Dubai Visa

UAE and Dubai Visas

Tuesday 06 January 2009 (UAE)

UAE and Dubai Visas, Entry Permits, and Work Permits

Important

See the UAE visa table for a list of new (and old) visa types. Or the new Dubai visas topic in the forum. For visa questions, try calling the DNRD Amer service tel 800-5111 toll-free in the UAE.

Visa rules and regulations can and do change suddenly and without warning. The UAE embassy in your country or the relevant authority in the UAE (DNRD in Dubai) is probably the only source of information you can rely on - even government websites can be slow to update. This page was last updated on 01-Jan-2009 but information here may not be complete or accurate while we join the rest of UAE in trying to figure out the new visa puzzle ... er rules that came into effect 29 July 2008.

How long a visa is valid for staying in the UAE is usually given in days. Some sources say months instead of days but be careful - 1 month is not the same as 30 days, 6 months is not the same as 180 days. Some visitors have found this out the hard way when leaving the UAE, getting a fine for overstaying by 2 or 3 days. Visit visas and entry permits, if not used to enter the UAE, usually expire 2 months after the date of issue (DNRD website says 2 months but to be safe, allow 60 days).

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 countries. 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 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 may be able to obtain a visit visa for 100 dhs, with 500 dhs fee for one renewal. GCC nationals may 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

Present visa rules allow free visas on arrival for certain nationalities. This is reported to be continuing after 01 August 2008, but unclear if they will still be 60 days, or change to a 30 or 90 day period.

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 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)

A 180 day multi entry visa (unknown if 180 days or 6 months), costing 2000 dhs is valid for visits of less than 14 days. Renewable for another 6 months for 2000 dhs. Unknown how long you have to stay away between visits. Some reports say the length of each stay can be 30 days maximum but that appears to be old information. The Gulf News (a UAE newspaper) reported that the UAE Federal Naturalisation and Residency Department (FNRD) Director General, Lt. Gen. Mohammad Salem Al Khaili, said "... and a person can stay in the country for 14 days at a stretch."

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.
Parent Visa (name may 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.

29 Sep 2007 - New 6 month Mission Visa

The Ministry of Labour is apparently planning to introduce a new visa, the Mission Visa, valid for residency and employment up to six months. Cost of the Mission Visa is expected to be 1200 dhs. This sounds similar to an already existing Mission Visa, but with no restrictions on job categories. It may be possible to change a Mission Visa to a normal Employment Visa. Information from report in Emirates Today 28 Sep 2007 about the new Mission Visa.

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 aamer@dnrd.ae as reported in Gulf News, email amer@dnrd.ae. 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 may 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, 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

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 times

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.

Israeli Stamps in your passport

Many people, and online sources, will say visas (and entry to Dubai or UAE) are not permitted for anyone with an Israeli stamp in their passport. This may have been correct in the past, or it may be one of those official rules that no one takes any notice of, since there have been visitors that have entered the UAE despite having entry stamps from Israel in their passport. The website of the UAE Embassy in the UK (www.uaeembassyuk.net) says "Israeli stamps endorsement is not a problem for UAE entry", and the US UAE Embassy website (www.uae-embassy.org) says "All Americans with a valid US passport are welcome to enter the UAE. This includes those with visa or entry stamps from other countries" (as of December 2008). Israeli citizens are prohibited from travelling to the UAE however, and entry might be denied to Israelis travelling on another passport, or other nationals who were born in Israel - check with the UAE immigration department or your nearest UAE embassy in that case.

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

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.

If you are sponsoring family members, cost is 300 dhs for each visa, valid for 3 years but it expires if the person is out of the UAE for a period more than 6 months.
It is possible to sponsor parents but a special request needs to be made. If successful, a deposit of 5,000 dhs (refundable) for each parent is required, visa validity is one year (renewable) and cost is 100 dhs per year.

Residency Visas with property purchases - 3 years

If you own property in Dubai, Ajman, or Ras Al Khaimah then you are probably entitled to apply for a residency visa. There are some conditions and restrictions though.

