Dubai is a city that attracts visitors from all over the world because of its unique culture and opulence. If you are a Filipino citizen who wants to travel or look for a job in Dubai, you must obtain a Dubai Visitor Visa before departure. If you don’t know how to obtain a Dubai visa, in this article we will show you a complete guide to go through the visa application details. Let’s read below.
Types of Dubai visas
Before you start applying for a Dubai visa, you need to find out what types of visas you need. There are some multi-entry or one-entry visas that allow you to visit the country for a specific purpose, such as tourism, visiting a friend or relative, exploring business or employment opportunities, studying and transit. Here are the types of Dubai Visas you can apply for.
Transit visa
Transit visas are available for travelers staying in the UAE for less than 48 or 96 hours. It’s okay for you to apply for one through an airline based in the UAE or a travel agency. Or you can get one on arrival when you fly with an airline based in the UAE. However, transit visas are not extendable or renewable, meaning you must leave Dubai within 48 or 96 hours. Otherwise, you may be fined for it.
Tourist visa
The multiple entry 5-year tourist visa allows tourists to enter the UAE multiple times on self-sponsorship and stay in the country for 90 days on each visit. It can also be extended for a further 90 days. You can only apply for this type of tourist visa through airlines, hotels and eligible travel agents.
Jobseeker visit visa
You can be granted a visit visa to look for a new job opportunity without requiring a sponsor in the country for a one-time trip. This visa allows you to stay in the UAE for 60, 90 or 120 days.
Visiting visa to explore investment opportunities
This visit visa to explore investment opportunities allows foreigners to enter Dubai easily without the need for a sponsor or host. This encourages investors and business people to explore investment opportunities in the UAE. With this visit visa, you can stay there for 60, 90 or 120 days.
eVisa for GCC residents
GCC residents and their companions need to apply online for a visa which is valid for 30 days and is extendable once for 30 days. And they must get the same before they arrive in the UAE.
Dubai visa requirements
If Filipinos want to travel to Dubai, they need to apply for a tourist visa. Before you start applying for your tourist visa, you must first meet the Dubai tourist visa requirements.
- A Filipino passport with more than 6 valid months validity on arrival date in the UAE, and the passport must have two blank pages.
- A passport-compliant color photograph with a height of 4.5 cm and a width of 3.5 cm.
- A return flight ticket, travel bookings or hotel bookings to prove your trip.
- Sufficient funds with a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies within 6 months to make sure you can cover the cost during travel.
- A letter of invitation from friends or family members (if applicable).
- NSO Birth Certificate when traveling with minors.
You will need to provide some additional documentation, depending on where and which visas you are applying for. In addition, when you apply online, you must convert them into digital formats.
How much is a Dubai visa?
The visa fees for a Dubai visa depend on which tourist visa you are applying for. Here you can check the price below according to the UAE government portals:
- 30-day tourist visa single entry: AED 250 or approximately PHP 3750
- 30-day tourist visa multiple entries: AED 690 or approximately PHP 10,350
- 90-day tourist visa: AED 600 or approximately PHP 9000
- 90-day tourist visa multiple entries: AED 1740 or approximately PHP 26,100
The basic visa fees in PHP depend on the current conversion rate and it changes at any time. If you apply for a tourist visa through visa agents, they will charge you an additional service fee, such as Atlys.
How long is the visa process?
The visa processing time will depend on how to apply for your tourist visa. Normally, it takes about 2-5 business days, such as Emirates. Some services can even provide an urgent and express visa within 30 minutes, such as Atyls. Therefore, you should apply for your visa 14 days before your travel date.
How to apply for a Dubai visa?
According to the rules, you can get your Dubai visa through many ways, such as airlines, hotels, visa agencies, or online UAE visa portals. Here you can get your visa through the UAE visa portals.
- Launch the UAE Visa Service.
- Select the appropriate visa type and complete the application form.
- Review the documents you submitted.
- Pay your application fee by credit card, debit card or Paypal.
- Receive the digital Dubai tourist visa from an email and print it out.
If you are outside the Philippines, you can apply for a Dubai visa through a visa agency-Dubaivisaonline
- Visit Dubaievisaonline.
- Select the Philippines in the country of residence and the country where you currently live, and click on the visa type and duration you wish to apply for, then click on “PROCEED TO APPLY.”
- Fill out the Dubai visa application form and upload the required documents.
- Pay your visa fees via Paypal/Credit/Debit Card, then you will receive a payment confirmation and application ID in your email.
- Once the visa is approved, download and print it on paper. You can travel with this visa.
What is the difference between a Dubai visa and a UAE visa?
All Dubai visas are UAE visas, as Dubai is part of the UAE. All UAE visas are not Dubai visas. There are 7 independent emirates in the UAE, such as Dubai, Fujairah, Ras AI Khaimah and others. When you apply for a visa to Dubai, the Emirate of Dubai will issue the application visa.
Can Filipino citizens apply for a visa on arrival?
No. Philippine citizens are not allowed to obtain a Dubai visa upon arrival at an international airport in the UAE. You must apply for a Dubai tourist visa before traveling to the UAE.
Which country can get a Dubai visa on arrival?
If you are from the following countries, you can obtain a visa on arrival in Dubai:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Kuwait, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, etc.
How to extend the Dubai visa?
If you want to stay in Dubai for longer, you can extend your tourist visa for the same period. Bring your passport copy, a scanned copy of your passport-size photo and the sponsor’s document (copy of passport, Emirates ID) and visit the nearest Amer Service Center. There you need to submit the application and required documents to the customer service employee and pay the visa extension fee of AED 1100. Or you can apply for it through the UAE government portal or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-GDRFA.
What if my Dubai visa expires?
If you stay in Dubai but your visa expires, you will need to pay an additional AED 100 fine when you leave at the border crossing point. You will also be charged AED 50 per day for overstaying. If you want to find out how much you owe in the overstay fine, you can check it out on the GDRFA and ICP websites. Don’t overstay in Dubai, otherwise, you will get a huge fine for it.
FAQs
How can I check my visa status?
If you urgently need a visa, you can track your visa application. Prepare your application number, reference number payment date (if possible) first. Track your visa application through the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai when you apply for a Dubai visa. Or you can check the status of the GDRFA service through the DubaiNow app.
What to do if a Dubai tourist visa is rejected?
Unfortunately, your Dubai tourist visa has been rejected. Don’t be discouraged, reapply it immediately. There are a number of possible reasons why your Dubai visa is refused, such as typo errors in name or passport number, inappropriate passport size photo, applicants with criminal records, applicants with unskilled occupations, or a single female under 24. You can ask the requesting agency for assistance in submitting new and correct documents. Double-check all required valid and legal documents when submitting them.
If my visa is not approved, will I receive a refund?
No. If your visa application is not approved, you cannot get a refund from the UAE immigration authorities. But if you paid a security deposit, you will receive the refund after 4 working days.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
It depends on the purpose of your visit to Dubai. If you want to experience exciting events and activities, the best time to visit Dubai is from November to April. Of course, if you don’t like peak travel, September and October are also ideal for those who want to avoid crowds. If you are a budget traveler, May, June, July, and August are the best times for you to travel.
Conclusion
It is easy for Filipino citizens to apply for a Dubai visa. Don’t forget to prepare all the necessary documents to avoid delay or rejection of the application. We hope you have a wonderful trip with your family and friends.
Dolores Xiao