Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2005 4:20 pm Post subject: VISA to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Immigration Guide
VISA to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Immigration Information
The three entry requirements of obtaining a visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) are that you are not a citizen of Israel, that your passport doesn't contain Israeli stamps, and that your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your arrival. Information about the various UAE visa categories are explained in detail below.
Visit Visas
A visit visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14 days in the UAE, whether it is 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 (US$ 137).
33 Privileged Countries
There are 33 countries that are given the same on arrival free UAE visa on arrival similar to UK citizens. These countries include 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. A new law was passed on March 31st 2003, where the citizens of these 33 countries can only obtain a one-month non-renewable visit visa on arrival, which costs Dhs. 100 (US$ 28). Though the government officially passed this law, it does not seem to be always implemented.
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 (US$ 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 (US$ 3) for processing.
Transit Visas
This type of visa is a 4-day (96 hour) visa, which is issued by sponsorship of an airline operating in the UAE. A transit visa can only be issued if you have a valid ticket for an onward flight and the issuing of transit visas are free of cost.
Other Visit Visas
There are two other types of visit visas issued by the U.A.E. government. The first is a 14-day visa, also known as an Entry Service Permit. This visa must be sponsored by a UAE company or hotel and will take 2 weeks to issue. The second is a Multiple Entry Visa, which is useful for individuals who are continously visiting the UAE. This visa has special privileges for visitors from Germany and the United States. More information and requirements about these two visas can be found to your right.
Residence Visa
For individuals planning to live in the United Arab Emirates, you have to obtain a residence visa. A residence visa will be issued by the Immigration department of the emirate you will be staying in and provided to you by your sponsor (the company or person you are working for). If you have entered the country on a visit visa, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-enter the country or else make the transfer at the Immigration department.
If you are coming to the UAE with family members, you should obtain a family visa, which will allow you to sponsor your parents, spouse, daughters, and sons under the age of 18. Family visas are only possible if you earn more than Dhs. 4,000 (US$ 1,100) a month.
Residence visas are normally issued for 3-years and in order for it to be processed, you will need to take a medical test and obtain a health card. Individuals who test positive for AIDS will not be permitted to obtain a residence visa. A health card costs around Dhs. 300 (US$ 82) and should be renewed yearly. It can be issued by at Ministry of Health or else at a recognized private hospital.
Overstaying
A penalty charge of Dhs. 25 (US$ 7) - Dhs. 100 (US$ 28) per day is imposed on visitors who overstay. If the overstay extends to a significant amount of time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what penalties will occur.
Issuing Authority
The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) is the sole administrative authority of the Ministry of Interior that deals with issuing visas to foreigners visiting the country. Most visit visas issued in the UAE are issued through the Dubai International Airport and are sometime mistakenly reffered to as a Dubai visa. The most Dubai visas are issued during the various events sponsored by the Dubai government, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, as the visa requirements are minimized and obtaining a visa is alot easier.
Note: We would recommend that you also contact the UAE embassy or consulate in your country, as visa issues may have changed.
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS
- Abu Dhabi
Saeed bin Tahnoon St.
Abu Dhabi
Tel: 02 4462244
- Al Ain
Aditaba Road, near Dubai Islamic Bank, opposite Carrefour supermarket.
Tel: 03 7625555
- Dubai
Department of Naturalization and Residency, Trade Centre Road, near Bur Dubai Police Station
Tel: 04 3980000
- Sharjah
Department for Naturalization and Residence, near General Post Office
Tel: 06 5726777
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject: Indonesian Maid's work permit
I am having trouble bringing my Indonesian maid in from Malaysia. The Immigration dept needs her father's name to be in her passport. Now that I have provided her father's name, they are requesting for her mother's name.
What actually is the requirement to bring an Indonesian maid in to Dubai? Has anyone come across this situation?
New types of visit visas to be announced | 10 days ago - Khaleej Times
ABU DHABI - The Federal Naturalisation and Residency Department (FNRD) at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) will announce on June 8 the new types of visit visas that would come into force soon.
source: WadiOnline News - Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) Newspapers Headlines
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New visit visa regime will prevent abuse | 10 days ago - Khaleej Times
ABU DHABI - The new visit visa structure, to be implemented from August 1, aims at fighting violations as well as tighten controls on visa issuance for individuals and corporate bodies in addition to protecting all those who enter the country as either tourists or workers, said a reliable source at the Ministry of Interior (MoI).
source: WadiOnline News - Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) Newspapers Headlines
Gender: Age: 40 Zodiac: Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 2
Home Country: philippines
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: Employment Visa Processing Time
I was hired by a French company, Thales Group, that is currently undertaking the Dubai Metrorail Project. I have submitted my authenticated documents and the last time I talked to the agent, they will be starting to apply for the visa. My query is that, how long will be the processing time of the visa? I have already resigned from my work here in Doha just to give preference in moving to Dubai soon.
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