In 2019, Dubai welcomed 16.73 million tourists, and the number of people applying for Dubai tourist visa grows almost exponentially each year. It’s easy to see why the city is popular with tourists. Not many places can rival Dubai’s top attractions, which is home to record-breaking structures such as Burj Khalifa. Similarly, the manmade islands in Dubai are a massive pull for tourists.
Dubai is even favoured by global celebrities because it offers such a wide range of activities. With the upcoming Expo 2020, the Dubai government is giving tourists another incredible reason to plan a Dubai holiday. Every year, a new happening place opens up to offer a unique and novel experience. Hence, people tend to visit the city multiple times, given that there’s always something new to try. The location of Dubai is also attractive for travellers across the world and it’s a popular choice for a transit location with visitors from the USA, Australia, Europe and other parts of the world.
As a result of this, there is a constant demand for visitor and tourist visas in Dubai.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DUBAI TOURIST VISAS
The Dubai government has a welcoming visa policy for tourists. Here, we will present a general overview of the whole process and look into the different types of Dubai tourist visa you need to acquire and the documentation needed to successfully process them. If you are planning to visit Dubai soon, this blog is for you. Remember, you need to get a tourist visa if you intend to visit the city for leisure activities.
FIVE YEAR MULTIPLE ENTRY TOURIST VISA
Among the latest initiatives to position Dubai as an ideal work and tourist destination is the 5-year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. Passport holders of all nationalities can apply for the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa as approved by the cabinet during a meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The visa will be based on self sponsorship and will allow the individual to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days. Furthermore, valid 5-year tourist visa holders can also request an extension for 90 days and be able to enter and exit the UAE as many times as they need to.
This visa will especially be helpful for families of expats residing in the UAE. They will be able to visit their loved ones easily without having to go through the visa process multiple times.
DUBAI VISA ON ARRIVAL
Passport holders of some countries do not require a visa to visit Dubai. If you belong to any of these countries, you can simply buy a ticket to Dubai and start your dream vacation.
DUBAI VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR 30 DAYS
Citizens of the following 22 countries are offered a 30-day visa on arrival facility. If you are a passport holder of any of the countries listed below, you don’t need any prior visa arrangements to visit Dubai and the UAE.
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brunei
- Canada
- Chile
- Hong Kong, China
- Ireland
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- People’s Republic of China
- Russian Federation
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Vatican City
DUBAI VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR 90 DAYS
The passport holders of the following countries or territories are offered a multiple-entry, 90-day visit visa that remains valid for 6 months.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Uruguay
DUBAI VISIT VISA FOR GCC NATIONALS AND RESIDENTS
GCC residents who are managers, public servants, doctors and engineers, can usually obtain a visa on arrival in Dubai. But this is subject to certain conditions, so it’s best to enquire before travelling.
DUBAI TOURIST VISAS ON ARRIVAL FOR INDIAN NATIONALS
Indian nationals with a valid visit visa or a green card issued by the USA, valid visit visa of the UK or EU residency can obtain a visa on arrival for 14 days in the UAE. All visas or residence permits should have at least a six months validity from the date of arrival into the UAE. In 2018, a record number of people applied for Dubai tourist visa for Indians.
TYPES OF DUBAI TOURIST VISAS
Visa type | Entries Allowed | Validity | Duration | Fees (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Visa type Transit visa | Entries Allowed Single | Validity 14 Days | Duration 4 Days | Fees (Approx.) AED 50 |
Visa type 48-Hour Transit Visa | Entries Allowed Single | Validity 14 Days | Duration 2 Days | Fees (Approx.) Free |
Visa type Tourist Visa (S) | Entries Allowed Single | Validity 60 Days | Duration 30 Days | Fees (Approx.) AED 350 |
Visa type Tourist Visa (M) | Entries Allowed Multiple | Validity 60 Days | Duration 30 Days | Fees (Approx.) AED 650 |
Visa type Tourist Visa (Long Term-S) | Entries Allowed Single | Validity 60 Days | Duration 90 Days | Fees (Approx.) AED 1,000 |
Visa type Tourist Visa (Long Term-M) | Entries Allowed Multiple | Validity 90 Days | Duration 90 Days | Fees (Approx.) AED 2,500 |
Visa type Multiple Entry Tourist visa | Entries Allowed Multiple | Validity 5 Years | Duration 90 Days | Fees (Approx.) TBA |
* Fee is subject to change according to the service provider
APPLYING FOR A DUBAI TOURIST VISA
Tourist Visas or entry permits are typically offered via a sponsor. Your sponsor can be:
- A UAE-based airline
- A UAE-based hotel or tour agent
UAE residents can also sponsor friends and family for visit visas provided certain conditions are met.
APPLYING FOR A VISA THROUGH TOUR AGENTS OR HOTELS BASED IN UAE
There are a plethora of tour companies and hotels that will assist you in your visa arrangements. You can find many online. To confirm their authenticity, you can contact a local UAE embassy.
APPLYING FOR A VISA THROUGH AN AIRLINE
The following four airlines provide visa services needed to enter Dubai:
- Etihad Airways
- Emirates Airline
- Fly Dubai
- Air Arabia
* Visa services are offered when you start the process of buying tickets from the airline.
MANDATORY DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR DUBAI TOURIST VISAS
The following documents are mandatory for anyone applying for a Dubai tourist visa:
- Completed visa form
- 6*6cm photograph (600*600 pixels) with a white background
- Coloured copy of your passport. Some country’s passports have important info on the last page. Coloured copies of the last page will also be required in this case
- Passport has to be valid for at least six months at the time of travel
- Confirmed tickets to and from Dubai airport
* More documents might be required depending on your nationality
* Time required for the issuance of visa can vary for each case
RENEWING OR EXTENDING DUBAI TOURIST VISA
All tourists’ visas can be extended for thirty days twice without having to leave the country. Each time, a renewal will cost AED 600. If for some reason you have to apply for Dubai tourist visa renewal after expiry, a penalty will have to be paid.
FAQS
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A UAE VISIT VISA AFTER COMPLETING THE APPLICATION?
Under normal circumstances, you will be issued a visit visa with 4-5 working days, provided that all the required documents have been submitted.
IS THERE A SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED WHILE APPLYING FOR A VISIT VISA IN DUBAI?
Visitors of certain nationalities are required to pay a security deposit. This information will be supplied at the time of application. This deposit will be refunded once you exit the country within 4-7 working days.
DO CHILDREN NEED A VISA TO VISIT DUBAI?
Yes, visitors of all ages are required to have valid travel documents and visas while travelling to the UAE.
Dubai is an international visitor’s destination of choice and the relatively simple and rapid visa process is a big positive. It has become a popular tourist destination because of its rich culture and a glamorous city lifestyle.
If you have family members or friends residing in various parts of the world, Dubai could be an ideal location to plan a get-together. All your family and friends can apply for Dubai tourist visas from the same tour company or airline.
Besides Dubai tourist visa, if you are looking to move to UAE for the long term, you would need a residence visa. If you already have one, make sure to keep a track of the validity of your visa. Check out our guide on UAE visa status can be helpful!
In addition to residence visa, there are other visas such as investor visa, long term visa and family visas as well.
