How to Apply for a UAE Visa?

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federal state of seven Emirates located in Western Asia, consists of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain. As a magic combination of diverse cultures and rich natural resources, it has been fast developing for the past few decades, attracting millions of visitors to tour, develop businesses, work and study every year.

There are lots of things to prepare before visiting UAE, such as making a travel plan, studying culture and so on, but the most premium thing is to learn about how to enter the country. Cross-border travelers must apply for UAE visa beforehand most of the time. In this passage, we would explore comprehensively what is UAE visa, Whether you need one and how to apply. If you are planning to visit the UAE, please read on to make your preparation clearer and smoother.

What is a UAE Entry Permit?

The UAE visa, also called an entry permit, is issued by the authority to foreigners for specific purposes like traveling, working, studying, visiting friends and families, etc. The permit validity ranges from 48 hours to 60 days. How long you could stay depends on the purpose.

Types of UAE Visa

There are mainly 8 types of UAE entry permits listed as follows and each of them restricts visitors’ behaviors and residence time.

• UAE tourist visa

UAE tourist permits are the most common visa types issued to those who visit UAE for sightseeing or related purpose. Applicants could choose 30-day or 90-day validity, single or multiple entries. Minors under 18 are allowed to get a free visa during the stay from Jul. 15 to Sept. 15, but must be with an adult’s company. Please note that UAE tourist visa is not issued by UAE embassies. Instead, you have to contact licensed travel agencies, UAE-based airlines or hotels that you are going to work with and the staff would help you handle the application, so it is essential to find a reliable and authorized agent. It is recommended to seek the UAE embassy for verification before payment.

• UAE work visa

UAE working permits are issued to foreigners who want to work in UAE. The applicants must be at least 18 years old and have been hired by a legitimate company. Your employer helps to obtain the permit on your behalf. In most cases, the employer is in charge of the work permit cost ranging from AED 300 to AED 500 according to skill levels. UAE work visa allows holders to stay in the country for 30 days, and it could be extended to 60 days only once, during which the employer would apply for a residence visa for the employee to relocate.

• UAE Student Visa

This kind of visa is issued to foreigners to study in UAE. The applicants must have been accepted by an accredited higher educational institution. Generally, a UAE student visa, as one type of residence visa, lasts for 1 year and has to be renewed every year as long as the applicant is still a student. On Nov.24, 2018, the government launched a 5-year student visa for outstanding students graduating from public or private universities or secondary schools.

Your school would arrange to get a UAE student visa after you have arrived in the country, which means you have to get an entry permit for the purpose of studying first (see the UAE Visa Application Section).

• UAE Family Visa

This is a special restricted entry permit issued to dependents of foreign nationals residing in the UAE. Male expatriates, with a monthly salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation, can sponsor their wife, sons, daughters, parents or stepchildren for a family visa. Female expatriates, with a monthly salary of AED 10000 or AED 8,000 plus accommodation and certain careers, can sponsor their husband and children.

• UAE Transit Visa

This is a transit permit for those who are not eligible for visa-free or visa-on-arrival. Applicants can only stay in the country within 48 hours or 96 hours and then transfer to the third destination. Only UAE-based airlines can sponsor the transit visa.

• UAE Patient Visa

This permit allows foreign patients to enter UAE for medical treatment, but applicants must present proof of visit from licensed and registered hospitals in UAE, health insurance and financial security.

• UAE Retirement Visa

This is a 5-year renewable entry permit issued to retired residents over 55. The applicants must meet any of the following requirements:

Investment of property worth AED 2 million;

Deposit of over AED 1 million;

Active monthly income of more AED 20,000.

• Long-Term Residence Visas (Investor Visa)

This entry permit is also called investor visa issued to rich or skilled experts, which could last for 5-10 years. Applicants must invest a lot in the UAE.

Who Should Apply for UAE Visa?

UAE allows visitors to enter the country without visas, acquire a visa on arrival or hold a pre-arranged visa.

UAE Visa Exemption

UAE, as a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), exempts citizens of the member states from visas. These visa-free countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

UAE Visa on Arrival

The VoA policies for different countries depend on how long you are going to stay.

How to Apply for a UAE Visa?

Most countries require applicants to apply for visa through embassies or consulates overseas, but UAE entry permit is different. You must ask a sponsor or host in UAE or third-party agencies to represent you to submit the application. These authorized institutes could be any of the following:

• a licensed travel agency which could provide travel packages
• the hotel in UAE where you are going to stay
• one of Etihad Airways/Emirates Airline/Fly Dubai/Air Arabia that you are going to fly with.

