Visas and more...
This article will outline some useful guidelines to different types of visas and how to obtain them. There are different types of visas:
§ Visit visa/entry visa
§ Tourist visa
§ 14 day transit visa
§ 96 hour transit visa
OBTAINING A VISIT VISA
a) On Arrival:
If you are a passport holder of any of the following countries, you can obtain a visit visa upon arrival:
Andorra
Hong Kong
Portugal
Australia
Iceland
San Marino
Austria
Ireland
Singapore
Belgium
Italy
South Korea
Brunei
Japan
Spain
Canada
Liechtenstein
Sweden
Denmark
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Finland
Malaysia
UK
France
Monaco
USA
Germany
Netherlands
Vatican
Greece
Norway
All you need is your passport and your visit visa will be valid 60 days from date of entry and is renewable for additional 30 days. Your purpose of visit can not be do paid or unpaid work while in Dubai. Once you have landed at the Dubai airport, go to Passport Control, Dubai International Airport and a visit visa will be stamped on your passport. You can also obtain a temporary driving license at this point if needed.
b) Before Arrival:
If you are from a country not listed in the table above, you will have to apply for a visit visa before you come to Dubai. You can have a company, or a person (friend, family member, relative), sponsor you and, if approved, you can stay in Dubai for up to 90 days. Your sponsor’s monthly salary must be at least Dhs.4,000 plus housing or a total of Dhs.5,000.
Visit visa is valid for one entry for 60 days from date of entry and renewable for an additional 30 days. If you overstay your visit, you will have to pay a fine of Dhs.100 plus Dhs.100 each overstayed day. You will have to pay the fine before you leave.
Fees:
Visa Fee: Dhs.100
Typing Fee: Dhs.10
Urgent charge (if applicable): Dhs.100
Visa deposit fee: Dhs.10
Passport is required
i) If a company is sponsor, you will require:
Two application forms typed in English/Arabic (download from http://www.dnrd.gov.ae/)
A letter indicating the reason and purpose of visit (proof of relationship may be required)
Copy of trade license
One original and one copy of immigration card
One original and one copy of representative card
Your profession as per Immigration Department codes (http://www.dnrd.gov.ae/)
ii) If a person is sponsor, you will require:
Two application forms typed in English and Arabic
Original and copy of sponsor’s employment contract
Copy of sponsor’s tenancy agreement unless accommodation is provided by his/her employer
Original and copy of sponsor’s marriage certificate if applicable
Process for Sponsor:
Purchase an e-Dirham card and go to a typing office, usually near the immigration department. The typist will fill in the application forms for you. Pay the application and typing fees. Go to the Immigration Department (Saturday – Wednesday 7:30am – 12:00pm (submissions); 12:00pm – 14:30pm (collections))
Submit all documents at the visa section of the Department of Naturalisation
Obtain a ticket; return a minimum two hours after submission to collect the visa
Fax a copy to the visitor and keep a copy
Deposit the original at the visa counter in the airport (next to the arrivals hall) at least two hours before the arrival of the visitor and have the copy stamped.
Pay visa deposit fee at bank counter
The visitor will exchange his/her copy of the visa for the original at the Immigration desk upon arrival in the airport
OBTAINING A TOURIST VISA
If your nationality is not listed in the table above, you can obtain a tourist visa from your hotel, airline, travel agency or tourism company for maximum of 30 days in Dubai.
Fees:
Visa Application Fee: Dhs.100
Urgent Charge (if required): Dhs.100
Hotel Service Charge: Dhs.50 (maximum)
Passport is required
Process for Visitor:
Make reservation with the hotel, airline, travel agency or tourism company.
Send all documents, including credit card details, by fax or mail to the hotel or tour operator
Usually you will receive a copy of the visa after seven days and the original visa will be placed at the airport.
Once you arrive at the Dubai International Airport, submit your copy of the visa and obtain the original visa from the Immigration desk.
Important Points: If you have been sponsored by a hotel, you must stay at the hotel which arranged the visa for you. The length of stay depends on the hotel’s policy. You must have a copy of the visa to board the flight to Dubai. Your passport must be valid at least three months longer than the visa expiry date. This visa is non renewable or extendable.
OBTAINING A TRASIT/MISSION VISA
This visa also known as an Entry Service Permit is issued to company visitors who are staying for a minimum of 14 days in the UAE. It is not required for GCC Citizens or nationals listed in the table above. This visa is non-renewable.
Prerequisite:
You must have a return ticket and valid passport
You must belong to a professional job category
Required:
Two application forms
Copy of trade license
Copy of passport
Original and copy of transit visa card
Fees:
Visa Application Charge: Dhs.120
Urgent Charge: Dhs.100
Visa Deposit Fee: Dhs.10
Process for Sponsor:
Purchase an e-Dirham card and go to a typing office, usually near the immigration department. The typist will fill in the application forms for you. Pay the application and typing fees. Sponsor must sign and seal application forms before submittal. Go to IND, Dubai Airport Free Zone (Saturday – Wednesday 7:30am – 12:00pm & 2:00pm – 4:30pm (submissions); 1:30pm – 6:30pm (collections))
All documents must be submitted 48 hours before the visitor’s arrival
Collect the tourist visa minimum two hours after submission
Fax a copy to the visitor and make a copy of the visa
Submit original at visa counter in the airport (next to the Arrivals Hall) minimum two hours before the visitor’s arrival, have the copy stamped and pay the visa deposit fee
Visitor must exchange his/her copy for the original upon arrival at the Immigration desk at the airport.
96 HOUR TRANSIT VISA:
This visa is issued by airlines only if the flight schedule forces the passenger to spend extended time in Dubai waiting for connection flights. This visa will allow the traveler to stay for up to 96 hours in the UAE. The Immigration Authority stamps the traveler’s passport and states the relevant information on it.
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