dhabi price

For a Short period Only (30 Days):

For Single Entry, you will be charged AED 370.

AED 650 is required for Multiple Entry.

“There are AED 100 additional fees for the typing charge/deposit.”

3 month visit visa Abu Dhabi price

Visit for an Extended Period of Time (90 Days)

AED 700 is required for a single entry.

Multiple Entry requires a fee of AED 1750.

Requirement for 30 days visit visa to Abu Dhabi

• A valid passport is necessary, as well as a copy of the passport’s first and last pages.
• A passport that is valid for at least three months is required.
• On a white background, a photograph of a colored passport.
• It has been confirmed that a return flight ticket would be purchased (After visa approval).
• Hotel booking documents are necessary if there is no guarantor (After visa approval).
• A copy of the guarantor’s passport and proof of residency are required if there is one.
• It’s crucial to double-check that none of the needed or supporting documents are illegible, as this could lead to the visa being withdrawn.
• Applications must be received at least two months prior to the flight and can be completed online.

If You have overstayed your visit visa, you will be fined for:

Tourists and visitors with visit visas get a 10-day grace period. A tourist or visitor who remains longer than the grace period will be punished.

The first day of an overstay, you will be charged at AED 200.

for each subsequent day you will fined for AED100

Plus, you will be asked to pay AED 100 as service fees.

Conditions and Procedures for Obtaining a Visit Visa to Abu Dhabi

• Visa fees must be paid in full at the time of application.
• Additional visa processing fees apply.
• Visa fees are non-refundable.
• The ticket is nonrefundable if the visa has been issued and utilized.
• A visa takes around 3 to 4 business days to process.
• If the visa service is required urgently, there is an extra price of AED 100.

Do not worry about Abu Dhabi visit visa price and 1 month visit visa Abu Dhabi price anymore. You can get all the information in our articles.

• How to check visa fine in UAE
• UAE visit visa fees for 3 months
• How to check visa cancellation status in UAE online
• UAE visa ban countries list
• Overstay fine in UAE for cancelled visa
• UAE residence visa renewal fees

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UAE overstaying fees reduces for visitors, increases for residents

• Environment

Fees cut for obtaining work visas too

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has cut overstaying fees by half with tourist and visit visa holders overstaying in the country having to pay Dh50 a day, instead of Dh100.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has standardised the overstaying fines in the country. According to the new rules introduced as part the sweeping visa reforms announced last month, overstaying fees have been reduced and standardised at Dh50. Also, those overstaying on a residency visa will have to pay a double fine for each day (Dh50 per day instead of Dh25).

Typing offices across the UAE have confirmed the new changes and said they have identified three major amendments in the updated visa system approved by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security.

According to Tas’heel offices, the Federal Authority for Identity and Nationality, Customs, and Port Security began implementing a mechanism standardising the overstaying fees for tourist and visit visa violators.

Typing offices also confirmed that there is a Dh50 reduction in the fees for obtaining a new work visa, from Dh304 to Dh254.

Previously, the penalty was calculated depending on the kind of visa that had expired, but the new system unified the amount of overstay fines to Dh50 per day for any type of visa violator.

According to information received by the typing centres, overstay fines can be paid either by visiting customer happiness centres or online through the authority’s website and smart application.

They clarified that extra days spent while requesting documents or updating information will be included in the overstay period. If an application to renew the visa is started but the correct documents are not uploaded within 30 days, or the wrong documents are uploaded more than three times, the application gets automatically cancelled and a new one must be filed.

Under the new visa scheme, residency visa holders have a six-month grace period to either leave the country or change their status once the permit has either been cancelled or expired. After six months, it is illegal to stay in the UAE, and an arrest can be made.

For expired visit visas, offenders can be arrested after 30 days without a visa renewal where inspection campaigns are regularly carried out to catch offenders.

On October 3, 2022:

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security introduced new rules and procedures as part of the New Visa Scheme for the UAE, coinciding with the official launch of the system.

Holidaymakers can stay for 60 days at a time

The new UAE visa rules that came into effect on October 3 allow holidaymakers to stay for 60 days at a time.

The decision to make all entry visas valid for 60 days from the date of issue ― - double the previous allowance -― is one of a series of visa changes that were approved by the Cabinet in April 2022.

Previously, there were no specific visas for tourists and those wishing to visit the UAE applied for 30-day, 60-day or 90-day visit visas.

The one, two and three-month entry permits are still available on a new visa, but mainly for people wishing to visit friends or relatives in the country, which requires documentary evidence proving the relationship and reasons for the visit.

All entry visas are available for single or multiple entry and can be renewed for a further 60 days.

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Home / Overstay fine in UAE

Overstay fine in UAE - 2024 detailed guide

Updated june 14 th , 2023.

This advisory guide covers all the necessary information about overstay fine in UAE to help those who overstaying in tourist visa or cancelled residence visa during 2024.

Table Of Contents

• 2. Over staying fine for visitors
• 3. Overstaying fine for residents
• 4. Where to pay the fine
• 5. How to avoid paying fines
• 6. Fines during Corona-virus
• 7. Modifying visa status
• 8. Is it criminal?
• 9. Overstaying affect my re-entry?

What are overstay fines in UAE & how much is it?

Any visitor overstaying on a pre-paid or on-arrival UAE visit visa will be charged a fine of 50 AED. The overstaying penalty in the UAE has been standardized by the UAE ICP from October 14, 2022. The new regulations set the daily charge for overstaying a visit, tourist, or residency visa at AED 50. Over stayers on resident visas will now be charged AED 50 per day rather than the previous AED 25.

