Guide in Getting a UAE Visa

The procedures for getting a visa to enter the UAE are relatively simple and hassle-free. And if all documents are in order, then the visa is issued within 72 hours. In urgent cases, visas can also be issued within a day.

Two Types of Visas
For tourists, there are broadly two types of Visas - Visit Visas and Transit Visas - and they are issued depending on the duration of stay requested.

1. Visit Visas
A visit visa applies to tourists who desire to stay more than 14 days in the UAE, whether to visit relatives or for business purposes. The categories given below identify whether an individual requires avisit visa before arrival or whether one can be issued 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 visa upon arrival.
• UK 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 ($137).
• 33 Privileged Countries - Like the UK citizens, there are 33 countries that can also avail of a free UAE visa. These include the 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. However, a new law was passed on March 31st 2003, stating that the citizens of these 33 countries can only obtain a one-month non-renewable visit visa on arrival, which costs Dhs.100 ($28). Though the government officially passed this law, it is not implemented at all times.
• 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 toobtain 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 you are a staying at the hotel, and they will hold your passport until all hotel payments are cleared. Procedures involved in issuing atourist visa require that you provide your sponsor with your arrival details and a photocopy of the first few pages of your passport. With these details, the sponsor can apply for atourist visa, which will cost Dhs. 100 ($28) and take around 7 days to issue. Your sponsor must deposit your tourist visa at the airport immigration at least one hour before your flight's arrival, which will cost Dhs.10 ($3) to process.

2. Transit Visas
A transit visa is a 4-day (96 hour) visa, which is issued by sponsorship of an airline operating in the UAE. This can only be issued if you have a valid ticket for an onward flight nevertheless, the issuing of these are free of cost.

Other Visas

There are two other types of visas issued by the U.A.E. government. The first is a 14-day visa, also known as an Entry Service Permit. This visa must be sponsored by a U.A.E. company or hotel and will take 2 weeks to issue.

The second is a Multiple Entry Visa, which is useful for individuals who frequently visit the UAE and who have a relationship with a reputable company in the UAE. Valid for six months from date of issue, each visit must not exceed 30 days in total. This visa costs Dh1000. The visitor must enter the UAE on a visit visa and obtain the multipleentry visa while in the country.

German citizens (both tourists and business visitors) may apply to the UAE embassy in Germany for one or two year multiple-entry visa. No sponsor is required. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed three months a year. The visa fee is Dh1500.

US citizens may apply to the UAE embassy 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 per visit.

Renewals

The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) renews the Visit Visa at its expiry date if the sponsor so decides. Renewals can be made by exiting and re-entering the country to gain an exit stamp and a new entry stamp on the passport or by paying the extension fee of Dhs 500 (US$137) at the DNRD. If you overstay your visit visa, there's a ten day grace period in which to leave the country. After that period, each day overstayed will attract a fine of Dhs. 100 (US$28).

Overstaying
A penalty charge of Dhs.100 ($28) per day is imposed on visitors who overstay. If the overstay extends to a significant amount of time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what penalties shall be given.
Issuing Authority

The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) is the sole administrative authority of the Ministry of Interior that deals with issuing visas to foreigners visiting the country. Most visas issued in the UAE are issued through the Dubai International Airport and are sometimes mistakenly referred to as a Dubai visa. Most Dubaivisas are issued during the various events sponsored by the Dubai government, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises. With this, the visa requirements are minimized and obtaining one is a lot easier.