UAE Visa types

29 July 2008 - New visa rules start

29 July 2008 - New visa rules apply from 07:30 this morning (as opposed to 01 August 2008 as previously stated). Conflicting reports in the press, based on conflicting statements from various officials, has left everyone confused. If you're from one of the 33 free-visa-on-arrival countries, you'll probably have an easier time of it. Bring money for visa fees, patience, and politeness, and assume visa rules will be implemented randomly depending on the mood of the official you're dealing with at the entry point or visa office. Some of the more common visa questions follow (there are no definitive answers yet, just guesses, since even the authorities keep saying different things):

Countries that were previously allowed a visa on arrival (see list below) for free will probably still get that, but it might be 30 days instead of 60 days. Or, your passport is stamped 30 days but it's still valid for 60 days.
Visa runs might still be allowed, but may be restricted to nationals of the free-visa-on-arrival nationalities. This conflicts with another report that visa renewals have to be done from the home country. Again, it might be a differentiation depending on nationality.
Sponsoring friends and distant relatives is unclear. It may be a variable rule depending on salary, profession, nationality, etc of sponsoring person. Or it may be that only UAE nationals can sponsor friends. Again, conflicting reports seen.
Visa delivery service to airport - 17 June 2008
Visit visas and entry permits obtained by sponsors for visitors to the UAE normally need to be delivered to the airport at least three hours before the visitor arrives (except for the ones who get a visa on arrival). Look for a DNATA or DNRD visa delivery counter at Dubai International Airport (in or near the arrivals area). From 01 July 2008, instead of delivering the visa yourself, you can pay an extra Dh40 (or Dh 60 if urgent) and have it delivered for you, according to Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of DNRD, as reported in several UAE newspapers. Saves you the trouble of an extra trip through the airport traffic jam and carpark nuisance. The service will also be available at Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali when it opens.

09 June 2008 - New visa rules from 01 August 2008
New UAE visa rules were announced. A brief summary follows. The major changes appear to be that Visit Visas cannot be renewed, they will cost 500 dhs or 1000 dhs, expats can no longer sponsor friends on visit visas, and all visitors will need to show evidence of medical insurance. Nationalities of countries that at present can receive a free visit visa on arrival will continue to be able to do that according to reports on 09 June 2008. Conflicting information seen in some reports of the new visa rules. See the UAE visa table for a list of visa types summarised.


Visit Visa for 30 days

To obtain a UAE visit visa you'll need evidence of medical insurance, and a 1000 dhs deposit (some nationalities may be exempt). Cost of visit visa will be 500 dhs in any emirate. Visit visa validity will be 30 days and cannot be renewed. UAE non-Emirati residents will no longer be able to sponsor friends, only spouse or first-degree relatives, although there was a report in Xpress 25 September 2008 that a DNRD official said residents on salaries greater than 10,000 dhs/month could sponsor friends for a visit visa.

GCC residents might be able to obtain a visit visa for 100 dhs, with 500 dhs fee for one renewal. GCC nationals might be able to bring visitors with them under the same conditions, except renewal fee is only 200 dhs.

Visit Visa for 60 days - free for some nationalities

The new visa rules in June 2008 continued the free UAE visas on arrival for some nationalities but length of stay was randomly 30 days or 60 days until January 2009 when the period was set to 30 days, even if the stamp said 60 days.

Visit Visa for 90 days

Same conditions as 30 day visa but cost is 1000 dhs.

Other visit visas (all need 1000 dhs deposit)

Student visit visa UAE costs 1000 dhs, valid 60 days, person must be registered at a UAE university (for students coming to enrol in short course - long-term students should already have a residence visa). Can be renewed twice for 500 dhs.
Conference or Exhibition Visit Visa costs 100 dhs, valid for 30 days. Not renewable.
Medical Visit Visa costs 1000 dhs, valid 90 days, renewable for another 90 days for 500 dhs.
Tourist Visa

Valid for 30 days, costs 100 dhs + 10 dhs delivery fee, can only be obtained by hotels or tour operators. A deposit of 1000 dhs is needed. Can be renewed once.