Residency visas have been on hold or suspended since around mid-2008 for most/all Dubai and Ajman property purchases - check with the master developer or the relevant government authority (RERA in Dubai), don't take the word of the real estate agent or property developer as some have been issuing misleading advertisements about the residence visa eligibility. Ras Al Khaimah property purchases may still allow application for a residency visa.

The residency visa is only available to the first named owner of the property (consider which name to put first if it's a joint purchase).
The residency visa is not available until after the property is completed.
You can only apply for a residency visa under this scheme if you don't have any other way of obtaining a residency visa.
There will be a charge (about 5000 dhs in January 2008) for the residency visa application. For that, the developer makes the application on your behalf. That's not something you have a choice about.
Owning a property does not guarantee successful application for a residency visa. The immigration department decides that, not the property developer.
The residency visa only entitles you to live here, not to work here - you still need to apply for a work permit for employment.
Expat residents can still be deported for the normal deportation reasons.
In early 2008 there was a report that residence visas could be applied for before completion of property but no further information found to confirm that. Treat with skepticism any comments from property agents that indicate you can do this.
In mid-2008, the whole residence visa with property thing was in a state of flux in Dubai, due mostly to property developers and real estate agents misleading customers by advertising a "guaranteed residence visa" with property purchases, when there was no way they could "guarantee" a visa. Some developers have put applications on hold, and some reports say that authorities are no longer issuing residence visas on this basis. Get information from either the DNRD or the master property developer before committing to a purchase if your decision depends on whether or not you are eligible for a residence visa. Treat whatever a real estate agent or developer says (other than the master developer - and even then be careful) with a pinch of salt.

Residency Visas - 1 or 2 years for family members of residents

According to a the Khaleej Times (13 Nov 2006), Abu Dhabi residents could sponsor family members for a 1 year residency visa if a 5000 dhs deposit was made to the Naturalisation and Residency Department in Abu Dhabi. Apparently including residents earning less than 4000 dhs a month (normally the minimum for sponsoring a family member on a visit visa if resident without employer accommodation).
But then according to another Khaleej Times article a bit later (22 Nov 2006), residents needed a minimum monthly salary of 2500 dhs with accommodation, or 3200 dhs without, to sponsor their immediate family members (and the 5000 dhs deposit). For wife and children, two year visas are issued. For parents, brothers, or sisters, one year visas are issued. For residents with Investor Visas, the deposit required is 20,000 dhs (reduced from 70,000 dhs) for family member sponsorship, and they only get one year visas. It's not clear if wives can sponsor husbands. It's also not clear if these rules apply in emirates other than Abu Dhabi. As of 22 Nov 2006, government.ae and dubai.ae do not have information clarifying the articles in the press.

Student Visas (to be updated)

Students studying in the UAE can obtain student visas. No further information on DNRD page. See the institute where you are intending to enroll for further explanation.

Tourist Visa - 30 days non-renewable (to be updated)

Cost is AED 120 + AED 100 if urgent processing wanted.
Hotels and tour operators usually arrange these for their customers.
Validity is 30 days (non-renewable) before new rules 01 August 2008, may be renewable after new rules come into effect.
Takes a couple of days to process, sometimes just hours.

Special Mission Entry Visa - 14 days

This is somewhere between a transit and visit/tourist visa. A company or hotel needs to obtain it and you can collect it on arrival.
Validity is 14 days non-renewable, fee is 220 dhs plus 10 dh delivery charge

Transit Visa - 96 hours (to be updated)

Validity is 96 hours for passengers in transit at Dubai International Airport. There may be a minimum stopover time of 5 hours.
Need to show an ongoing ticket and visa cost is 30 dhs or free (conflicting sources and not clear on DNRD website). The airline you are flying with should be able to arrange it for you (and are required to sponsor you).
It may be possible to go to the City Tours Desk in the Arrivals Lounge to book a tour (100-150 dhs). Registering for a tour does not guarantee that a visa will be issued though.