Over staying fine for visitors – Explained

• A. 30 days on arrival
• B. 90 days on arrival
• C. Prepaid visa holders
• D. Indian passport holders with USA Visa, EU Residency visa & UK Residency visa
• E. Mexican passport 180 days on arrival
• F. Brazil 90 days on arrival

Important Note

Individuals staying in UAE with a 30 days on arrival visa are the only ones who having a grace period of 10 days.While prepaid visa holders and others having zero days grace period. If you overstay after your grace period is over or visa validity period over, you will have to pay a fine of 50 AED for the first day of overstaying and 50 AED per day from the second day onwards. Additionally, at the time of exiting UAE you will have to pay for a exit permit of 250-350 AED. If you extend your stay via immigration or a tourism company you will be charged 50 AED per day as overstaying fine.

A 30 days on arrival

If you are a passport holder of the countries mentioned below then you don't require a prepaid visa as you will be eligible for a 30 day visa that will be stamped on arrival at the UAE port of entry (airport, land border or seaport). All you have to do is disembark your flight at Dubai International Airport and head to immigration where your 30 day on arrival visa will be stamped on your passport free of charge.

B 90 days on arrival

If you hold a passport from any of the countries or territories mentioned below, your passport will be stamped with a 90 day multiple entry visa upon arrival at any of UAE's ports of entry. This multiple entry visit visa is valid for a total of 6 months from the date of issue and permits the holder for a stay totaling to 90 days within that time span.

Citizens from European countries mentioned in the above list don't get a grace period. If the individual overstays beyond grace period he will be charged a fine of 50 AED for the first day of overstaying and 50 AED per day from the second day onwards. Additionally, at the time of exiting UAE you will have to pay for a exit permit of 250-350 AED. If you have extended your stay by opting for an inside country visa without exit you will be charged 50 AED per day of overstaying. And above nationals are eligible for a pre-paid visa extension after the 90-day visa on arrival has been used as it’s valid for 6 months.

C Prepaid visa holders

If you hold a passport from Asian, African or other developing countries in the world you need to apply for a entry visa before entering UAE. You can apply for a single entry UAE visit visa or a multiple entry UAE visit visa via an airline or local tour companies.

All prepaid visa holders (single entry or multiple entry - 30 days, 60 days and 90 days) have zero grace period. Overstaying beyond this grace period will incur a fine of 50 AED for the first day of overstaying and 50 AED per day from the second day onwards. Additionally, at the time of exiting UAE you will have to pay for a exit permit of 250-350 AED. If you take a visa extension via your current sponsor or a new tour company you will be fined 50 AED per day of overstaying.

D Indian passport holders with USA Visa or USA Green card holder, EU Residency visa & UK Residency visa

Indian passport holders holding a USA green card or having USA visa, EU residency visa or UK residency visa are eligible for a UAE visa on arrival that is valid for 14 days. It is extendable once for a period of 14 days. The fee for this on-arrival permit is 100 AED and renewal fee is 250 AED and 20 AED service charge.

On the first entry you are eligible for a 10 day grace period after your 14 day stay is completed. You can extend one more time after which you can't extend anymore you have to exit UAE. Another option is to contact a tourism company for a visa change without exit. If the individual overstays beyond the grave period he will be fined 50 AED for the first day and 50 AED per day from the second day onwards. Additionally, at the time of exiting UAE you will have to pay for a exit permit of 250-350 AED.

E Mexican passport 180 days on arrival

If you are a Mexican passport holder you are eligible for a 180 day multiple entry visit visa that is valid for a total of 6 months from the date of issue. This allows you to stay for a total of 180 days in the UAE.

No 10 day grace period is given for Mexican citizens who overstay. Overstay fines are 50 AED for the first day and 50 AED for each day from the second day onwards. Additionally, at the time of exiting UAE you will have to pay for a exit permit of 250-350 AED. If an inside country visa without exit is used to extend the stay then 50 AED will be charged per day of overstaying.

F Brazil passport 90 days on arrival

If you are a Brazil passport holder you get free 90 days on arrival visa that is valid for 365 days where as 90 total days can be used with in an year

No 10 days grace period given for Brazil nationals & Overstay fines are 50 AED for the first day and 50 AED for each day from the second day onwards. Additionally, at the time of exiting UAE you will have to pay for a exit permit of 250-350 AED.

Overstaying fine for residents – Explained

If you are a UAE resident after your residence visa gets expired, you have a 30 day grace period to change your status, apply for a new residence visa or exit the country. There won't be any fines charged during the grace period. If the individual overstays after the grace period, a fine of 50 AED will be charged for the first day and 50 AED for every day from the second day onwards. Additionally, 50 AED will be charged per day after six months of overstaying and 50 AED per day after one year of overstaying. If your new employer is taking a long time to process your residence visa you can apply for a tourist visa with or without exit and get a status change. For more details check our UAE tourist visa extension option for a better idea.

Where to pay the fine

You can settle your overstaying fines at any of the entry ports (airport, land border, sea ports), immigration offices, Amer offices and typing centres. If you are opting for an extension, the tourism company will make the payment for you.

Most UAE residents and visitors are settling their overstaying fines while exiting UAE through the airports, Ports and land borders in any of the 7 Emirates. Every point of entry is equipped with well-trained immigration officers and systemized processes to collect the overstaying fines and help make your exit a hassle-free process.