Multi entry visa valid 180 days (or 6 months)

See the Dubai multiple entry visa information. Length of stay is 14 days per visit. Anyone can apply?
Other types of visas

Investor Visa for expats who invest a minimum of AED 70,000 share capital in a business partnership with a UAE national. Valid for 3 years, visa fee is 300 dhs.
Mission Visa (for temporary work in the UAE). Valid 90 days, costs 200 dhs, not renewable. Note that 90 days is not the same as 3 months. Other reports are saying the Mission Visa is valid 90 days for 600 dhs, can be renewed once for another 90 days with renewal fee 1200 dhs, but that may be old information, or conflicting information.
Parent Visa (name might not be correct). UAE residents can sponsor parents for 1 year renewable (need special permission from the FNRD). Refundable deposit of 5000 dhs (per parent) and visa fees 100 dhs.

Transit Visa costs 100 dhs, valid 96 hours (or 14 days according to some reports). Only issued if evidence of outbound flight shown.

UAE Embassies and Consulates can issue free visit visas if you're important enough.

Mission Visa - 90 to 180 days

Amer Service Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department
30 March 2007 - A service where residents of the UAE can enquire, complain, or make suggestions 24 hours a day. Tel 800-5111 (toll-free in the UAE), fax +971-4-3981177, email [email protected] as reported in Gulf News, email [email protected]. See also Amer Service discussion.

Medical exemption for expiration of residency visa
26 January 2007 - expat students/children and those on long term medical care might be granted multiple entry visas for the UAE to get around the clause where residency visas expire if the holder is out of the UAE for more than six months. DG of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department was quoted in the Gulf News.

Procedure for applying for a visa in Dubai

Like most things in Dubai and UAE involving bureaucracy, go to the relevant department with lots of paper (all the documents requested and any others you can think of), your passport and a copy, more money than you think you need, a bottle of water (or coins to buy one), and a book to read. Wait in queues, learn about what extra documents you need, go home to get them and return the next day.
Get forms, pay fees, and pay for typing at the typing office next to the bank (Commercial Bank of Dubai) at the main entrance of the Immigration Department - this is for Dubai. Other emirates may or may not have similar procedures.
DNRD main office location in Dubai and opening times
The DNRD (Department of Naturalization and Residence, Dubai), is near the Trade Center roundabout next to the Bur Dubai Traffic Police Department there. Also called the Immigration Department or Immigration Building. Parking is difficult to impossible but across the Trade Center road is Zabeel Park with more parking (although crossing the road is a bit of an adventure). See the DNRD location map.
DNRD opening hours are 0730 - 2000 (7:30am - 8pm) Sundays to Thursdays for most services. Afternoons are less busy. Closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Sometimes open on holidays for limited hours.

Israel - Israeli stamps in your passport

Israeli stamp in passport when entering Dubai - despite what you might hear or read, it shouldn't normally be a problem.
Visas are not normally issued to Israeli passport holders though.

Work Permits for Dubai

A work permit is not the same as a residency visa. The residency visa allows you to live in Dubai and the UAE for a period of time (usually 3 years). To work in Dubai, you also need to apply for a work permit or labor card. Usually the company you work for will arrange both work permits and residency visas for you and your family, and will explain to you what documents you need. If you're setting up your own business, you'll have to arrange the applications yourself. If you're in Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Village, or one of the other Free Zones, then you should be able to get everything arranged easily and quickly.

Some companies are efficient at arranging work permits and residency visas, others are more tardy and can take months or longer. It can also depend on the relationship the company has with the respective government departments.

Employment Visa - 30 days

An employment visa is issued to visitors who have arranged employment before coming to Dubai. It allows you to enter the country once and is valid for 30 days, during which time your company should complete processing of your work permit and residency visa. If you are from a country which can obtain a visit visa on arrival in Dubai, your company may ask you to enter this way instead but note that a visit visa does not allow you to work - the company should still obtain an employment visa or have your work permit ready.

