Do I Need a Visa for Dubai from UK 2024

Dubai, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a must-go city for many UAE travelers. The magnificent cityscapes, vibrant lifestyle, and fast development attract a large number of foreign travelers, business persons, and talents from all over the world, including the United Kingdom (UK). In this passage, we are going to introduce Dubai visa from UK.

Do I Need a Visa for Dubai from UK

Do British citizens need a visa for Dubai? Yes, British passport holders are eligible to obtain a Dubai visa on arrival (VoA). The immigration officer will stamp the visa on the passport while passing the checkpoint and the visa is valid for up to 40 days. However, if you are a British Overseas Territory citizen, non-UK nationals with a biometric residence permit (BRP), Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), or a UK visa, you should apply for a visa in advance.

Do you Need Dubai Visa for Indian from UK?

Indian passport holders with a valid UK resident permit (i.e. BRP and ILR) can apply for a VoA after arriving in UAE and stay for up to 14 days. The passport must be valid for at least 90 days and the BRP must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. Indian citizens who plan to stay for more than 14 days are supposed to request a pre-arranged UAE visa from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in London.

Do you Need Dubai Visa for Pakistan Passport from UK?

Pakistan passport holders residing in the UK or traveling from the UK must apply for a pre-arranged visa to enter UAE before traveling. The minimum validity of the passport should be at least 6 months.

Do you need Dubai Visa for Bangladesh Passport from UK?

Bangladesh citizen must hold a valid UAE visa and a passport with at least 6 months of validity to travel to Dubai from the UK even despite their residency status in the UK. There is a 14-day, 30-day, and 60-day Dubai visa for Bangladeshi citizens. The visa must be applied in advance.

What Countries can Enter Dubai Without Prearranged Visa

As its name suggests, a prearranged visa is a visa applied for and issued before your trip while visa-on-arrival (VoA) can be obtained after arriving at your destination. Nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can enter the UAE without a visa. These countries include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

Additionally, the UAE offers VoA for some short-term visitors and the visa validity varies from country and country. Travelers can go to the immigration counter and have their visa stamped after landing at Dubai International. Here is a list of VoA-eligible countries and territories and their maximum length of stay.

30-day Visa on Arrival

90-day Visa on Arrival

180-day Visa on Arrival

Visitors with a Mexican passport are eligible for a 180-day visit visa with multiple entries.

How to apply for Preapproved UAE visas

Regular Indian passport holders with a valid USA visa, USA green card, UK residence card, or EU residence card are required to apply for a preapproved visa on arrival for first entry. It could be done online through the steps below.

• Visit official website of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
• Log in with a password or digital ID.

• Choose the service of visa on arrival.
• Provide the required information, including personal information, contacts, passport details, and travel plan.
• Pay the application fee of AED 253 (about £53) online.
• Receive the visa in the user email.

How to apply for Prearranged UAE visas

There are a variety of options for pre-arranged United Arab Emirates visas and the validity period ranges from 48 hours to 60 days with single or multiple entries. Online applications and in-person applications are available according to the visa type.

Apply Online for Dubai Visa from UK

The prearranged UAE visa can be applied on the website of ICP (available to UAE residents), tourism companies, hotels, or airlines. For example, if you have booked a ticket with the Emirates, you can apply for a visa on its online portal through the following instructions.

• Log into emirates.com and navigate to your Emirates profile.
• Go to the “Manage your Booking” section.

• Click on the “Apply for a UAE Visa”.
• Choose the flight itinerary that you are going to take and want to apply for a visa.
• Provide passenger information, including name, address, email, passport number, expiry date, country of residence, etc.
• Submit clear photocopies of the required documents.
• Pay the visa fees online.
• Receive an e-visa on the Emirates website or in your email. Download it and print it out or save it on your phone.

It is suggested to apply for the prearranged visa at least 4 working days ahead of the date of departure

Apply in Person for Dubai Visa

In-person application is only available in UAE, which means you have to turn to your host, for example, a family member or employer living in the UAE. He/she should follow these steps.

• Download an application form on the Emirates portal. Both English and Arabic versions are available.

• Read the instructions on the form and fill it out truthfully.
• Prepare all required documents.
• Visit the nearest visa submission venue, such as the Emirates Ticketing Office, VFS Global Services office, or any other GDRFA-certified licensed offices. If you take the Emirates flight and need a 48‑hour or 96‑hour transit visa, you can apply for it at the Emirates Commercial Visa APT office at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport.

Required Documents for Dubai visa

To apply for a prearranged Dubai visa from UK, the following documents are required.

• A colored copy of the passport (valid for at least 6 months).
• A valid UK residence card (if applicable).
• A color 35×45 mm visa photo with a white background.
• A confirmed air ticket.
• Proof of relationship if you are applying for someone else, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.
• Extra supporting documents according to the visa type, such as employment contract, college admission letter, invitation letter, etc.
• National ID Card (required for nationals of Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Iran)

How Much is a Dubai visa from the UK

The visa fees depend on the visa type and services. Here is a detailed price list. There might be extra service fees, such as value-added tax, insurance, or knowledge & innovation fees for government transactions. The total amount might vary depending on where you apply from and the circumstances of your sponsors.

Tips for UK Citizen travel to Dubai

Dubai is a world-famous shopping paradise and tourist destination. To ensure a happy and secure trip, here are some useful tips.

• Check Entry Requirements in Advance

Being rejected to enter a country or overstaying in a country is quite troublesome. Therefore, it is necessary to learn about whether a visa is needed and how long you can stay. For example, British nationals can stay in the UAE for 30 days plus a grace period of 10 days with a valid passport and a visa on arrival.

• Check Customs Rules

UAE has strict rules about what to bring in and out of the country. Any prohibited items, control items, or items subject to tax or duty must be declared. For example, it is illegal to bring pork products or pornography into the UAE. If you want to bring in medication, prior approval is required.

• Respect Local Customs and Culture

Islam is the official religion in the UAE. There are special requirements for the dress codes, diets, and rituals. For example, men and women should not reveal their arms and bodies in the place of worship. If you travel during Ramadan, there might be extra restrictions.

• Prepare for Your Trip in Advance

The local currency in Dubai is the Dirham with an exchange rate of AED: POUND = 5:1. It is suggested to exchange currency before traveling. Moreover, English is commonly used in business, but learning some basic Arabic will make your trip more convenient.

FAQ

How long does it take to get Dubai visa?

A regular application takes about 2-3 working days while Express application takes 4-6 hours.

Do UK citizens need a transit visa for Dubai?

A: No, British ctizens don’t need a visa to transit in Dubai. Plus, Nationals of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger and Yemen are not eligible for UAE transit visa application.

Do I need a visa for Dubai from Cyprus?

A: Yes, and you can obtain a visa on arrival if you are a Cyprus citizen.

How long can I stay in Dubai without a visa?

The maximum duration of stay ranges from 30 days to 90 days depending on where you come from.

Conclusion

Whether a Dubai visa from UK is needed depends on your citizenship and resident status. A Dubai visa for British citizens can be applied for after arriving and is valid for 40 days. Legal UK residents with Indian passports can obtain a Dubai entry visa on arrival which is valid for 14 days. Other nationals should apply for a prearranged United Arab Emirates visa online or through a sponsor in the UAE.