If you feel like settling any overstaying dues before you leave to make the exit process less time consuming, feel free to make the payments in any of the local immigration offices, Amer offices or typing centres.

30 day or 90 day on arrival visa holders, prepaid visa holders or Mexicans are eligible to extend their stay via a local tourism firm. While extending their stay, they can settle any overstaying fines of the previous visa.After reforms, also visit visa holders who are extending their stay need to make a payment of 50 AED per day of overstay and residence visa holders need to pay 50 AED per day and additional 50-100 AED will be service charge.

How to avoid paying fines

Make sure to adhere to these tips and you won't have to pay any overstaying fines.

• 1. Plan your return trip beforehand. This trick will save you lots of money as you won’t need to pay any overstay fines. Use Visa days calculator to count your days of stay accurately.
• 2. Make use of the Days Calculator Days Between Two Dates and tick the ‘Include end date in calculation’ box. 1 day will be added as UAE immigration counts your date of entry into the country too
• 3. Use the UAE Immigration’s file validity checking systems to confirm your last day of stay after you have entered the country.
• 4. Request your visa provider to send you screenshots from the immigration system to confirm your last day of stay in UAE.
• 5. Get to know your visa type and read the Type of visas in UAE for a better understanding of grace periods and their availability.
• 6. Avoid any travels on the last day of your grace period as delays in flights can postpone your stay resulting in fines being charged. Always travel a minimum of 2 days before your last day of grace period.

Fines During Corona-virus

Any UAE visit visa holders waiting for an announcement for a stay extension for the individuals unable to leave UAE due to airport closures and flight cancellations there won't be any overstaying fines charged. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship had made a statement on March 23, 2020 that such individuals will be able to extend their stay in the country until situations improve. Source : Khaleej Time

Modifying visa status – Status change

Under the Ministerial Resolution No. 377 of 2014 , visa holders of all types can modify the status of their entry while staying in the country if they wish to get a residency visa. A payment of 550 to 650 AED and compliance to certain requirements and conditions have to be met for successfully modifying visa status into residency visa. However, the applicant must ensure to perform this step before his current visa expires to avoid any fines being charged.

Is it criminal?

In UK, overstaying without a valid reason is a criminal offence under section 24 of the Immigration Act 1971 . In UAE, there is no law that says overstaying a visitor's visa or expired residence visa is a criminal offence. Most of the visit visa holders and cancelled residence visa holders overstay due to reasons like flight cancellations (Now due to corona), delays in processing new visa or employment visa. In most cases the average period of overstaying is between 5 to 15 days. In certain cases, Asian visitors have been scammed into believing that their visit visa is an employment visa resulting in them overstaying for many months. In such an instance, it is regarded as a criminal offence and the individual will be deported upon getting caught. As UAE practices many humanitarian acts, once every one or two years, The UAE visa amnesty requests all individuals who are overstaying to exit the country and waive off their overstaying fines.

Source : UAE visa amnesty: Millions in fines waived off, 88% response rate UAE authorities waive Dh500k in fines to help worker return home 31-year fine worth Dh1.08 million waived for illegal UAE resident

Overstaying affect my re-entry?

We have heard news that overstaying for more than 1 to 2 months could affect any prospective employment opportunities. There are no laws confirmed about how overstaying will affect a visitor’s or resident’s next re-entry. In our experience some individuals who had overstayed and re applied for a new visa were approved while some were rejected. This decision is solely reliant on the Immigration departments’ security team.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i reduce any overstay fines in dubai.

Some applicants are excused due to medical reasons and global issues. Contact the nearest Amer service center or Immigration and apply for a fine reduction by filling in the application.

Can I settle the overstaying fines at immigration and then exit UAE?

Yes, you can do this through any of the 7 emirates’ airports or land borders.

Is there a UAE visa overstay fine calculator?

Yes, you can check Arabiers Visa days calculator which is very similar to the overstay fine calculator.

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Preclearance

Learn About Preclearance

Sites and contact information, preclearance expansion.

Preclearance operates at 15 locations worldwide

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance is the strategic stationing of CBP personnel at designated foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights. With Preclearance, travelers then bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections upon U.S. arrival and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination.

Today, CBP has more than 600 officers and agriculture specialists stationed at 15 Preclearance locations in 6 countries: Dublin and Shannon in Ireland; Aruba; Bermuda; Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; Nassau in the Bahamas; and Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg in Canada.

In 2019, CBP personnel stationed abroad precleared 22 million travelers, representing over 16 percent of all commercial air travelers to the United States.

Preclearance Videos

History of preclearance, media assets.

Transcript: https://www.cbp.gov/video/opa/ preclearance/preclearance-history.srt  

Preclearance Benefits

Transcript: https://www.cbp.gov/video/opa/ preclearance/benefits.srt  

Preclearance Experience

Transcript: https://www.cbp.gov/video/opa/ preclearance/preclearance-curb-to-curb.srt  

The History of Preclearance

The preclearance experience, the benefits of preclearance.

In operation since 1952, Preclearance has proven benefits for all major stakeholders in the air travel industry. Click below to learn about the specific benefits for each group.

Traveler Benefits

• No Security or Waiting Upon U.S. Arrival - Skip CBP and TSA inspection lines upon arrival in the U.S and proceed directly to a connecting flight or final destination.
• Easier Domestic Connections - Accept tighter connection windows at U.S. airports and be less likely to miss a domestic connection.

