Visa Requirements for Dubai, UAE (2024)

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Do I need a visa to travel to the UAE?

People from different nationalities must satisfy different criteria to get a valid visa to enter United Arab Emirates (UAE). Read on to know about getting a UAE visa while travelling to any of the Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah).

Visa requirement for US citizens

American citizens who have regular passports do not need to have a visa to visit the UAE. However, please make sure you fulfil following criteria’s:

Original passport signed by the bearer, should not expire within six (6) months from the expected time of arrival in the UAE.
Confirmed round-trip airline ticket or airline ticket to other destination(s).

The visas are available upon arrival at the UAE airports and the American citizens can stay for 1 month in the UAE. However, if you are going to stay longer, you have to contact the immigration officer at the airport or the local immigration office in the UAE and apply for the same.

Visa Policy

Nationals of member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council have freedom of movement in the UAE. All UAE visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months. GCC nationals need to show their government-issued ID card.

Visa on Arrival

For GCC nationals:
The citizens of GCC countries, i.e. the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, do not require a visa to visit the UAE. The GCC residents who are not citizens but working as high-level officials such as doctors, managers, engineers or public sector employees and their families can have a 30-day non-renewable visa at all the airports in the UAE upon arrival.

Other Visas

Substitute visas:
Nationals of India who have a valid visa or residents of the United States or are residents of the European Union can obtain a free 14-day visa on arrival.

Golden visa:
The Golden visa is issued for investors, entrepreneurs and professional talent.

Transit visa:
Passengers on all international airlines may enter the UAE for up to 96 hours after obtaining a transit visa at the airport. Passengers also must have a hotel booking. This does not apply to Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen nationals. Travellers in transit are exempt from entry fees for the first 48 hours; this can be extended for up to 96 hours for an additional fee of 50 AED.

Tourist visa:
The Tourist visa is a special category under the Visit visa and entitles the holder to a 30-day stay.

Multiple-entry visa:
Multiple-entry visas are issued to cruise ship passengers since their schedule entitles them to enter the country more than once in a single trip. Such visas are also issued to business visitors who are frequent visitors to the UAE due to their ties with a multinational company or a reputable local company. Multiple-entry Visas are valid for six months from the date of issue and the duration of each stay is 30 days. The visa is non-renewable. The individual must enter the UAE on a Visit Visa and then obtain a Multiple-entry Visa.

Airline visa:
Visitors usually require a sponsor, but visas can be arranged online through an airline if they travel by Air Arabia, Air Astana, Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Turkish Airlines and a few more.

Document required:

Clear passport copy of the sponsor
Clear passport copy of the sponsored person
A copy of the salary certificate or employment contract of the sponsor (resident) must be attached
Proof of family relationship (kinship)
Travel Insurance
Copy of confirmed flight booking
Bank approval letter
Passport-sized colour photographs
Visa fee
Visa application form, duly filled

Rules and conditions:

Entry into the UAE is subject to immigration approval.
The ticket is non-refundable if the visa has been issued and utilised.
Visa processing time is approximately three to four working days.
Visa fees, once paid, are non-refundable.