If you are planning a summer getaway to the UAE with your kids, you can take advantage of a helpful fee waiver designed to make family travel more affordable. Running annually from July 15 to September 15, this initiative allows children under 18 to have their visa application fees waived when traveling with one or both parents. This exemption applies to both 30-day and 60-day tourist visas, providing a significant discount for families visiting as tourists. It is important to note that this benefit is specifically for families arriving as visitors; it does not apply if a UAE resident is sponsoring a child’s visit visa.

While the visa application fee itself is removed, parents should be aware that the process is not entirely free. Travel agencies will typically still charge for essential components like travel insurance and administrative service fees, which can amount to around Dh120 per child. To ensure you qualify, it is crucial to submit the child’s application at the exact same time as the parent’s application through your travel agent. Be sure to request a full breakdown of costs from your service provider upfront so there are no surprises, and keep in mind that this waiver covers the initial entry only—any subsequent visa extensions will still incur standard charges.