Airline Benefits

• Cost Savings - Access less expensive U.S. domestic gates and more flexible arrival times at airports in the U.S.
• Increase U.S. Market Access - Establish new routes to desirable U.S. destinations that meet growing traveler demand.

Airport Benefits

• New U.S. Destinations - Enable new direct routes to 160+ U.S. airports regardless of whether they have a CBP port of entry. Gain an advantage over competitors for the U.S.-bound traveler market.
• Terminal of the Future - Bring innovative technologies like facial recognition biometrics that expedite passenger processing, and help meet the demand of rising passenger volume to the U.S.

Government Benefits

• Enhance Security – Bolster the safety and security of all travelers while facilitating efficient trade and travel.
• Greater Collaboration - Increase collaboration and coordination between the U.S. and host governments through daily interaction with local law enforcement partners and other government authorities.

Preclearance Sites and Contact Information

Preclearance field operations.

22001 Loudoun County Parkway Mail Stop 1330 Ashburn, VA 20598-1330

Questions & Customer Service

For general CBP inquiries, please call the CBP INFO Center Monday-Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time. General Inquiries: 1-877-CBP(227)-5511 International Callers: (202) 325-8000 TDD: https://www.fcc.gov/trs/

Preclearance Site Locations

Click below to find contact information for any of the 15 Preclearance sites worldwide.

Please use your International Direct Dialing Number in place of the '+' for the country you are calling from. For example, if you are calling from the U.S., use 011; France, use 00; Australia, 0011.

United Arab Emirates

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Transit visa

The UAE issues two types of transit visas: one for 48 hours, and another for 96 hours. Transit visas are sponsored by the UAE-based airlines and must be processed and approved before entering the UAE

Related eServices

Who needs a transit visa, who can apply for your transit visa, duration of transit visa, important note.

• Transit visa from Etihad Airways  - Etihad Airways
• Transit visa from Emirates Airline  - Emirates Airline

If you are not one of the nationalities that are eligible for visa on arrival  or a  visa-free entry  to the UAE, then you need a transit visa.

Only the UAE based-airlines you are travelling through can arrange your transit visa prior to your journey. If your trip is through a travel agency, the agency can also help you get the visa, but all visas are routed through the airline. Airline agents can apply online for transit visas through one of the following means:

• the  eChannels  portal
• the UAEICP app for  Apple  and  Android
• online channels offered by the relevant General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in each emirate.

Transit visa is issued either for 48 hours or for 96 hours. Please note that once a 48 hours visa is issued, it cannot be extended to 96 hours.

Transit visas for 48 hours

Transit visas for 48 hours are issued free of charge to passengers transiting through the UAE’s airports. You need to apply for the visa in advance through a UAE-based airline. This visa is not extendable, nor renewable. The validity of the visa is 48 hours from entry into the UAE, and you must leave the UAE within 48 hours from arrival.

To get a transit visa, you must have:

• a passport or travel document with a minimum validity of three months
• a photo of self against a white background
• an onward ticket booking to a 3rd destination, other than the one you are coming from.

Transit visas for 96 hours

Transit visas for 96 hours are issued against a fee of AED 50 to passengers transiting through the UAE’s airports. You need to apply for the visa in advance through a UAE-based airline. This visa is not extendable, nor renewable. The validity of the visa is 96 hours from entry into the UAE, and you must leave the UAE within 96 hours from arrival.

• a passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months

No fees or additional amounts can be imposed by any federal, local or private entity. A departure fee of AED 30 is levied on each passenger passing through the UAE’s airports.

Useful links:

• Travel guide - Zayed International Airport
• Check the requirements for your UAE visa  - Etihad Airways
• How to apply for your UAE visa  - Emirates Airline

Learn more about  visas in the UAE .

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With regards to visa inquiries, you can contact “Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information” or “the Japan Visa Information Hotline” listed on the website of the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan. Due to the complex nature of visa requirements, we are UNABLE to respond to visa-related inquiries made through this website at the moment. We advise you to contact the Consular Section of the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan nearest you for more information and advice.

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• Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the Federative Republic of Brazil in Possession of Ordinary Passports(September 30, 2023)
• Signing of the Japan-Israel Working Holiday Agreement (April 28, 2023)
• Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the State of Qatar based on Ordinary Passport Registration System (April 2, 2023)
• Visa Waiver Measure for Nationals of the United Arab Emirates in Possession of Ordinary Passports (November 1, 2022)
• Japan’s Pre-Entry Tuberculosis Screening (April 3, 2020)
• Japan's Visa Policy in Accordance with Measures to Combat Trafficking in Persons (February 2009)

6. Inquiries about Visas Application

Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information

Yotsuya Tower 13F, 1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0004 Navi-Dial: 0570-011000 (For some IP phones and calls from overseas, please call +81-3-5369-6577) Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00

Related Links

• Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions

• Best Overall
• Best for No-Annual-Fee

Best for Independent Hotel Purchases

• Best for Beginners
• Best for Everyday Spending
• Best for Students
• Best Premium Travel Card for Affordability
• Best for Dining and Groceries
• Best for Travel Insurance
• Best for Luxury Travel Benefits
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Travel Credit Cards of June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card, Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

• Best overall travel credit card : Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best travel credit card for beginners : Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best no-annual-fee travel credit card : Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card ( rates and fees )
• Best for spending at hotels : Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card
• Best for travel rewards on everyday spending : Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Best travel card for students : Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
• Most affordable premium travel credit card : Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Best travel credit card for earning travel credit on dining and groceries : American Express® Gold Card
• Best premium card for travel bonus categories : Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for luxury travel benefits and airport lounge access : The Platinum Card® from American Express

Introduction to Travel Credit Cards

Whether you're just dipping your toe into the world of rewards credit cards or you've already flown thousands of miles on points alone, we can tell you: There's a travel credit card for everyone. There's a card if you're looking for free flights, if you're hoping for free hotel stays, or if you're just doing whatever it takes to realize your dream of an overwater bungalow. There are even no-annual-fee travel credit cards that won't cost you anything to keep.

