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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 a visit 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 to obtain 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 a tourist 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 a tourist 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.
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