Ras Al Khaimah Visa 2026: Price, Status & How to Apply
Quick answer: You do not need a separate visa just for Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). A UAE tourist or visit visa is issued for the UAE as a whole, so it covers RAK along with the other emirates. With Buy Tourist Visa, tourist visas start from AED 550, standard processing takes 2–4 days and express processing takes 4–24 hours. Some nationalities do not need a visa in advance at all, so check your passport first.
Ras Al Khaimah Visa at a Glance
Separate RAK visa needed? No. The UAE visa is valid for the whole country.
Visa type for tourists: UAE tourist (visit) visa, 30 or 60 days, single or multiple entry.
Starting price: From AED 550 for a tourist visa.
Standard processing: 2–4 days. Express: 4–24 hours.
Status check: GDRFA Dubai for Dubai-issued visas, ICP Smart Services for RAK and other emirates, or our visa status page.
Main documents: Passport valid for at least 6 months, passport-size photo, and travel details.
Do You Need a Separate Visa for Ras Al Khaimah?
No. There is no stand-alone "Ras Al Khaimah tourist visa" that you must buy to visit RAK. The UAE visit visa is a federal permit, so once you hold a valid UAE tourist visa you can travel between emirates, including Ras Al Khaimah, for the length of your stay.
What changes by emirate is the office that issues the visa and the portal you use to track it. A visa processed through a RAK sponsor is handled through the Ras Al Khaimah immigration office and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). A visa issued through a Dubai sponsor is tracked on the GDRFA Dubai system. Both are UAE tourist visas and both let you visit RAK.
Is the Ras Al Khaimah visa the same as a Dubai visa?
For a tourist, yes in practice. The visa types, stay lengths and entry rules are the same. The difference is only where the application is filed. If you are comparing, see our guides to the Dubai tourist visa requirements and the Sharjah visa.
Which nationalities can visit RAK without a visa in advance?
Citizens of a number of countries receive a visa on arrival or enter visa-free, and the list is set by the UAE authorities and can change. If you hold an Indian passport, read our guide to the Dubai visa on arrival for Indians. If your passport is not on the visa-free list, you need to apply before you travel.
Ras Al Khaimah Tourist Visa Types and Prices in 2026
These are the main visa options for visiting RAK, with the prices currently listed by Buy Tourist Visa. Prices can change, so confirm the final amount on the visa types page before you pay.
Visa type | Stay | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
30 days | From AED 550 | A single holiday or weekend trip | |
60 days | See current price | Longer family visits | |
30 days | AED 1,100 | Leaving and re-entering during the trip | |
60 days | AED 1,200 | Combining RAK, Dubai and nearby countries | |
48 hours | AED 500 | Layovers | |
96 hours | AED 540 | Long layovers and short city breaks |
If you plan to come and go during your trip, our guide to the multiple-entry UAE tourist visa explains the difference. For a full price breakdown, see Dubai tourist visa price in 2026.
How much does a Ras Al Khaimah visa cost?
The RAK visa cost for a standard tourist visa starts from AED 550. The final price depends on the visa length, whether it is single or multiple entry, and how fast you need it. Express processing costs more than standard.
Ras Al Khaimah Visit Visa Requirements and Documents
The RAK visit visa requirements are the same as for any UAE tourist visa. Have these ready before you apply:
Passport: valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry, with a clear colour scan of the photo page.
Passport-size photo: recent, with a plain white background and your face clearly visible. See our Dubai visa photo requirements for size and rules.
Travel details: your arrival date and, where requested, a return or onward ticket and your accommodation in the UAE.
Extra documents for some nationalities: a few passports need additional papers. We will tell you during the application if anything more is needed.
Mistakes with the passport scan or photo are among the most common reasons for delays. A name that does not match the passport exactly can also cause problems.
Get a Free Visa Consultation
Still have questions about your visa? Our visa experts are here to help. Get a free consultation and clear guidance today.
How to Apply for a Ras Al Khaimah Visa Online
You can apply entirely online without visiting an embassy or travel office. The steps are:
Choose your visa. Go to the Apply Visa page and pick the length and entry type that fits your trip.