Compare the Top Travel Credit Cards

Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. Earn 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. Earn 2x on all other travel purchases. Earn 1x on all other purchases.

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit

If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase.

0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (intro fee of 3% for the first 15 months, then 4% of the amount of each balance transfer at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time)

19.99% - 29.99% Variable

Earn 20,000 miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Versatile rewards
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases with no bonus categories to track
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower earning rate than some other no-annual-fee rewards cards
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited benefits

The VentureOne Rewards Card is a slimmed-down version of the popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It's one of the few no-annual-fee cards on the market that gives you the option to redeem miles for cash back or transfer them to travel partners.

• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
• Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase-or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Earn unlimited 5x points per dollar on hotels. Earn 4x points on airlines. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. Earn 1x on other purchases.

21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% Variable

Earn 60,000 bonus rewards points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation and lost baggage protection
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Airline and hotel transfer partners available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Welcome bonus
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous cellphone protection
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Low annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Transfer partner network not as diverse or robust as competitors

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card is a true travel credit card, with benefits that rival many of the best travel rewards credit cards currently on the market. This card has a low annual fee on par with that of popular competing credit cards and Wells Fargo's newly announced Points Transfer program allows cardholders to juice maximum value from every point they earn.

Earn 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.

19.99% - 29.99% variable

Earn 75,000 miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No bonus categories to keep track of
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other credit cards offer higher rewards in certain categories of spending

If you want an easy, no-fuss travel rewards credit card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great fit. For a moderate annual fee, it offers plenty of value, useful benefits, and a substantial welcome bonus.

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations. Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases.

21.24% - 29.24% variable

Earn 75,000 bonus points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 3x points on most travel, restaurants, gas/EV charging, and supermarkets
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 10x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked via Citi Travel
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $100 annual hotel credit on a single stay of $500 or more
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No foreign transaction fees
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay/interruption benefits and lost/damaged baggage coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Has an annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Citi Travel rates often are higher than retail cost of travel

Earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar on purchases.

• 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account

17.99% - 27.99% Variable

25,000 online bonus points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous welcome bonus for a student credit card
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earns flexible points you can use toward a wide variety of travel purchases
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Other travel rewards cards have higher earning rates
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Few travel-related benefits compared to other travel cards

A good student credit card should offer rewards and useful benefits to those with limited credit history and the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students hits several of those notes. However, while the card is marketed to students, those without established credit may have difficulty getting approved.

• The information related to the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
• 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases)
• Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, no expiration on points
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fees

Earn unlimited 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Earn unlimited 2 miles on all other purchases.

Earn 75,000 bonus miles

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Excellent welcome bonus and miles earning
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Premium perks including airport lounge access and credits for certain purchases
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Visa Infinite benefits including travel and shopping protections
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. High annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Annual travel credits only apply to Capital One Travel purchases

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best credit cards for frequent travelers, with top-notch benefits and a wide range of built-in protections. It comes with a generous welcome bonus and credits that can help offset the annual fee — which is much lower than similar premium cards.

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® points on all other purchases.

See Pay Over Time APR

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Great rewards for dining and for shopping at US supermarkets
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Underwhelming welcome bonus

Foodies and travelers alike will appreciate the American Express Gold's generous welcome bonus and Membership Rewards points earning. Its Uber Cash credits are useful for rides and Uber Eats, and monthly dining credits with participating merchants like GrubHub and Seamless are easy to use.

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• Terms Apply.

Earn 5x points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

22.49% - 29.49% Variable

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong travel insurance
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong bonus rewards on travel and dining
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Very high annual fee

If you're new to rewards credit cards you may want to start elsewhere, but if you know you want to earn Chase points and you spend a lot on travel and dining, the Sapphire Reserve is one of the most rewarding options.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Points on other purchases.

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual statement credits with Saks and Uber
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bonus categories leave something to be desired
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, complimentary hotel elite status, and more.

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.

Best Travel Credit Card Recommendations

The best travel rewards credit cards offer valuable rewards, easy-to-use benefits, and helpful features like travel coverage. Our team of credit card experts at Business Insider chose the best options available on the market in 2024, and reviewed each one below.

Best Travel Credit Card Overall

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our top pick for a well-rounded travel rewards credit card. Even infrequent travelers can benefit from the slew of premium perks on this card, typically found on cards with far higher annual fees. 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card stands out for its travel protection benefits. When you pay for travel expenses with this card and meet certain requirements, you can request reimbursement for unexpected expenses that may arise when your flight is delayed or if your baggage is delayed or lost.

You'll also have primary rental car insurance, meaning you won't have to file claims through your personal car insurance plan or pay for coverage from the rental car company. This card also offers a 10% anniversary points bonus, and up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel purchases made through the Chase Travel℠ Portal. 

