Do South Africans need a visa to live in Dubai?

Yes. A South African passport gives you only a short visit (tourist) option, not the right to live and work long term. To stay in Dubai legally, you need a residency visa based on:

- employment with a UAE company,
- your own business or freelance licence,
- property investment, or
- a long-term scheme such as the Golden Visa (if you meet the criteria).