This Article contains information on the United Arab Emirates, UAE Visa Application and Immigration Requirements: 2019. The United Arab Emirates is an Arabian Peninsula nation settled mainly along the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. The country is a federation of 7 emirates. Abu Dhabi, the island capital, is home to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with crystal chandeliers and room for 40,000 worshipers. Dubai is the site of ultramodern Burj Khalifa tower, enormous shopping centers and extravagant entertainment attractions.
Yearly, many people travel to United Arab Emirates for numerous reasons either for tourism, business, study, visit or immigration. Depending on the purpose of the trip to United Arab Emirates, there are different types of visas that apply to the occasion.
So before applying for a United Arab Emirates visa, it is necessary to know the United Arab Emirates visa requirements and which of the visa category that you are eligible for.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS AND VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR A UAE VISA APPLICATION
Visa requirement for US citizens
American citizens who have regular passports do not need to have a visa to visit the UAE. However, please make sure you fulfil following criteria’s:
- Original passport signed by the bearer, should not expire within six (6) months from the expected time of arrival in the UAE.
- Confirmed round-trip airline ticket or airline ticket to other destination(s).
The visas are available upon arrival at the UAE airports and the American citizens can stay for 1 month in the UAE. However, if you are going to stay longer, you have to contact the immigration officer at the airport or the local immigration office in the UAE and apply for the same.
Visa requirement for Non-US citizens
It is mandatory that your original passport (not a travel document), should not get expired within 6 months from the expected date of arrival in the UAE.
- Confirm round-trip airline ticket or airline ticket to other destination.
- If you are a citizen of one of the following countries:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Kuwait, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (Except the British overseas citizens), Vatican. - Upon your arrival to UAE airports, the visas will be granted to you. This also includes those who hold visas in their passports or entry stamps from other countries and visa is valid for a one (1) month stay in the UAE. However, if you are going to stay longer, you have to contact the immigration officer at the airport or the local immigration office in the UAE and apply for the same.
The visas are available upon arrival at the UAE airports and the American citizens can stay for 1 month in the UAE. However, if you are going to stay longer, you have to contact the immigration officer at the airport or the local immigration office in the UAE and apply for the same.
Visa requirements for GCC nationals
The citizens of GCC countries i.e. the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, do not require a visa to visit the UAE.
The GCC residents who are not the national citizens but are working as high-level official such as doctors, managers, engineers or public sector employees along with their families can have a 30-day non-renewable visa at all the airports in the UAE upon arrival.
Visa requirements for other nationalities
Tourists from all the other nationalities must apply for a visa before they enter the country. They can do so through their respective embassy, a local UAE sponsor or even a local hotel in the UAE.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE MOST FREQUENT PURPOSES OF THE UAE VISA APPLICATION
Visit Visa
Tourists who wish to stay in the UAE for more than 14 days or those coming on family or business visits can apply for Visit Visas. These are valid for either 30 days (short term visit visa) or 90 days (long term visit visa). Both visas are non-renewable. Apart from the visa fees, a deposit is to be paid by the local sponsor/relative/resident which is reimbursed after the Visit Visa holder has left the country.
90-Day Long-Term Visit Visa for individuals is valid for 60 days from the issue date and non-renewable. Valid for 90 days from the arrival date and non-renewable
30-Day Short-Term Visit Visa for individuals is valid for 30 days from the issue date and non-renewable. Valid for 30 days from the arrival date and non-renewable
Tourist Visa
The Tourist Visa is a special category under the Visit Visa type and entitles the holder to a 30-day stay and in non-renewable. If visa holder of the Tourist Visa stays for more than 30 days, that person has to pay a fine per day plus some charges for an out pass.
Multiple-entry Visa
Multiple-entry Visas are issued to cruise ship passengers since their schedule entitles them to enter the country more than once in a single trip. Such visas are also issued to business visitors who are frequent visitors to the UAE due to their ties with a multinational company or a reputable local company. Multiple-entry Visas are valid for six months from the date of issue and the duration of each stay is 30 days. The visa is non-renewable. The individual must enter the UAE on a Visit Visa and then obtain a Multiple-entry Visa.
Transit Visa
Transit passengers stopping at the UAE airports for a minimum of 8 hours are eligible for a 96 hour Transit Visa. A valid onward ticket is required. Passport and other travel documents should be valid for at least three months.
Documents required (Individuals):
- Clear passport copy of the sponsor
- Clear passport copy of the sponsored person
- A copy of the salary certificate or employment contract of the sponsor (resident) must be attached
- Proof of family relationship (kinship)
- Travel insurance
- Copy of confirmed flight booking
- Bank approval letter
- Passport-sized colour photographs
- Visa fee
- Visa application form, duly filled
*Note: When applying at the United Arab Emirates embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.
Please consult the United Arab Emirates Embassy in your country for the updated United Arab Emirates Visa requirements!