The rewards rate on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card isn't shabby either. You'll earn 5 points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 2 points on all other travel purchases; and 3 points on dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), and select streaming services. You'll earn 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are some of the easiest points to use in various ways. You can redeem them for travel directly through the Chase Travel Portal for a 25% boost in value, where 1 point will be worth 1.25 cents apiece. You can also transfer your points to Chase's airline and hotel transfer partners , which include United Airlines, Hyatt, Marriott, and many other airlines and hotel chains around the world. Cardholders can also use points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, and more.  

What the experts love: High welcome bonus offer, earns bonus points on travel, dining, and online grocery purchases, you can redeem points for 1.25 cents apiece for travel or through Chase for 25% value bonus

What the experts don't love: Doesn't offer some of the travel perks you'll get with competing cards, such as airport lounge access and a statement credit for Global Entry

Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card review

Best No-Annual-Fee Card for Earning Travel Miles

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is our top choice for a no-annual-fee travel card ( rates and fees ), and it's got many of the same perks as its bigger sibling, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

New cardholders can earn a respectable 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases within three months from account opening (worth at least $340 in travel according to Business Insider's valuations). While the card only earns 1.25 miles per dollar on most purchases (plus 5x on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel), it's still a compelling choice if an annual fee isn't for you ( rates and fees ).

You'll get the same access to Capital One's airline and hotel partners as you would with annual-fee cards, and a handful of benefits including car rental insurance***, travel accident insurance***, and purchase assurance***. This is also a solid pick if you're looking for a zero-interest credit card  with a 0% introductory APR offer, because new cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months (intro fee of 3% for the first 15 months, then 4% of the amount of each balance transfer at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time), then a 19.99% - 29.99% Variable APR ( rates and fees ).

What the experts love: No annual fee, access to transfer partners, generous intro 0% APR offer

What the experts don't love: Few travel benefits, lower earning rate

Read more: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card review

The newly announced Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card earns one of the highest rates of return on hotel bookings for a credit card that isn't co-branded with a specific hotel chain. 

This card has a $95 annual fee, inviting direct comparisons to two other cards on this list: The Sapphire Preferred Card , and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . In exchange, cardholders earn at least 3x on dining and travel purchases. Airline purchases earn 4x, and hotel purchases earn 5x.

Wells Fargo simultaneously announced brand-new airline and hotel partners: Choice Privileges, Aer Lingus AerClub, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, avianca lifemiles, and British Airways Executive Club. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card cardholders can redeem rewards at the standard redemption rate of 1 cent per point for cash back, or transfer their rewards to any of the travel partners above for additional value.

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Visa® Card will be available for in-person applications at select Wells Fargo bank locations on March 9, 2024. Nationwide applications open online and in person on March 20, 2024. 

Read more: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey credit card review

Best Travel Credit Card for Beginners

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great "set it and forget it" card, in the sense that you don't have to worry about various bonus categories for earning rewards. You'll earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2x miles on all other purchases.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also offers one of the most straightforward ways to redeem rewards for travel: you're able to use your miles to cover recent travel purchases from your card statement, at a rate of 1 cent per mile. 

You also have the option to transfer Capital One miles *** to more than a dozen frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Etihad Guest, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. Capital One also added new partners including British Airways and Turkish Airlines, and improved the transfer ratio to 1:1 for most partners. 

The selection of transfer partners is best suited to someone who wants to travel internationally and who doesn't mind spending some time researching the best ways to redeem miles with the different frequent flyer program options. But the upside is that you can always use your miles to cover your travel purchases. You also get up to a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit.

What the experts love:  The ability to use your miles to cover your recent travel expenses; it earns at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase.

What the experts don't love: Other cards offer higher rewards on certain spending categories such as travel and dining.

Read more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review

Best Travel Rewards on Everyday Spending

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card isn't as flashy or well-known as some other travel cards, but that doesn't mean you should overlook it, especially if you spend a lot on its bonus categories. Cardholders earn an impressive 3x points on air travel, gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Along with a solid welcome bonus offer of 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening (worth $1,200 based on Business Insider's valuations), you'll receive $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) booked through thankyou.com once per calendar year.

While it isn't the best for travel protections, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is the only card currently available to new applicants that unlocks the ability to transfer your ThankYou points to Citi's full list of airline and hotel partners , including JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, and Wyndham.

What the experts love:  Strong rewards earning in useful everyday categories, access to Citi's transfer partners

What the experts don't love: Lack of travel protections like car rental insurance, few travel perks compared to similar rewards cards

Read more: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card review

Best Travel Card for Students

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a fairly unique offering, as there aren't many student credit cards specifically geared toward travel. New cardholders can earn 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases). That's a decent offer for a no-annual-fee card, and the earning structure is simple, too — 1.5x points per dollar on every purchase, with no bonus categories to keep track of.

There's also a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 17.99% - 27.99% Variable APR) which can be handy if you have big purchases (like textbooks or supplies) you want to pay for over time. 

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a good choice if you prefer a straightforward card without having to worry about award charts or transfer partners. It's also a safe bet if you want to use it while traveling internationally — it doesn't charge pesky foreign transaction fees, so you won't be on the hook for extra charges if you use it overseas.

However, you won't find many extras — like travel benefits or purchase protections — with this card. If you're looking for better benefits, be sure to check out our guide to the best student credit cards for all the top options.

What the experts love: Impressive welcome bonus offer for a student credit card, good flat-rate rewards earning

What the experts don't love: No flashy extra perks or shopping benefits

Read more: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students review

Most Affordable Premium Travel Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was unveiled in late 2021 and offers a massive welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening — worth at least $1,275 in travel, based on Business Insider's valuation of Capital One miles .