Visit Visa on arrival - 30/60/90 days

Visit visas can be obtained on arrival in Dubai and UAE if you are a national of one of the following 33 countries. No prior arrangements need to be made and the cost is free when arriving at Dubai International Airport. You may have to pay 20 or 30 dhs at land borders. Nationals of these countries can also renew their visas more easily, for example by driving to Oman and back (but confirm you can get an Omani visa at the border first).

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. Length of visa changed from 30 days back to 60 days sometime during August 2008 for the free visit visa on arrival nationalities.

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland (Netherlands)

Hong Kong
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta*
Malaysia
Monaco
Netherlands (Holland)
New Zealand

Norway
Paraguay**
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Vatican City

*Malta unconfirmed if included or not
**Paraguay was not in the original list but was seen in a list published by the Gulf News (a UAE newspaper) on 25 Dec 2006.

25 Dec 2006 - Gulf News (a UAE newspaper) reported that 'visas on arrival' were under review by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially for European countries that have more restrictive entry procedures for UAE nationals.

Visit Visa for family members and friends pre-arranged - 60 days

Update after new rules: Length of stay is 30 days or 90 days. Friends can no longer be sponsored, except according to one report - see the UAE visit visa for friend topic.

If you are not from one of the listed countries, then you will need a sponsor in the UAE to arrange one for you. The sponsoring person will need:

A copy of their passport.
A copy of the visitor's passport.
Fee of 100 dhs + additional 100 dhs if urgent processing required. Normal processing takes a few days, urgent a day or two.
Fee of 10 dhs if Empost delivery wanted.
Deposit of 2000 dhs refundable after visitor has left (upon presentation of receipt).
Copy of the attested (in some cases) employment contract if the sponsor is a resident.
Minimum salary of 3000 to 6000 dhs per month depending on relationship to visitor and accommodation arrangement (3000 dhs with accommodation or 4000 dhs without is the normal minimum).
A residency visa from the same emirate as where they make the Visit Visa application.

Below are possible sponsorship arrangements (and additional requirements).

Friend of resident employed in the UAE. Friends sponsoring single visitors of the opposite gender may find it difficult to obtain a visa for them.
Parents or brother or sister of resident.
Wife and children of resident. Need to present attested copy of Marriage Certificate.
Company in the UAE. Need to present original Commercial Licence, Establishment licence and PRO card with application.
Wife/Children/Relative of UAE National. No minimum salary requirement or copy of employment contract needed. Need proof of relationship from UAE Embassy and copy of marriage certificate if wife is not a UAE National.

Visit Visa renewal / extension - 30 days maximum

It is possible to extend a Visit Visa for another 30 days at the Immigration Department. This will cost you 500 dhs and you can only do this once if you have a 30 day Visit Visa. The new 90 day Visit Visa is not renewable.

Visit Visa expiry / renewal - 30/60 days

Update after new rules 28 July 2008: You can only renew a 30 day visit visa once (maybe...). 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

A company can apply for one for a frequent visitor. Fee is 1000 dhs, validity is 6 months and each visit can only be a maximum of 30 days. The visa can only be applied for in the UAE once the visitor is here. This information is not obvious on the DNRD website so confirm with them it is correct.
Apparently German and USA nationals can apply for one for themselves but the DNRD site does not have confirmation of this (as of June 2006).

Mission Visa - 90 to 180 days

This is a relatively new visa arrangement intended for people working in the UAE temporarily with the permission of the Labour Ministry. The DNRD website information is not very clear - this information comes from articles in the press.
Visa is issued for 3 months, cost is 600 dhs. Extension for another 3 months costs 1200 dhs. Maximum stay is 180 days (so if you stay 6 months, you may be in trouble for the extra couple of days although there is apparently a grace period of 7 days for 3 month visas - may not apply for the second 3 months).
Apparently you need to get a Temporary Work Permit from the Ministry of Labour first before applying for the Mission Visa. MOL website does not have further information about a TWP (at least, not in English).
According to the Interior Ministry, it is only available to expatriate doctors, engineers, lawyers and technicians.

e-form

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.

Cancelling visas and work permits

Information moved to UAE visa cancel page