There is no dearth of reasons for visiting Dubai. An ultra-modern city that still carries is its tradition and heritage proudly; Dubai is the most popular emirate city of the United Arab Emirates. Be its prestigious landmarks, top-notch theme parks, sprawling shopping malls, unique attractions, sweeping open spaces, and the vast, raw desert, everything about Dubai makes it worth the visit. But before you gear up to soak in the innumerable attractions of the city, you need to get a Dubai visa. While applying and getting a Dubai visa is not very difficult, you may get confused as to which one you need. This is because Dubai offers different types of tourist visas, and you must get one as per your requirements. Here is a complete guide to everything you need to know about different types of tourist visas.
Types of Dubai Tourist Visas
The UAE tourist visa is a short-term visa that allows you to enter the country and explore the place for a short period of time. Apart from tourism, this visa can also be used for business purposes. For instance, this is the visa you need to apply for if you want to visit Dubai to attend a business meeting, conference, and the like. The Dubai tourist visa is also for those who want to visit their family and friends in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE. An important thing to note is that you cannot work in Dubai or look for a job in the city or anywhere in the country with this visa. There are different types of Dubai visas for tourists and visitors.
30-Day Single Entry Visa: This tourist visa gives you the chance to stay in Dubai for 30 days. However, with this visa, you can enter the country only one time. Once you exit the country, the visa expires, even if you leave before the expiry date of the visa.
30-Day Multiple-Entry Visa: This visa is similar to the above one; the only difference being that it allows multiple entries within the validity of the visa. For instance, you can exit the country and enter again as many times as you want until the visa expiry date.
60-Day Single Entry Visa: The 60-day Dubai tourist visa allows you to stay in Dubai for two months. This visa is perfect for those who want to visit Dubai to stay with their family. Businesspersons would also benefit from this visa, especially if their work requires them to stay in the city for a longer duration. But it is a single-entry visa, so if you exit the country, you will have to apply for a new visa to visit again, even if the visa is within its validity.
60-Day Multiple-Entry Visa: The 60-day multiple-entry visa also lets you stay in the city or country for two months. The only difference is that with this visa, you can enter and exit the country multiple number of times till the visa expires. This is great for tourists who want Dubai as their base while exploring the nearby countries during their holiday. Businesspersons who need to attend meetings regularly but do not want to be bothered about applying for a new visa every time can also benefit from this multiple-entry visa.
Dubai Visa on Arrival
| Andorra | Argentina | Australia | Austria | Bahamas |
| Barbados | Belgium | Brazil | Brunei | Bulgaria |
| Canada | Chile | Costa Rica | Croatia | Cyprus |
| Czechia | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France |
| Germany | Greece | Honduras | Hong Kong | Hungary |
| Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Japan | Kazakhstan |
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Malaysia |
| Maldives | Malta | Mexico | Monaco | Montenegro |
| Nauru | Netherlands | New Zealand | Norway | People’s Republic of China |
| Poland | Republic of Mauritius | Republic of El Salvador | Portugal | Romania |
| Russia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | San Marino | Seychelles | Singapore |
| Slovakia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | The Vatican |
| Ukraine | United Kingdom | United States of America | Uruguay |
Not all nationals have to apply for a tourist visa to visit Dubai or the UAE. Some countries in the world are eligible for a visa on arrival, i.e., you get a visa stamp on your passport once you arrive in Dubai. This means no need to go through the application process or paperwork before you leave for Dubai. All you need is your valid passport to get entry into Dubai. The Dubai visa arrival is available for 30-90 days, depending on the nationality of the person. Here is the list of countries eligible for visa on arrival in Dubai.
Dubai Transit Visa
Dubai transit visa is another type of short-term visa for Dubai or UAE. Dubai airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and people from all over the world stop at this airport for a layover while flying to an international destination. If you have a stopover in Dubai, you must get a Dubai transit visa (not for those eligible for visa on arrival in Dubai).
The Dubai visa on arrival is available for 48 hours and 96 hours. With the transit visa, you can enter the city and visit the attractions and return to the airport for your onward flight. To get this visa, you need to produce the onward flight ticket to the next destination along with your passport and photographs.
Documents Required for Dubai Tourist Visa
Whichever Dubai tourist visa you are applying for, you will have to submit a list of documents. Here are the different Dubai visa requirements guide.
- Passport with a validity of six months from the date of entry in Dubai
- Recent passport size photos with a white background
- Reserved return tickets to your home country or tickets for onward journey
- Bank statements to prove that you have sufficient money to cover your expenses during your Dubai trip
- Proof of accommodation like hotel reservation or invitation letter from a friend/relative staying in Dubai (legal resident).
Apart from the documents mentioned above, you may have to submit additional documents depending on the type of visa and your nationality as well.
Dubai Visa
Easy Documentation
Online Payment Option
Express Working Days
Dubai Visa Fee and Processing Time
The Dubai visa fee is different for different Dubai visa types. The visa fee starts from AED 299 and goes up depending on the type of visa. The processing time for Dubai visa is around 4-5 business days. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free processing time, you must apply for the Dubai visa at least 1-2 weeks before the day you are planning to fly to the country.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for a Dubai Visa
Here are some of the common Dubai visa rejection reasons that you must avoid:
- Submitting incomplete or inaccurate visa application form
- Applying for the wrong visa
- Not submitting all the necessary documents
- Invalid passport
- Incorrect photographs (not submitting photos as per specifications)
- Possessing active UAE residential visa
Frequently Asked Questions About Dubai Tourist Visa
1. Can I extend the Dubai tourist visa?
Yes, it is possible to extend your Dubai tourist visa for an additional 30 days. However, your stay cannot extend for more than 180 days.
2. What happens if I overstay after my Dubai visa expires?
If you overstay even after your Dubai visa expires, you will have to face numerous financial and legal consequences. You will have to pay a fine for each day you overstay in Dubai. You may be deported back to the country and could also face blacklisting, making it difficult for you to apply for a Dubai visa in the future.
3. Can I apply for a Dubai tourist visa online?
Yes, you can apply for a Dubai tourist visa online through the official visa portal. You can also hire a reputable visa consultant to apply for the visa for you.
4. How to submit the documents when applying for a Dubai visa online?
When you apply for a Dubai visa online, you need to take soft copies of all your documents. They should be scanned in color (JPEG or PDF formats), with the size of the files not more than 2 MB.
5. What are the tips for a hassle-free Dubai visa application?
- Apply early; do not keep the visa application for the last of your Dubai holiday plan.
- Select the right tourist visa
- Check all the documents twice before you submit them. Avoid spelling and factual errors.
- Make sure you have followed the Dubai visa photo requirements
- Always state facts in your visa application form. Refrain from providing false information. Be honest.
Conclusion
An important thing to remember is that visa rules and regulations may change without prior notice. Hence, it is best to be aware of the rules before you begin the process of applying for one. Moreover, if the process seems overwhelming, it would be best to hire a visa agent or consultant to help you with it.