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is loaded with premium benefits that can more than offset the $395 annual fee ( rates and fees ). For context, the Venture X's annual fee, while high, is significantly lower than other premium travel card competitors.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders receive $300 per year in credits toward travel booked through Capital One, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One airport lounge access (even for authorized users), a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth $100 in travel), and Visa Infinite travel and purchase benefits.

As with other cards that earn Capital One miles , you can transfer rewards to over a dozen airline and hotel partners to book award travel, or use miles to book through the Capital One Travel Portal .

What the experts love:  Between $300 a year in travel credit and a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary, you can offset the annual fee entirely — and that's not even considering other benefits like lounge access.

What the experts don't love:  The $300 travel credit is more restrictive than other cards' — it only applies to travel booked through Capital One.

Read more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review

Best for Earning Travel Credit from Dining and Groceries

The American Express® Gold Card is an ideal travel card for anyone who frequently eats out and/or shops at U.S. supermarkets. You'll earn 4x Amex Membership Rewards points on these purchases (though note the $25,000 calendar year annual cap for U.S. supermarkets; after that, you'll earn just 1 point per dollar, but that's a pretty high cap). The card also earns 3x points on flights booked directly with the airlines or through AmexTravel.com, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

While the $250 annual fee is on the high side, you can offset it thanks to an annual statement credit. You can get up to $120 in annual dining credits**, but it's divided into up to $10 in credits each month, and the credit only applies at select restaurants and delivery services, including Grubhub, Seamless, Milk Bar, Wine.com, and Goldbelly, and participating Shake Shack locations.

You'll also get up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 per month) credit each calendar year (this is only applicable to U.S. Eats orders and rides, and the Gold Card needs to be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit).

What the experts love: "4x points on restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x) is great — usually, a card favors one or the other," says Rathner. Plus, the card offers monthly dining credits.

What the experts don't love: Wilson notes that other cards offer similar benefits for a lower annual fee, and Rathner notes that the card's travel and dining credits come with some important limitations — so read the fine print. 

Read more: American Express® Gold Card review

Best Premium Card for Travel Insurance and Bonus Categories

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual fee, which means it's not for everybody, but if you're serious about maximizing your rewards and you travel frequently, it could be worth it. It offers a bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. 

Not only do you get up to $300 in statement credits toward travel each year (and Chase has a very generous definition of travel — including everything from airfare to highway tolls), but you also earn 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (excluding the $300 travel credit) and 3x points on all other travel and dining. You also get airport lounge access through the Priority Pass network , which has more than 1,300 locations worldwide.

New benefits also include access to Chase Sapphire lounges in JFK , LaGuardia , Boston , and Hong Kong, as well as the Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin Airport . You'll also receive benefits with DoorDash  and Instacart that can save you money on delivery (activation required).

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is currently offering cardholders two years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership (valued at $199 per year) for member-exclusive pricing, priority pickup, and more (activation required). 

When it comes to redeeming points, you can book travel through Chase and get 1.5 cents per point (a 50% bonus over the standard 1-cent-per-point rate), or you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to travel partners like Hyatt, British Airways, and United.

Plus, like the less-expensive Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers some of the best credit card travel insurance around. This includes primary car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation protection, and lost baggage insurance.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card was previously our pick for the best travel card overall, before the annual fee increased from $450 to $550. While the Reserve did add some additional benefits, the Reserve no longer makes as much sense for casual travelers. As a result, we now recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as the best travel credit card for most people. 

What the experts love:  Earns 3x points on travel and dining purchases made outside of Chase Travel Portal, annual $300 travel credit, points are worth 1.5 cents apiece for travel booked through Chase

What the experts don't love: You have to squeeze every drop of value out of this card to make that jaw-dropping $550 annual fee worth your while.

Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve® review

Best for Luxury Travel Benefits and Airport Lounge Access

The Platinum Card® from American Express has one of the highest rewards card annual fees —  $695 — but it can still be well worth it if you can put all of its statement credits and generous welcome bonus offer to use.

You'll earn 5x points on flights when you book directly through the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year), which makes the card a great choice for purchasing airfare. The card offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, plus some of the best purchase protection, so it's a good option for buying expensive items (and don't forget to see if you can take advantage of an Amex Offer ** for bonus points or cash back).

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers more airport lounge access than any other personal travel card — in addition to Priority Pass membership**, you get access to Amex Centurion Lounges , Delta Sky Clubs (when you're flying Delta), and more. 

The card's annual statement credits can go a long way toward offsetting the high annual fee. You get up to $200 in statement credits toward airline incidental fees** like checked bags and inflight purchases; up to $100 each year in credit toward Saks Fifth Avenue purchases**; and up to $200 in annual Uber credits (including Uber Eats)**. 

Just keep in mind that you're limited to one designated airline you choose each year in your Amex account for the airline incidental fee credit, and both the Saks and Uber credits are divided into portions. You'll get up to $50 in statement credits toward Saks purchases from January to June, and another credit of up to $50 for Saks purchases from July to December.

With the Uber credit, you get up to $15 each month, and a $20 bonus in December for a total of $35 that month.

What the experts love:  Lots of luxury benefits, including airport lounge access and statement credits with Uber and Saks

What the experts don't love: This card's $695 annual fee, and minimal bonus categories

Read more: The Platinum Card® from American Express review

How to Choose the Best Travel Credit Card

While it takes more effort to redeem points or miles compared to cash back, the upside is that you can get much more value for your points compared to simply cashing in your rewards for a statement credit or check at a rate of 1 cent per point.

