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Dubai is the city of glamour and grandeur and one of the most-visited cities on the globe. In the last few decades, the city has transformed from a desert to one of the best metropolitan areas on earth. As travelers, most of us would love to explore this luxurious destination and savor its incredible beauties. But to enter the boundaries of Dubai, UAE, you need to have a valid visa. Worry not! We are here to tell you everything you need to know about Dubai Visa information.
1. Dubai Visa Requirements
Visa Requirements For Gulf Countries
If you belong to the UAE or other Gulf countries, you do not need to apply for a visa to visit Dubai. However, if you are a working national and are staying with your family in a Gulf country, then you need to get a 30-Day Non-Renewable Visa, which is available at all the UAE airports.
The Gulf countries, otherwise known as GCC countries include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Visa Requirements For US Citizens
If you are a US Citizen and hold a regular passport, then you need not apply for Dubai visa in advance. You are eligible for a Visa-on-arrival. However, you must have a confirmed round-trip air ticket and original passport that doesn’t expire within 6 months from the date you arrive in the UAE. As per the Dubai Visa information for US citizens, the Dubai Visa provided allows you to stay in the city and other valid cities of the country for a maximum of 1 month.
Visa Requirements For Non-US Citizens
If you are not a US citizen, then you must be a citizen of the following countries to be eligible for a Visa-on-arrival facility. However, it is mandatory for everyone, irrespective of what country you belong to, to hold a passport that doesn’t expire within 6 months from the date of arrival in the UAE. You also need to have a confirmed round-trip air ticket to get a visa on arrival.
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Vatican City
Visa Requirements For Other Nationals
Dubai Visa information states that if you belong to any other nation, then you must apply for Dubai Visa in advance. For example, if you are from Pakistan, you can either contact Pakistan Embassy or any local UAE sponsor to get the work done
2. Types Of Dubai Visa
48-Hour Visa
Also known as a 48-hour transit visa, it is ideal for those who are traveling to the UAE but want to explore within the city. This visa is valid for 48 hours and can be extended up to 4 days on paying a certain fee.
96-Hour Visa
It is also a transit visa and is generally applied by those who want to stay in the UAE for a very short time. It is non-extendable and non-renewable and is valid only up to 96 hours.
14 Days Single Entry Visa
This visa is ideal for those who are on a trip to the UAE for business or vacation. It allows you to stay within the territories of the UAE for a maximum of 14 days. The visa is valid for 60 days counting from the issue date.
30 Days Single Entry Visa
If you are on a long trip to Dubai, then the 30-Day single entry visa is ideal for you. It is not extendable and is valid for 58 days. This visa allows you to stay in the UAE for 30 days.
90 Days Tourist Visa
90 days tourist visa is for those who look forward to conducting business with pleasure for a period of 3 months. This visa is valid for 58 days and can be extended twice for 30 days each.
Multi-Entry Short-term Visa
A multi-entry short-term visa allows you to enter and exit the UAE multiple times within the stay of 30 days. The visa is valid for 58 days and is extendable twice for 30 days each.
Multi-Entry Long-term Visa
Multi entry long-term visa allows you to enter and exit the UAE multiple times within the duration of 90 days. It is valid for 58 days and is extendable twice for 30 days each.
3. Types Of Dubai Residence Visa
Dubai residence visa is generally given to those who want to become a temporary citizen of the country. Let’s take a look at the different types of residence visas.
Employee Residence Visa
It is applied by those who get a job in Dubai. The entire paperwork is done by the employer. You just need to visit a clinic for medical tests.
Student Residence Visa
As the name suggests, this visa is given to those who want to study in Dubai. In this case, the paperwork is taken care of by the university or the college you are applying to. However, for primary and secondary level students, parents are responsible for the sponsorship.
Relatives Residence Visa
If you are an expatriate resident of the UAE, then you are eligible to get a relative’s residence visa for your parents, brother or sister.
Family Residence Visa
You can sponsor your husband/wife or children and get the family residence visa for them if you are working in the UAE and have a residence permit.
Maid Residence Visa
You can also sponsor a maid and get the maid residence visa if you have a residence permit in the UAE.
Investor Residence Visa
If you do not have any of the above-given options to go with but still want to live in Dubai, then you can invest a certain amount with a UAE company to get the Investor Residence Visa. This visa will allow you to stay in the country for 3 years.
4. Ways To Apply For Dubai Visa
Generally, there are 3 ways to apply for a Dubai Visa.
a) Online through VFS Global Website (or) UAE Govt. Website.
b) By contacting the respective embassy (consulate) or local UAE sponsors
c) By seeking relatives’ support in the UAE
Links To The Various Consulates in Dubai:
…..and many more.
5. Documents Required To Apply For Dubai Visa
The major documents that one needs to have to get the Dubai visa include:
- Visa application form
- Passport photographs
- Copy of flight tickets and accommodation details
- Passport copy of the sponsor
- Travel Insurance Copy
6. Dubai Visa Fees
This segment of Dubai Visa Information discloses the fees (last updated on Dec 2019) for different types of Dubai Visa.
Note: The fee given below is in USD and includes visa fee, service fee and incidental charge.
Dubai Visa Type | Dubai Visa Fee |
48-hour Transit Visa | 24.92 |
96-hour Transit Visa | 40.55 |
14 days Single Entry Visa | 126.06 |
30 Days Single Entry Visa | 97.59 |
90 Days Visit Visa | 197.61 |
Multi-Entry Long Term Visa | 492.24 |
Multi-Entry Short Term Visa | 207.44 |
A deposit of about $272.50 must be submitted before getting your visa approved. This amount is refunded once you fill the exit form and are done with the process.
You can also refer to the below-given table if you want to know about Dubai Visa Fees and Express Visa fees for Indian citizens. The amount provided here is in INR.
Dubai Visa Type | Dubai Visa Fee (INR) | Express Visa Fee (INR) |
48-hour Transit Visa | 820 | 2440 |
96-hour Transit Visa | 1850 | 3460 |
14 days Single Entry Visa | 8060 | 9675 |
30 Days Single Entry Visa | 5840 | 7455 |
90 Days Visit Visa | 14175 | |
Multi-Entry Long Term Visa | 34300 | |
Multi-Entry Short Term Visa | 13660 |
Note:
The time taken to process the normal visa ( 48-hour Visa, 96-hour Visa, 14 days single entry visa and 30 days single entry visa, 90 days visit visa, multi-entry short-term visa, and multi-entry long-term visa) is about 3-4 working days from the date of application submission.
The time taken to process express visa is about 36 hours from the time of application submission.
Dubai Residence Visa Fees
The basic Dubai residence visa fees per person include a sum of about AED 5000 for the security deposit, about AED 360 for a 3-year visa and AED 200 for medical tests. The total approximate amount is AED 5560.
7. How To Check Dubai Visa Status
You need to have the application number and the reference number to track the status of your Dubai Visa. Once you have the aforementioned numbers with you, you can go to the official page of the website. Fill in the required details. Click on ‘Search’.
8. Dubai Visa Application Cancellation/ Rejection
If your visa is rejected or you need to cancel the application under any circumstances, please keep in mind that the visa application fee is non-refundable. However, you would still be eligible to receive the refund of the security deposit.