What is a Visa?
A visa for the UAE is a sticker or stamp placed on a passport that allows the holder to enter the UAE. It is an official government document which allows an individual to enter or leave a country for a certain period of time. While the specifics vary from country to country, the process of issuing visas is typically quite similar.
Visa applications consist of multiple documents and are typically processed by immigration officers at an embassy or consulate. The application is then forwarded to the central government where it is approved or denied; in most cases, it is approved. However, some applications are not approved for a variety of reasons (e.g., a criminal record, lack of proof of sufficient funds, etc.).
The visa is then sent back to the embassy or consulate where it was processed, allowing the applicant to pick it up and use it to travel internationally.
Types of UAE Visas
UAE has a number of different visas for expats depending on their situation and what they’re looking for.
A Dubai visa is categorized as Entry Visa or a Residence Visa.
Entry Visa
An Entry visa authorizes you to spend a limited time in Dubai, usually 30 days.
Residence Visa
While a Residence Visa authorizes you to stay in UAE for an indefinite period of time.
Entry visas have three categories:
- Transit
- Tourist
- Visit Visas.
You can also get special Entry Visas through companies such as airlines or cruise ships. These Entry Visas are for specific purposes, such as business, leisure, tourism, etc. In most cases, entry visas can only be used once. There is an exception to this rule, however; transit visas (which are required if you are flying through Dubai before continuing on to another destination) can be used multiple times until your final flight departs from the UAE.
Some other important types of visas are:
Temporary Residence Visas
Temporary residence visas are issued to foreign workers who are employed in the UAE. The visa may be granted for a period of one or two years. In order to apply for this type of visa, the employer must submit an application to the labor department or immigration department, depending on the Emirate.
The validity of this type of visa is two years for those who are on contract and one year for those who are on probation period by their companies.
Family Visas
Family visas in UAE are only issued for a limited period of time, and even that may be difficult to get. The main requirement is that the family members must have either a job or an investment in the country. Once you have a job, you can apply for a family visa for your family members. If you are unable to find a job, then you might want to consider investing in real estate or Start a Business in Dubai with partners. In any case, your family members will need to prove their worth and their ability to support themselves in the country if they want their visa to be renewed.
Employment Visas
In order to be eligible for an employment visa, candidates must be sponsored by a local entity, which will act as the applicant’s sponsor for the duration of their employment visa.
Employment visas are issued for a period of two years and can be renewed indefinitely with the approval of the candidate’s sponsor.
Investor and Business Owner Visas
This type of visa is intended for investors and businessmen who want to Establish a Business in UAE. In this regard, there is no need to submit any documents for application of such visas. If a person invests a minimum amount of money as per the requirements, he or she can easily get this type of visa. This type of visa is issued for five years, which can be extended further.
Who Can Apply for a UAE Visa?
Many people are wondering whether they can get a Dubai Tourist Visa. Non-UAE and non-GCC passport holders, who meet the eligibility criteria, can apply for tourist visa and stay in the UAE for up to 30 days.
Most people that travel to the UAE are just tourists and visitors. Tourists and visitors are not allowed to work, or reside in the country without possessing a valid residence visa from the UAE Immigration Department or sponsorship from an employer.
Those who wish to apply for a Dubai Tourist Visa must provide specific documents and satisfy certain requirements for eligibility.
As part of the UAE, Dubai has an open-door policy and welcomes tourists from all around the world. However, visa requirements apply and a visitor’s visa can only be obtained if you are travelling in accordance with a valid passport and no criminal record.
As a general rule, anybody who is planning to come to Dubai for business or for employment purposes must have a work permit issued by the UAE Ministry of Labour prior to travelling. Trips to Dubai for medical treatment will also require pre-approval from the Health Authority – Dubai prior to your visit.
Who is Eligible for a Dubai Visa?
The general eligibility requirements are as follows:
- valid passport with at least six months remaining before expiration
- have never held a residence permit or work visa in the UAE
- proof of sufficient funds
- meet medical certification requirements
- And be able to prove that they will not overstay their visas.
How to Apply for a Dubai Visa?
The Dubai Visa is a special visa issued to the citizens of certain countries, allowing them to enter and stay in Dubai for the period of time specified on their visa. If you are a student or work with a UAE company, you may need to apply for a different type of visa. Please contact your consulate for more information.
