Owing to strict bureaucratic procedures for issuing visas and permits, it is important for you to have a valid visa for immigrating in Dubai. Visa requirements for foreigners and citizens of the GCC countries are different. Also, carry your identification documents.

How To Get A Visa:

Whether you are visiting Dubai for jobs, stays, business trips, or holidays, you must have a valid visa. Hence, get visas with all clearances from concerned authorities keeping frequent changes of visa requirements in mind. Visit the UAE embassy personally or check the embassy’s website in your native country for updated information before leaving. For workers and job aspirants, employers will arrange the necessary visas and permits. Passport stamps on most visas and permits ensure legal formalities by the immigration authorities.

Types of Visa in UAE:

For the people visiting Dubai, there are four types of visas, depending on the purpose of the trip. Visit visa is for every visitor who stays in the city longer than 14 days. Transit visa for short stay business trips which is valid only for 96 hours. Multiple entry visas for business visitors, which is valid for 6 months. And residence visa which is valid for 3 years.

Visit Visa:

This type of visa is applied to all visitors who stay in Dubai longer than 14 days. Such visitors need to produce medical insurance on demand. Interestingly, GCC nationals may enter Dubai without a visa. People from Australia, Andorra, Austria, Brunei, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, The Vatican, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US are eligible for an on-arrival visa.

Transit Visa:

Valid for 96 hours, this visa is needed by travelers who are stopping at Dubai International Airport for at least 8 hours. On meeting the following conditions, one can have this visa:

• A passport valid for at least 3 months
• Any sponsorship by an airline only
• The 3 rd destination must be booked

Multiple Entry Visa:

This visa is for frequent business visitors and it is valid for 6 months for stays of up to 30 days at a time on the UAE land. A holder of this visa must have ties with a reputable local or multinational company. Fee for this non-renewable visa is AED 1000 (Amount Can be confirmed from Official Websites). This sort of visa can be possessed only after a visit visa.

Residence Visa:

For all foreign workers willing to work in Dubai, a residence visa and ‘labour card’ is officially needed. This visa is valid for 3 years and is easy to renew. Non-westerners have to pass through an extensive examination than westerners. Workers need to carry this visa all times as an identity card as their passports have been surrendered to their employers.