Listed below are the different types of visas that can be used to enter the UAE: As a note, in order to obtain any sort of visa for the UAE you must be sponsored by either an individual or a company.

Visit Visa
To enter the UAE on a visit visa you must obtain a sponsorship from someone you know in the country; be it a friend, relative, or even a company. Normally visit visas entitle you to stay in the country for 60 days and can be renewed for another 30 days. 

Tourist Visa
This visa is made available to tourists by tour operating companies and hotels by sponsoring your visit to the country. It allows for a 30 day stay, however, it is non-renewable.

Special Mission Entry Visa
Being that the UAE is very business oriented it is natural for international businessmen to fly in the country for short periods of time. This visa is used for those purposes. It is issued for 14 days and cannot be renewed. In order to obtain a special mission entry visa you are required to be sponsored by a company or commercial establishment in the UAE.

 
Mission Visa
This visa is issued for the purpose of temporary work in the country. You are allowed a maximum of 180 days in the country. It is issued for three months and can be renewed for another three months. It has been introduced to facilitate Labour Ministry's Temporary Work Permit.

Transit Visa
This visa is for those waiting for a connecting flight from the UAE. It allows you 96 hours and has to be sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE. You must also have a valid ticket for the connecting flight in order to obtain this visa.

Multiple Entry Visa
Are you a frequent visitor to the UAE? If so then this visa may be the best option for you. It is valid for six months from the date of issue and you can enter and exit the UAE as many times as you like within this time frame. However, each visit must not exceed 30 days and you must enter the country the first time on a visit visa and obtain the multiple entry visa while you are here.