The main entry requirement of obtaining a visa
in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai,
Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) are that your
passport is valid for at least 2-6 months before your arrival. Information
about the various UAE visa categories are explained in detail below.
Visit Visas
A visit visa applies to tourists who wish to
spend more than 14 days in the UAE, whether it is to visit relatives or for
business purposes. 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.
British Citizens
Residents of the UK, with the right to abide
in the United Kingdom, may obtain a free visa on arrival, which is valid for 60
days and can be renewed for an additional 30 days for Dhs. 500 (US$ 137). Holders
of the British Overseas Citizens Passport, who dont have the right to abide in
the UK, will also obtain the free visa.
33 Privileged Countries
There are 33 countries that are given the same
on arrival free UAE visa on arrival similar to UK citizens. These countries
include citizens of France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland,
Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra,
San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States (US), Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. A new law was passed on March
31st 2003, where the citizens of these 33 countries can only obtain a one-month
non-renewable visit visa on arrival, which costs Dhs. 100 (US$ 28). Though the
government officially passed this law, it does not seem to be always
implemented.
Other Nationalities (Tourist Visas)
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 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 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 require that the visitor
fill out a visa application form and submit it to the sponsor along with a
first few pages of their passport. With these details, the sponsor can apply
for a tourist visa, 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 atleast one hour before the visitor's flight arrivals,
which will cost Dhs. 10 (US$ 3) for processing.
Below are the main categories of Visas to enter UAE.....
Entry Service Permit
Visit Visa
Tourist Visa
Multiple Entry Visa
Transit Visa
Below are the main categories of Visas to enter UAE.....
Entry Service Permit
Visit Visa
Tourist Visa
Multiple Entry Visa
Transit 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. This visa is also available for nationalities authorized to obtain a tourist visa.
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. This visa is also available for nationalities authorized to obtain a tourist visa.
Visit Visas
The Visit Visa for tourists is applicable for 60 days and is used especially for those coming for family visits as well as those on long-term business visits.
It requires the sponsorship of any UAE citizen/resident or company/hotel licensed to operate within the UAE. A refundable AED 2,000 guarantee from expatriates who wish to sponsor distant relatives is required.
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.
The Visit Visa for tourists is applicable for 60 days and is used especially for those coming for family visits as well as those on long-term business visits.
It requires the sponsorship of any UAE citizen/resident or company/hotel licensed to operate within the UAE. A refundable AED 2,000 guarantee from expatriates who wish to sponsor distant relatives is required.
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.
Tourist Visas
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 who are not entitled to be issued with a visa on arrival as well as visitors and tourists from Thailand, South Africa and China.
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.
Multiple-Entry Visas
Multiple-entry Visas are available for business visitors who have a relationship with either a multinational or other reputable local establishments, and who 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 would be stamped on the passport.
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 who are not entitled to be issued with a visa on arrival as well as visitors and tourists from Thailand, South Africa and China.
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.
Multiple-Entry Visas
Multiple-entry Visas are available for business visitors who have a relationship with either a multinational or other reputable local establishments, and who 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 would be stamped on the passport.
Transit Visas
This type of visa is a 4-day (96 hour) visa,
which is issued by sponsorship of an airline operating in the United Arab
Emirates. 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 normally free of cost.
Documents Required:
o
Typed Application form
o
A copy of the sponsor’s
passport & family member's passport
o
1 photo of the family member
(may be required)
o
Marriage contract attested
from Ministry of Foreign Affairs or UAE Embassy (for sponsoring a wife or
husband)
o
Attested birth certificates
(for sponsoring children)
o
Relationship proof attested
from the Embassy (in case relationship cannot be proved from family names in
sponsor and relative's passport)
o
Attested work contract if the
sponsor is working in a private company or a salary certificate if working in
government.
o Traveler Insurance.
Submission Procedure:
o
Go to any authorized typing
office & get application form typed.
o
Go to Department of
Naturalization and Residency, Abu Dhabi & submit along with your
documents to Visa Section.
o
On approval of all the
documents you will be given a sequence number to collect the Visa Permit. This
can be immediate or nexy day depending on the type of application submitted
either URGENT or NORMAL.
o
Send either original or copy to your relative. If only copy was sent, then deposit original at the airport or the VISA counter at Abu Dhabi Airport. It is advisable to deposit visa giving sufficient time for flight to land.
Any overstaying fines are paid on departure - allow AED 100 for overstaying plus AED 200 per day.
Send either original or copy to your relative. If only copy was sent, then deposit original at the airport or the VISA counter at Abu Dhabi Airport. It is advisable to deposit visa giving sufficient time for flight to land.
Any overstaying fines are paid on departure - allow AED 100 for overstaying plus AED 200 per day.
o
Entry day and exit day are
counted, and remember that the "one month visa" is actually only
valid for 30 days
o
After the guest has left, the
sponsor needs to go back to the immigration department where the visit visa was
issued, and present their deposit receipt to get a refund. Their computer
system will be automatically updated when the visitor departs, proof of
departure should not be needed.
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