In fact, it's possible to receive double, triple, or even more than that amount when you're strategic about how you redeem your rewards, particularly if you book expensive luxury hotels or first-class flights. 

In this guide, we've focused mostly on the best travel credit cards that earn transferable points. Transferable points include popular currencies such as:

• Amex Membership Rewards
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Rewards
• Capital One miles

You can transfer these points to both airline and hotel partner loyalty programs. You can even redeem your points to offset the cash price of your travel at a flat rate.

Travel Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions

If you want a single credit card that does it all and don't mind paying a generous annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a great choice. It comes with the best travel insurance available on the market, as well as a $300 travel credit each year that can be used on most types of travel.

The best travel credit card overall is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, but the best card for your particular situation will depend on what benefits you care about the most, as well as how you feel about paying a high annual fee. 

We'd recommend opening a travel card that earns Amex or Chase points, because these are among the easiest rewards to redeem and you have various travel partners to utilize. But if you've investigated your options and are confident that you can get value out of their rewards, credit cards that earn Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou points can make sense as well.

There are two main types of travel credit cards: Cards that earn transferable points, and airline/hotel co-branded credit cards. Transferable points currencies include Amex Membership Rewards points, Capital One miles, and Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Airline credit cards and hotel credit cards earn points or miles within a respective hotel or airline program; you don't have the option to redeem your rewards with a wide variety of travel partners (or if you do, the transfer ratio usually isn't great).

To pick the right travel credit card for you, you'll want to evaluate its welcome bonus offer, ease of use, benefits, and annual fee. The best one for you will ideally have a combination of an attractive sign-up bonus , lots of options for earning and redeeming rewards, benefits that save you money, and a low or no annual fee.

Travel credit cards with annual fees are worth it if you're able to get significant value out of their benefits and rewards. Before you apply for a card , make sure you'll actually use all the features that contribute to the card's annual fee. For example, if a card offers an annual statement credit of up to $200 toward travel but you can't use it, you're probably not getting what you pay for.

Travel credit cards work by earning you points (or miles) on every purchase you make, with the goal of helping you earn enough rewards to book free travel . The best travel cards earn points that you can transfer to various airline and hotel partners — like Amex, Chase, or Citi points. 

A great way to work toward getting a free flight is by applying for a travel credit card and earning its welcome bonus offer. Domestic award flights in economy class typically require about 25,000 points, so depending on the welcome bonus offer, you could have enough rewards for a flight right out of the gate. 

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Travel Credit Cards

Business Insider evaluated dozens of travel credit cards currently available to new applicants and narrowed down the list to the best options based on the following factors:

• Welcome bonus offer — Do new cardholders get a valuable incentive to sign up and meet a minimum spending requirement?
• Ongoing rewards — How many points or miles do you earn on your purchases?
• Benefits — Beyond rewards, does the card offer valuable perks such as statement credits for travel, primary car rental insurance, and airport lounge access?
• Annual fee — Is there an annual fee, and if so, is it affordable or easy to offset with card perks?
• Overall value — Does the card justify its annual fee by offering useful benefits and valuable rewards, and is it worth it?

Read our guide to how we rate credit cards for a closer look at our methodology.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.

For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.

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Eid Al Adha 2024 in UAE: Prayer timings revealed in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah

Here's how the special day unfolds for the country's faithful.

Sahim Salim

Waad barakat.

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Last updated: Thu 13 Jun 2024, 11:57 PM

Besides serving up a four-day weekend in the UAE, the Islamic festival of Eid Al Adha is a deeply spiritual experience for Muslims. Celebrated a day after the holiest day in Islam — the day of Arafah — the festival sees friends and family come together for a day of prayers, celebration, and feasting.

This year, employees of both private and public sectors will get four paid holidays to mark the festival. The break is from Saturday, June 15, till Tuesday, June 18.

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Eid Al Adha is marked on the 10th of the Islamic month Dhul Hijjah, which falls on Sunday, June 16. On this day, Muslims dress their best and set out for mosques and large open spaces called musallahs shortly after sunrise to offer special prayers. Most places of worship fill up quickly with hundreds and thousands of men, women, children, and the elderly.

Prayer spaces typically remain open from the Fajr (morning) prayer, with the Eid takbir (chants) ringing out of mosques until the special prayer starts. Here are the prayer timings in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, based on multiple sources:

• Abu Dhabi city: 5.50am
• Al Ain: 5.44am

(According to the interactive e-calendar published by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre)

Dubai: 5.45am

(According to the Hijri calendar published by Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai)

Sharjah: 5.44am

(According to the Hijri calendar published by the Sharjah Islamic Affairs Department)

The following timings are based on time zone calculations and may vary. The exact timings will be updated based on official announcements.

Ajman: 5.44am

Umm Al Quwain: 5.43am

Ras Al Khaimah: 5.41am

Fujairah: 5.41am

How the Eid prayer is offered

The Eid prayer is a congregational one and consists of two units (raka’ah). In the first, the imam will lead worshippers in offering multiple takbirs before reciting the surah Fatiha and another chapter from the holy Quran. In the second unit, too, multiple takbirs are said. At the end of the prayer, the imam will give a two-part sermon.

Muslims are expected to listen to the sermon before hugging their loved ones to wish them Eid Mubarak — and from there, the day’s festivities begin.

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