To apply for a Dubai Visa, you will need:
- A passport valid for 6 months at least (you may not be able to travel back with an expired passport)
- A completed application form
- 2 passport photos taken within the last 3 months
- A processing fee (check with your consulate to find out how much it is)
The majority of countries require non-citizens who intend to stay longer than 90 days to apply for a visa before they travel to Dubai. In addition, they will also need a confirmed return ticket, proof of funds and adequate clothing.
The following are the steps that must be followed in order to apply for a visa:
- The applicant must first complete an application form which is available at the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing office or at any of the designated Visa Application Centers around the world.
- Once completed, an appointment should be made with one of the Visa Application Centers or with Dubai Immigration Authority at Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority Building. The supporting documents below (see list) must be presented at this time:
- An application receipt as evidence that an online application has been submitted by the applicant’s sponsor, or letter from the sponsor confirming their willingness to sponsor them if there was no online application submission;
- A copy of passport identification page;
- A copy of passport pages containing any previous visas issued by any other country;
- Original passport and copies;
- Two recent passport photographs with blue background on a white background;
- Evidence of employment Letter from employer stating that they are in need of your services and they will sponsor your visit
Read Also: How to Get a Freelance Visa in Dubai?
How To Apply For Dubai Visa Online?
Do you want to visit Dubai, UAE? You can apply for Dubai visa online. Here are the steps:
- Go to the Dubai government official website or click here .
- Click on the link “Passports & Visa” and select Visa on the left side of the screen.
- Select “Apply for a new visa” on the right side of the screen.
- Click on “applications” and then click “Apply for a new visa”.
- Select your country of residence and enter your personal details in the required fields under “New Application”. Then, click Continue.
- Read through the information regarding the application process, terms and conditions and privacy policy then click Accept to continue.
- You will be prompted to create an account or sign in if you already have one. Enter your username and password and click Continue then Accept to continue registration.
- Choose your payment method from credit card, cash or bank transfer and fill out your billing information carefully (it is recommended that you read all instructions before proceeding). Click Continue after filling up this form and accept Terms & Conditions to continue with payment method selection. If you are paying from a different country, be sure to review conversion rates before you proceed with
What is Visa Application?
UAE Visa application is a very important step in your journey to the UAE, whether for employment or pleasure purposes.
If you’re planning to visit another country, you will inevitably need a visa. Visas are documents that must be acquired before you leave for your destination country. To acquire a visa, you will have to apply for one at the embassy of the country in which you plan to go.
In order to acquire a Visa, you must fill out a form. The online application form gathers basic information about your trip and checks to see if there’s any potential problems with your planned travel. You’re given a barcode as part of the application process that you’ll need when applying at the embassy or consulate of your destination country.
Mandatory Requirements for UAE Visa
All visitors coming to Dubai require a visa. Below are the mandatory requirements for obtaining a visa:
- All visitors over 6 months old need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Dubai;
- The applicant’s passport must have at least 2 blank pages;
- Four copies of the application form DS-160 (In Arabic or English);
- One passport-size color photograph taken within the last 6 months (Glasses and hats are not allowed in the picture);
- One copy of flight itinerary/reservation to and from Dubai;
- A copy of hotel reservation if staying at hotel in Dubai;
- If you are planning to work for a company, a letter from the company indicating your position and salary;
- Confirmation of your residence address by a valid UAE ID card or Emirates ID;
- A copy of NOC from your employer if you are employed in another country.
- A clean criminal records check from concerned country’s embassy in UAE.
Conclusion
UAE is an Islamic country that is open to all the people of the world, and there are no restrictions on any nationality coming to UAE. However, in order to enter the country any person needs to have a valid visa in their passport or residence permit. A visa shows that you have permission from the immigration authorities to enter a country for a specific purpose and for a certain period of time. It simply states that you are allowed in UAE as long as your visa is valid.
Applying for a UAE visa is more tedious than applying for a Schengen visa; however, there are some methods to make the process smoother. Also, more than one entry can be offered at the same time, but each entry must be requested and paid for separately.
UAE is one of the topmost countries in the world which attract vastly number of expats due to their better income, lifestyle, facilities and international standards. Following this logic, UAE attracts more and more people to settle down in the country and many generations are now living there. People from different parts of the world move to UAE for different purposes but mostly for job purpose.
