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VISA
Thee UAE authorities have taken many steps to
make the visa process as straightforward as possible. Apart from the
fact that citizens of 39 countries (i.e. GCC nationals plus
nationals of listed countries) do not require visas prior to arrival
at a UAE airport, there are efficient systems in place to facilitate
visitors not falling into one of the above categories. If you are
coming to work in the UAE you will require a visa that can only be
obtained on your behalf by your employer or sponsor.
As noted above, the kind of visa that you
require for entry into the UAE depends on several different factors
such as your nationality, the purpose of your planned visit and its
planned duration. Please read the following notes carefully. .
Regulations do change from time so do not rely on these details for
complete accuracy. You should also check with your airline and
regional UAE embassy or consulate.
- If
you are a national citizen of a GCC country you do not require a
visa to visit the UAE. You will simply need to produce your GCC
country passport upon arrival at the point of entry into the UAE
- The following
categories of visitors may receive their visit visa at the airport,
upon arrival.
1.
AGCC
Residents
who are not GCC nationals but who have a
high professional status such as company managers, business people,
auditors, accountants, doctors, engineers, pharmacists, or employees
working in the public sector, their families, drivers and personal
staff sponsored by them, are eligible for a non-renewable 30-day
visa upon arrival at the approved ports of entry.
2.
National citizens of the following countries:
UK(with the right of abode in UK), France, Italy, Germany, the
Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden,
Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco,
Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia,
South Korea and holders of Hong Kong SAR passports will be granted a
free of charge visa for a single visit upon arrival in the UAE. It
should be noted that this list may vary slightly from time to time
and it is therefore best to check with your local UAE embassy or the
airline that you are using to fly to the UAE.
- If you do NOT fall into one of the above
categories, you will require a visa and a sponsor for your visit.
The sponsor normally applies for the visa on your behalf.
Valid sponsors
may be as follows:-
a - Hotels &
Tourist Companies can apply, on your behalf, for a Tourist Visa
(valid for 30 days); or a Service Visa (valid for 14 days); or a
Visit Visa (valid for 30 days and can be extended for other 30 days)
b -
Airlines & Airline Handlers apply on behalf of their crew members
for a 96-hour Transit Visa.
c -
Other Organizations based in the UAE may only apply for Visit Visas
and Service Visas.
d -
Individuals (Relatives or Friends) already resident in the UAE may,
subject to guidelines, also apply on your behalf for a Visit Visa.
Entry
Service Permit
An Entry Service Permit applies to the
following categories and their families accompanying them: company
manager’s representatives, sales managers, account auditors,
delegations from companies or establishments to carry out a
commercial activity in the UAE, consultants requested by companies
operating in the UAE that are required to carry out an urgent task.
This visa is valid for use within 14 days from
the date of issue. The duration of stay is 14 days from date of
entry, exclusive of arrival and departure days. It is non-renewable.
In order to complete the application, the
sponsor will require the visitor’s date of arrival and flight
details, and a photocopy of the first few pages of the visitor’s
passport which should be valid for at least three months. This type
of entry permit will only be issued as urgent at a fee of AED 220.
The Entry Service Permit holder may enter and
depart the UAE through any airport.
Visit
Visa
The Visit Visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14
days in UAE, those coming for family visits as well as those on
long-term business visits. It requires the sponsorship of any UAE
resident or any company or hotel licensed to operate within the UAE.
A refundable AED 2,000 guarantee from expatriates who wish to
sponsor distant relatives is imposed.
This visa is valid for entry within two months
from its date of issue.
The Visit Visa is valid for 60 days and is
renewable for a total stay of up to 90 days. A fee of AED 500 is
charged for this renewal.
In order to complete the application, the
sponsor will require the visitor’s date of arrival and arrival
details and a photocopy of the first few pages of the visitor’s
passport, which must be valid for at least three months. There is a
fee of AED 100 for obtaining a visit visa. There is also a fee of
AED 10 for visa delivery service by DNATA. Hotels, hotel apartments,
tour operators, travel agents and airlines may not levy
supplementary charges or processing fees in excess of AED 50/- for
arranging visas for visitors.
The Visit Visa holder may enter and leave the
country through any port of entry in the UAE.
Tourist
Visa
A special category of visas under the Visit Visa type is a Tourist
Visa, which can be obtained for individual tourists from: East and
West Europe, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, Albania, Russia, the
Hellenic Republic, St Kitts-Navis, St Lucia, Mexico, Cuba, Bermuda,
Belize, Guyana, French Guiana, Martinique, Antigua and Barbuda, St
Vincent, Kingston, Palao other non-defined American nationalities,
Thailand, South Africa, Singapore, China, Malta, Cyprus.
The Tourist Visa entitles its holder to a 30
day stay and is non-renewable. The Tourist Visa requires the
sponsorship of hotels and tour operators who bring in visitors from
the above listed countries. The fee is AED 100. There is also a fee
of AED 10 for visa delivery service by DNATA. Hotels, hotel
apartments, tour operators, travel agents and airlines may not levy
supplementary charges or processing fees in excess of AED 50/- for
arranging visas for visitors.
Multiple
Entry Visas
Multiple-entry Visas are issued to
business visitors who have a relationship with either a
multinational or other reputable local company, and who are frequent
visitors to the UAE. This type of visa is valid for six months from
the date of issue and the duration of each stay is 30 days. The
validity is non-renewable. The cost of this visa is AED 1,000.
The visitor must enter the UAE on a visit visa
and obtain the multiple entry visa while in the country. The visa is
stamped on the passport.
Transit
Visa
Transit passengers stopping at Dubai
International Airport for a minimum of 8 hours and meeting the
certain conditions mentioned below are eligible for obtaining a
96-hour transit visa. These conditions are as follow:
Airlines sponsored only (prior arrangements
maybe required)
Applications
should have confirmed onward booking to the 3rd destination
For transit
passengers or those holding special permits, or for visit or
mission, the passport or the document must be valid for at least
three months
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible for the 96
hours visa on arrival:
Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, and Yemen.
The transit visas for passengers arriving at
Dubai International Airport can be arranged by Emirates Airline for
its passengers or by Marhaba Services for those travelling on other
airlines. Marhaba Services Tel: 00971 4 2162657; 2164629
email: marhaba@emirates.co
German
Citizens
The German citizens (tourists and business people) may apply to the
UAE embassy in Germany for a one or two year multiple-entry visa. No
sponsor is required. The maximum duration of stay of visa holders
should not exceed three months a year. The visa fee is AED 1,500
US
Citizens
The US citizens (tourists and business people) may apply to the UAE
embassies in the US for one to ten year multiple-entry visas. A
sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The
maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months a visit
Information that you will need to apply for a Visa
We suggest that you enquire through your airline whether you require
a visa to be issued in your passport prior to flying to the UAE and
also check with your nearest UAE Embassy or Consulate.
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS in the UAE
Abu Dhabi
Saeed
bin Tahnoon St.
Abu Dhabi
Tel: 02
4462244
Al Ain
Aditaba
Road, near Dubai Islamic Bank, opposite Carrefour supermarket.
Tel: 03
7625555
Dubai
Department of Naturalization and Residency, Trade Centre Road, near
Bur Dubai Police Station
Tel: 04
3980000
Sharjah
Department for Naturalization and Residence, near General Post
Office
Tel: 06
5726777
Umm al-Qaiwain
Tel: 06 7666419
Ajman
Tel: 06 7422255
Ra's as-Khaimah
Tel: 07 2273333
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