Required Documents of Visa for UAE

In order to successfully get the permit to enter UAE, you have to prove your identity and purpose with documents such as:

• Colored biometric photo of the applicant (For more information, please turn to UAE visa photo requirements)
• Colored photocopies of the applicant’s passport (at least 6 months left before expiration
• Original copy of application form either in English or Arabic (available at all Emirates ticketing offices)
• Proof of travel (eg. a round-trip air ticket or ticket for an onward trip, accommodation certificates)

The following documents are optional according to real situations.

• National ID Card of Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the father or husband (if a lady travels alone)
• Proof of travel medical insurance for UAE
• A letter stating the traveling purpose and period of stay

• If there is a host, please provide

1. Evidence of relationship with the host
2. copy of the host’s UAE Resident Visa or ID
3. evidence of financial status like certified copy of labor contract or salary certificate

• Previous traveling record

1. copies of the visa with entry and exit stamps if you visited UAE last year
2. copies of the visa with entry and exit stamps if you visited America, UK, Schengen countries, Canada, Russia, Australia or New Zealand

• Evidence of your financial status (possibly)
• Evidence of your current address (possibly)
• Marriage certificate (possibly)

UAE Visa Application

There are two ways to apply for the UAE visa. No matter which one you chose, the whole process consists of uploading documents, fulfilling payment and waiting for the visa.

• Apply Online

The service is available on portal of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Ask the host, travel agencies, hotels, airlines or other sponsors to apply for the visa on your behalf.

If you are a GCC resident and taking a trip with GCC citizens, you are entitled to a more efficient online application process.

Please visit GDRFAD website for an entry permit.

• Apply in UAE

If you have family members or relatives of UAE residents, you can ask them to apply for the visa on your behalf at licensed GDRFA offices in the UAE.

Cost of Prearranged UAE Visa

Processing Time of UAE Visa

How long it takes to get an entry permit relies on the visa type. Generally speaking, it takes the authority about 3-4 business days to process a regular UAE tourist visa application while it takes around 30 days to handle a long-term resident visa.

UAE Visa Photo Requirements

Incorrect photos can lead to rejection, so it is essential to abide by the following Dubai or UAE visa photo rules. The photo must present your original look so as to pass the UAE visa check.

• The photo must be 2 x 2 inches (43 x 55mm) and the digital format must be 300 pixels (width) x 369 pixels (height).
• The background should be plain and gray without any patterns, shadows or stains.
• The photo must be colored, so don’t wear white clothes.
• The whole face, hair, ear, neck and shoulders must be clearly shown. Gentlemen are recommended to shave the beard.
• Glasses are suggested to take off. If you have to wear them for medical reasons, please don’t use colored lenses and thick frames.
• Keep a neutral facial expression with eyes open and mouth closed.
• Keep the head in the center without tilting or turning around.
• The photo should be well-lit and well-contrasted in case of concealing natural skin color, under-exposure, or over-exposure.
• Head scarves, headbands and headgear are not allowed unless for religious reasons. Even if you have to wear any of it, please make sure not to cover any part of your face from chin to forehead. Even Muslim ladies, Muslim Maulans, and Sikh men are not allowed to use photos with only their eyes visible.
• For infants who are too young to sit upright, make sure only the newborns appear in the visa photo without toys, snacks and parents.
• Children must also completely show their facial features. Don’t amuse the baby too much in case they laugh out loud or distort their expressions.
• For kids under 10 years old, requirements for facial expressions are less strict than that for adults.

Online UAE Visa Photo Maker

Although many studios provide ID photo services, it is more convenient to make one at home. There are many applications available in the App Store and Google Play. If you don’t want it to take up too much space on your device, you can choose online photo makers. AiPassportPhotos can check whether a photo is compliant or not and modify photo size and background. With built-in AI algorithms, it works quite fast and accurately. You can get the results within seconds.

Summary

After reading this article, you must have made it clear whether you are visa-free, get UAE visa on arrival or prearranged, which type you need, how much it cost, how long it takes and how to apply for one. UAE Visa photo, as an essential part of application approval, requires more attention than common photos. We hope to help you make a qualified photo with the least hassle and cost. Then, get prepared for your amazing trip.