Working on a Visit Visa or without a Work Permit

It is quite common for people to work in Dubai on a visit visa - and sometimes for many months, especially if a company wants to avoid the hassle and cost of processing a visa while a worker is on probation. The authorities occasionally crack down on this and deport people working without visas (with a visit to the police departure lounge on the way).

Another trap some people fall into is to state a profession on the visa different to what they really do. Small discrepancies are unlikely to be a problem eg Teacher vs Lecturer but claiming to be a Businessman is usually a red flag if you dress like a laborer and don't have any business cards with you, as some have found out - the consequence can be deportation and blacklisting.

In September 2007 it was reported that the Ministry of Labour was drawing up new rules that would mean those people found working on a visit visa would get a life ban for the UAE, and their employer would get a 50,000 dh fine.

Residency Visas - 3 years (or 1 year)

See Dubai residency visa information. Note that you cannot open a bank account, register a car, get a telephone connected, and so on until you have a residency visa or permit.

Usually residents will be sponsored by their employer (or an employed member of their family). The sponsor will normally make the visa arrangements and explain to you what documents you need. For those employed from overseas, the employer is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining your work permit (or labour card) and residency visa.

Expats with a residence visa and a job can sponsor their spouse and children - up to the age of 16 for sons, or 18 if a student, and daughters who are unmarried. See the UAE family sponsorship information for more details.
Sponsoring mother or father requires special permission, sponsoring brother or sister also. See UAE mother father visa information.

Residency Visas with property purchases

- 3 years 6 months renewable - New Dubai property visas have been announced - valid for 6 months and available to all UAE property owners, with a number of restrictions. Previous Dubai property visa information moved to separate page.
Student resident visas in Dubai are available through the institute where a student is studying. A student resident visa is renewable annually and normally only issued to full-time students. Not all UAE universities and colleges arrange visas, check before enrolling.

Visit visas and visitor entry permits for the UAE

Special Mission Entry Visa (14 days) information moved to transit visa page.

Tourist Visa - 30 days non-renewable - see the UAE tourist visa information.


Visit Visas UAE

Update after new visa rules from 29 July 2008: 30 day visa is AED 500 (one renewal possible), 90 day visit visa is AED 1000. Conflicting information seen for visa runs (visa renewals by exiting and re-entering the UAE on the same day). It appears that the free visit visa on arrival nationalities can still do visa runs as before, but other nationalities must leave the country for at least a month.

Visit Visa on arrival - 30/60/90 days - Information moved to free visa on arrival nationalities.
Visit Visa UAE for family members pre-arranged - 60 days. Update after new Dubai visa rules: Length of stay is 30 days or 90 days. Updated information here: Dubai visit visa and sponsor relative UAE visa.

Friends visit visas can still be issued according to one report - see the UAE visit visa for friend topic.
Visit Visa expiry / renewal - 30/60 days. Update after new rules 28 July 2008: You can only renew a 30 day visit visa once within the UAE. The new visa rules say after expiry of your visa, you must leave the country for a month (might not apply for visit visa on arrival nationalities), and you are supposed to return to your home country (according to some officials, other officials you can go anywhere which sounds like the more sensible scenario).
See the visit visa renewal in Dubai page - includes details of road trip from Dubai to Oman via Hatta for renewing visit visas.
Business Visas for Dubai and the UAE (to be updated)

Investor Visa

Investors who invest in a local UAE company can obtain an entry permit for work. Fees are about AED 10,000 to AED 40,000. See the DNRD site for more details.
This may have changed in January 2006 to 300 dhs fees but with a minimum investment of 70,000 dhs. The DNRD site doesn't specify a minimum.

Multiple Entry Visa - 6 months

Information moved to UAE multi-entry visas page.

Applications for permits can be made online at eform.ae - you'll need to register first. Payment can be made with eDirham, credit card or direct debit according to them.

Most of these sources would be a primary reference for many visitors and expats, but are not always up-to-date. It's a rare thing if they all consistently provide the same information about visas. Even phoning the Ministry of Labour and/or the DNRD or other UAE NRD can result in inconsistent information. Any other source usually bases their information on one of these.

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