Visa Requirements for Dubai
Visa requirements for entering Dubai vary greatly between different nationalities and it is always advised to check regulations before travelling. It is relatively simple and hassle free to obtain a visa allowing you to enter the UAE. The main entry requirement for obtaining a visa in the United Arab Emirates and its 7 emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) are that your passport is valid for a minimum of 2-6 months before your arrival. Information regarding the various UAE visa categories are explained in detail below.
If you wish to travel to the UAE, you will find all the information concerning dubai visa requirements on www.dnrd.ae
Please note that Dubai visa regulations and costs are subject to change and should always be confirmed with your travel agent or nearest UAE embassy before travelling.
www.dnrd.gov.ae
For more information you can also visit – www.dubaivisa.net
Documents Required for a Dubai Visa
The applicant must submit the following documents:
- A passport photocopy with a minimum of 6 months validity
- 2 x passport size colour photographs
Processing time & charges:
- A normal dubai visa is issued between 5 to 7 working days at a charge of AED 250
- If you wish to process your dubai visa on an urgent basis the processing time is 2 days at a charge of AED 375
Visa validity & renewal:
- A visit visa is valid for 55 days from the time of entry into the UAE
- The visa can be renewed for one additional month at a charge of AED 625
Visa on Arrival at Dubai Airport
Visas are required for all visitors to Dubai with the exception of nationals from the following countries:
GCC Nationals (Gulf Cooperation Council member countries): Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Western Europe: United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Mario and Liechtenstein
North America: USA and Canada
Far East: Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong
Australia and New Zealand
The following original documents have to be attested and carried with you when travelling to Dubai:
- Birth certificate
- Drivers License(s)
- Diploma(s)/Degree(s)
- Marriage Certificate
- Adoption/Custody Papers
- Others, if any
Attesting documents could take some time and possibly even several months in some countries so it is advisable to start the process early for your UAE Visa.
Dubai Visa’s for other Nationalities
For all other nationalities, a visa must be applied for before you enter the country. This can be done through your respective embassy, a local UAE sponsor or a local hotel. Citizens of countries that are not mentioned above require the sponsorship of a UAE resident (relative or friend), hotel, travel agency, or company, in order to obtain a visit visa.
This type of visit visa is also known as the Dubai tourist visa. For a relative or friend to sponsor a tourist visa, he or she must earn over Dhs. 4,000 per month and hold a valid residence visa. A hotel in Dubai can sponsor a tourist visa, only if the visitor stays at the hotel, and they will hold your passport until all hotel payments are cleared.
Procedures involved in issuing a tourist visa in Dubai require that the visitor to fill out a visa application form and submits it to the sponsor along with their passport. With these details, the sponsor can apply for a tourist visa for Dubai, which will cost Dhs. 650 (US$ 178) and take a maximum of 7 days to issue. The sponsor must deposit the visitor’s tourist visa at the airport immigration at least one hour before the visitor’s flight arrives, which will cost Dhs. 10 (US$ 3) for processing. Prices and timescales mentioned are subject to change.
Hotel Visas for Dubai
Tourists travelling to Dubai can get a visa from a hotel in Dubai if they have a reservation for a minimum of one night. They must fax, email or courier the dubai hotel a copy of their passport along with the reason for the visit (tourism is a perfectly acceptable reason) and their arrival date. The hotel will then fax a copy of the visa when it is ready.
Airlines may require confirmation that a visa is in place prior to check-in at the airport (a fax copy is sufficient). The original visa will be held at Dubai Airport for collection before passport control.
Dubai Visa Types
There are two types of Visa available for tourists in the UAE, they are Visit Visas and Transit Visas. They are issued depending on the duration of stay requested.
1. Dubai Visit Visa
A visit visa for Dubai and the rest of the UAE is issued for people who are sponsored by a company operating in the UAE. It is valid for two months from the date of arrival and can be extended for one further month if requested. A visit visa also applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14 days in the UAE, whether that may be to visit relatives or for business purposes.
Documents required:
- Photocopy of the visitor’s passport
- Application form, completed and signed by the sponsoring company
- Photocopy of the trade license of the company
- A Guarantee letter from the company stating its responsibility of the visitor during his/her visit
The categories given below identify whether an individual requires a visit visa before arrival or whether one can be issued to them at the airport or entry point.
AGCC Citizens
Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa.
AGCC Residents
AGCC expatriate residents may obtain a non-renewable 30-day visit visa upon arrival.
2. Dubai Transit Visa
A Transit Visa for Dubai & the UAE is issued to individuals at the request of any licensed company such as hotels or trading companies who hold an authorisation for applying for this visa. It is valid for 4 days and it cannot be renewed. A transit visa can only be issued if a visitor has a valid ticket for an onward flight and the issuing of transit visas are usually free of cost.
Documents required:
- Photocopy of the visitor’s passport
- Application form, completed and signed by the sponsoring company
- Authorisation card of the company
Dubai Visa Renewals
The DNRD renews the Visit Visa at its expiry date if the sponsor so decides. Renewals can be made by paying the extension fee of Dhs 500 at the DNRD. If you overstay your UAE or Dubai visit visa, there is a ten day period in which you must leave the country. A fine of Dhs. 100 will be applied for each day overstayed.
If you are travelling to the United Arab Emirates we recommend you call your local UAE embassy to check directly with them with regards to the latest situation regarding visas and to discuss your own personal case with them.
For more information and to apply for your Dubai visa online visit – www.dubaivisa.net
Other Dubai Visit Visas
There are 2 other types of visit visas issued by the UAE government. The first is a 14-day visa, also known as an Entry Service Permit. This visa must be sponsored by a UAE company or hotel and will normally take 2-3 days to issue. The second is a Multiple Entry Visa, which is useful for individuals who are continously visiting the UAE. This visa has special privileges for visitors from Germany and the United States.
Residence Visa
For individuals planning to live in Dubai, you have to obtain a residence visa, which is also reffered to as an employment visa. A residence visa will be issued by the Immigration department of the emirate you will be staying in and provided to you by your sponsor (the company or person you are working for). If you have entered the country on a visit visa, you can transfer it to a residence visa at the Immigration department.
If you are coming to the UAE with family members, you should obtain a family visa, which will allow you to sponsor your parents, spouse, daughters, and sons under the age of 18. Family visas are only possible if you earn more than Dhs. 4,000 (US$ 1,100) a month.
Residence visas are normally issued for 3-years and in order for it to be processed, you will need to take a medical test and obtain a health card. Individuals who test positive for AIDS will not be permitted to obtain a residence visa. A health card costs around Dhs. 300 (US$ 82) and should be renewed yearly. It can be issued at the Ministry of Health or at a recognised private hospital.
Overstaying
A penalty charge of Dhs. 25 (US$ 7) – Dhs. 100 (US$ 28) per day is imposed on visitors who overstay in Dubai. If the overstay extends to a significant amount of time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what penalties will occur.
Issuing Authority
The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) is the sole administrative authority of the Ministry of Interior that deals with issuing visas to foreigners visiting the country. Most visit visas issued in the UAE are issued through Dubai International Airport.
*We always recommend that you contact the UAE embassy or consulate in your country of residence as Dubai visa requirements may have changed.