| Dubai has become a magnet attracting shoppers, | | | | renewed for another 180 days. An applicant must |
| holiday makers, tourists, business persons and job | | | | obtain the permit from the Labour Ministry to get the |
| seekers alike, in droves. Not without reason. It has | | | | visa. |
| acquired a much envied status in the world, of the | | | | Transit Visa: |
| most happening destination. Other positive adjectives | | | | A Dubai Visa is issued to travelers transiting through |
| are also frequently used to describe this vibrant and | | | | UAE airports. It is issued for 96 hours and must be |
| dynamic city, like, zero crime rate city, fastest growing | | | | sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE. The |
| tourism destination, city of skyscrapers, city of gold, | | | | visitor must have a valid ticket for onward flight. |
| city of dreams, the new land of the rising sun, and lots | | | | Citizens of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger and |
| more... | | | | Yemen are not eligible for the 96 hours visa on arrival. |
| Dubai is attracting people from over 200 countries, for | | | | Emirates Airlines handles the service for their travelers. |
| various purposes as described above. Obviously then, | | | | However, for those flying with other Airlines, have to |
| a Dubai Visa must be in great demand! You bet it is. I | | | | contact Marhaba Services for any transit visa. |
| present below a guide to the different types of Dubai | | | | Residence Visa: |
| Visas, Dubai Visa Requirements, Tips to remember, & | | | | A Residence Visa is issued to those who intend to |
| Important Do's and Don'ts. I recommend you to read | | | | reside indefinitely with a person who is already a |
| these carefully before proceeding ahead in your quest | | | | resident. It is issued to the immediate kin of a resident |
| to obtain a Dubai Visa. | | | | for 3 years. The residence visa becomes invalid if the |
| Always use your judgment. Follow the rules and | | | | resident remains out of the UAE for more than six |
| regulations of the United Arab Emirates government in | | | | months at a time. |
| regards to obtaining a Visa. Please always apply with | | | | Investor Visa: |
| the registered agents. | | | | A Dubai Visa is issued to expatriate investors entering |
| Types of Dubai Visa | | | | in partnership deals with locals, for a period of 3 years. |
| Entry Permit on Arrival: | | | | The foreign investor must hold a minimum stake of |
| Passport holders of the following countries can get | | | | AED 70,000 in the share capital. |
| free entry permit on arrival valid for 30 days: | | | | Employment Visa: |
| - Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) country citizens viz. | | | | A Dubai Visa is issued to Employees of a company in |
| Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, | | | | the UAE, by the Immigration Department to a foreign |
| entering the UAE with valid passports. | | | | national upon the approval of the Ministry of Labour. |
| - Resident visa holders from Arab Gulf Co-operation | | | | When the employee has entered UAE on the basis of |
| Council (AGCC) countries (certain designations only like | | | | the employment visa, the sponsor company arranges |
| businessmen, company managers and representatives, | | | | to transfer this visa to a residence visa. |
| auditors, accountants, doctors, engineers or employees | | | | Dubai Visa Requirements: |
| working in the public sector, their family members and | | | | - Passport and 2 photocopies |
| drivers and servants sponsored by them are eligible | | | | - 4 photographs |
| for this visa.) | | | | - Duplicate application form |
| - Passport holders of 34 countries viz. | | | | - Letter or fax from the sponsor in the UAE to the |
| - France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, | | | | concerned embassy |
| Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, | | | | - Letter from the applicant's company plus photocopy |
| Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, | | | | Important Tips: |
| Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San | | | | - A sponsor requires the visitor's date of arrival and |
| Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, | | | | flight details, and a photocopy of the first few pages |
| New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and | | | | of the visitor's passport which should be valid for at |
| Hong Kong. | | | | least three months. |
| This permit is renewable for 30 more days. The above | | | | - German citizens can get a 1 or 2 year multiple-entry |
| country citizens are also exempt from the refundable | | | | visa from the UAE Embassy in Germany. Sponsor not |
| deposit and health insurance rules. | | | | required. Max duration of stay cannot exceed 3 |
| Visit Visa: | | | | months a year. |
| - Dubai residents can apply for a 30 or 90 day | | | | - US citizens can get a 1 to 10 year multiple-entry visa |
| non-renewable visit visa for a spouse or blood | | | | (Free) from the UAE Embassy in USA. Sponsor is |
| relatives. The Dubai Visa applicant has to pay AED | | | | required. Max duration of stay cannot exceed 6 |
| 1000 refundable deposit and show proof of health | | | | months a visit. |
| insurance. | | | | - UK citizens can get a 1 to 2 year multiple-entry visa |
| - Emiratis are allowed to sponsor friends on visit visas | | | | (Free) from the UAE Embassy in Great Britain. |
| with approval from the authorities. | | | | Sponsor is required. Max duration of stay cannot |
| - Foreign wives of GCC citizens can obtain a Dubai | | | | exceed 6 months a visit. |
| visit visa if she holds a residence visa in the home | | | | Do's and Don'ts: |
| country of her husband. | | | | - The various types of Dubai Visa are valid for a |
| Tourist Visa: | | | | period of between 14 to 60 days from the issue date. |
| All nationalities can enter the UAE on a Tourist Visa. | | | | The person has to enter the country before this period, |
| Tourist visas for 30 days, renewable once for 30 | | | | else the visa expires. |
| days, can only be applied for through a licensed hotel, | | | | - If a Dubai Visa is valid for 30 days, that does not |
| travel or tourism agency. Tourists must be covered by | | | | convert to 1 month, as 1 month can consist of 31 days |
| health insurance. | | | | too. An extra day in this case can cost you AED 100 |
| Student Visa: | | | | as fine. |
| Student Visas are issued for 60 days and can be | | | | - Earlier, people used to come to Dubai on a visit visa, |
| renewed twice for a similar period. Students must be | | | | search for and secure a job, then as per rule had to |
| registered in one of the universities in the UAE and | | | | leave the country, and re-enter with an employment |
| must obtain health insurance. | | | | visa sponsored by their company. There were flights |
| Multiple Entry Visa: | | | | scheduled to take you to Kish Island and back. This |
| A Dubai Visa for Business travelers who are frequent | | | | has now been abolished as you can change your visit |
| visitors to the UAE and who have a relationship with a | | | | visa to employment by paying AED 500. |
| reputable company here can obtain a multiple entry | | | | NOTE: Dubai Visas can be sponsored by a travel |
| visa. This is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. | | | | agency, hotel, a company or department with which |
| However, each visit must not exceed 14 days. | | | | you are doing business in the UAE, an Emirati, or an |
| Visa for Expos & Conferences: | | | | expatriate individual (eg. a relative or friend resident in |
| A Dubai Visa to attend conferences, exhibitions or | | | | the UAE). |
| festivals can be obtained for a 30-day period. It is non | | | | Receive competitive price quotes from the leading |
| - renewable. | | | | Dubai Visa Services Providers. Genuine, & authorised |
| Mission Visa: | | | | by the UAE government. You can then obtain a Dubai |
| A Dubai Visa for the purpose of temporary work in | | | | Visa from the one that suits you best. |
| UAE can be obtained for a max of 180 days. It can be | | | | |