Enter your details. Fill in your name, passport number and travel dates exactly as they appear on your passport.
Upload documents. Add your passport scan and photo.
Pay securely. Pay online. If you need the visa urgently, choose express processing.
Receive your visa. Your approved visa is sent to you digitally. Keep a printed or saved copy with you when you travel.
For a detailed walkthrough, see how to apply for a Dubai tourist visa online.
Ras Al Khaimah Visa Status Check and Tracking
You can check your RAK visa status online using your passport number or application number. Where you check depends on where your visa was issued:
Where the visa was issued | Where to check status |
|---|---|
Dubai (Dubai sponsor) | GDRFA Dubai website or app |
Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah or Umm Al Quwain | ICP Smart Services |
Applied with Buy Tourist Visa |
A tourist visa application normally moves through these stages: received, under process, then issued or rejected. If your status has not changed after the normal processing time, contact us on WhatsApp with your passport number. Our full guide, how to check UAE visa status online, covers each portal step by step.
How long does a RAK visit visa take?
Standard processing takes about 2–4 days, and express processing takes 4–24 hours. Weekends, public holidays, incomplete documents and peak travel periods can add time. Read more in how long a Dubai tourist visa takes.
How to Get to Ras Al Khaimah
By air: Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) has direct flights from several cities in the region.
From Dubai by road: RAK is roughly an hour to an hour and a half from Dubai by car or taxi, depending on traffic and where you start. Many visitors land in Dubai and travel up the coast.
From Sharjah or Ajman: a shorter drive along the same route.
Whichever airport you use, carry your visa copy and passport and confirm your airline's travel requirements before you fly.
What to Do in Ras Al Khaimah on a Tourist Visa
RAK is known for its mix of mountains, beaches and old heritage sites, which is why many visitors add it to a Dubai trip.
Jebel Jais: the UAE's highest peak, with viewpoints, hiking and a well-known zipline.
Al Marjan Island: beach resorts and waterfront dining.
Dhayah Fort: a hilltop fort with views across the date palm plantations.
Jazirah Al Hamra: a historic coastal village that shows older life on the Gulf.
Mangrove and desert experiences: kayaking, camping and nature trips outside the city.
RAK Free Zone, Freelance and Residence Visas: How They Differ from a Tourist Visa
Many people searching for "RAK visa" are actually looking for a business or residence visa. These are different from a tourist visa:
RAK free zone visa: a residence visa linked to a company licence set up in a Ras Al Khaimah free zone. It is for business owners and employees, not for tourists.
RAK freelance visa: a residence permit for freelancers who register in a free zone.
Tourist visa: a short visit permit for holidays, family visits and sightseeing. This is the visa Buy Tourist Visa provides.
A tourist visa does not allow you to work. If you want to relocate or start a business, you need the right residence visa through the relevant free zone or authority.
Can You Extend Your Visa While in Ras Al Khaimah?
Yes, a UAE visit visa can usually be extended, either without leaving the country or by changing status inside the UAE. Prices and rules are covered in our UAE visa extension guide. Do not overstay: fines apply for every extra day, so apply for the extension before your visa expires.
Common Reasons a Tourist Visa Gets Rejected
Passport valid for less than 6 months.
Blurry, cropped or wrongly sized passport scan or photo.
Name or passport details that do not match the document.
A previous overstay or unpaid fine linked to the passport.
A visa already issued or still active for the same passport.
Double-check every detail before you submit. If you want help, our visa advisors are available 24/7 on WhatsApp.
Apply for Your UAE Tourist Visa Today
Whether you are heading to Ras Al Khaimah for the mountains or the beach, a UAE tourist visa covers your whole trip. Apply online now or message our visa advisors on WhatsApp for help.
Planning to visit more than one emirate? Read our guide to the Sharjah visa.
Visa rules, fees and eligibility are set by UAE authorities and can change without notice. Always confirm current details before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A UAE tourist or visit visa is valid for the whole country, so it covers Ras Al Khaimah as well as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates.