A Dubai visa is an official document permitting travellers to visit the UAE. Indians need to apply for a UAE Visa to enter Dubai. Furthermore, you need to apply for a visa according to your purpose of visit.
This article will assist you in every step of your application process and give you all the details regarding the types of Dubai visa, documents required, the application process and the extension of Dubai visa.
What is a Dubai Visa?
A Dubai visa is an official document issued by the authorities of Dubai which permits travellers to travel to Dubai and stay in Dubai for a certain number of days specified in the UAE visa.
Moreover, a Dubai visa is also known as a UAE visa. Hence, travellers can also use a UAE visa to travel to all the other emirates.
Essential points on Dubai Visa
- Travellers can obtain an E-visa from the official websites of ICP.
- Make sure that you have a hard copy of your UAE visa.
- If you are travelling to Ras-al-Khaimah, keep the following things in mind:
a)The authorities do not accept a soft copy of a visa or a hand-written passport.
b)If any traveller has stayed outside Dubai for more than 180 days, he has to apply for a permit to enter Dubai on the official website of ICP.
- A passenger with dual nationality should arrive and depart with the same passport.
- The authorities will not permit your entry if you have only one name on your passport or if you have extended the validity of your passport. However, this rule has some exceptions.
- Obtain health insurance if you are a tourist travelling to Dubai or Sharjah.
Different Types of Dubai Visas
Transit Visa
Tourists travelling to other countries via the UAE can apply for a transit visa. You may apply for two types of transit visas- for 48 hours or 96 hours. Furthermore, you can not apply for an extension of a transit visa.
Tourist Visa
This visa is ideal for tourism or visiting a relative in the UAE.
Travellers can stay in the UAE for 30 days with this visa. Tourists can extend the validity of their visa for 30 days or 90 days.
Golden Visa
A golden visa is a special visa for a long-term stay in the UAE. You can apply for this visa to work, study, or live in the UAE.
- Validity-5-10 years
- Duration of stay- 6 months
- Students, real estate investors, doctors, people in business, and scientists can apply for this visa.
A detailed overview of golden visas for different professions is given below:
- Investors in public investments
- Validity-10 years
- Documents- A letter from an investment fund in UAE stating that the investor has deposited 2 million AED and a letter from the federal tax authority stating that the investor pays 250000 AED to the government annually.
- The individual should be the owner of the capital.
- Real estate investors
- Validity-5 years
- Documents- A letter from the land department which states that the individual is the owner of one or more properties with a minimum value of 2,50,000 AED
- Entrepreneurs
- Validity-5 years
- Entrepreneurs who want to stay in Dubai for a futuristic or technical project can apply for this visa.
- Audit report stating that the project has a minimum value of AED 500000 and a declaration by relevant authorities stating that the project is futuristic or technical.
- Outstanding specialised talent
- Validity-10 years
- Athletes, doctors, scientists, and engineers are eligible for this visa
- Documents- Letter of approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention in UAE or recommendation from Emirates Council of Scientists.
Work Visa
For a work visa, you must get an entry permit of 30, 60, or 90 days in the UAE. You may apply for this visa while you are staying in the UAE.
Residency Visa
If you need to work, study, start a business, or live in the UAE, you may apply for a residency visa. Furthermore, the validity of your residency visa depends upon the purpose of your stay.
Medical Visa
A medical visa is ideal for people who need medical treatment in the UAE. You will be able to stay in the UAE for 60-90 days with this visa.
Eligibility and Documents for Dubai Visa
The eligibility criteria for a Dubai visa are as follows:
- A traveller must have a passport which is valid for six months.
- You have a confirmed return flight ticket from the Airline in UAE.
- You possess a sponsorship letter from your family(if applicable).
- You should have a photocopy of the host’s or UAE family member’s ID card or residence visa.
- The host should be able to support himself financially.
- Females under 18 who are not travelling with their parents can not apply for a Dubai visa.
Additionally, you need the following documents to apply for a Dubai visa:
- Passport valid for 6 months.
- You must submit a duly filled Dubai visa application form.
- Coloured photograph
- Return flight ticket from the UAE.
- Proof of accommodation like hotel reservation in Dubai.
- Proof of sufficient funds like bank statements.
- NOC for unmarried and solo female travellers under the age of 25.
- Travel insurance, which must be valid for your stay in the UAE.
- Prepare a letter that states your purpose of staying in the UAE.
- Travellers who have a host in the UAE should provide evidence of their relationship with the host and the financial and residential status of the host.
- Invitation letter from the host in the UAE.
Dubai Visa Photo Requirements
- The photograph should be recent, coloured, clear and passport-sized.
- Make Sure that the photo has a light background.
- The image size should be 45mm*35mm.
- Maintain a neutral facial expression while taking the photo.
How Can I Apply for a Dubai Visa?
You can apply for a Dubai visa through:
- Travel agencies or
- Hotels in the UAE, or
- A sponsor in the UAE, or
- Airlines like Air Arabia, Fly Dubai and Emirates Airlines.
Where to Apply for a Dubai Visa?
- Sponsors can apply for a Dubai visa through licensed typing centres of GDFRA.
- Sponsors, travel agents and hosts can apply on your behalf through the eChanel portals of the Federal Authority of India and Citizenship-ICA.
- Travellers can also apply through the official websites of GDFRA.
How Can I Track My Application Status for a Dubai Visa?
Travellers can check the application status of their Dubai visa through the official website of ICA. If tourists have applied through airlines or other visa agencies, they can check their visa application status by contacting the travel agency or through the official website of the airlines.
Who can be a sponsor for a Dubai Visa?
A sponsor for a Dubai visa can be:
- Employers in the UAE can sponsor work/visit visas for employees.
- Airlines can sponsor the staff for transit visas of the team.
- Family or friends in the UAE can sponsor a visit visa.
- Travel companies or hotels in the UAE can be your sponsors, but you must have a reservation in the hotel beforehand.
Dubai Visa on Arrival
The authorities may grant a Dubai Visa on Arrival to you if you fulfil the following requirements:
- You must have
a) a US visa/green card, or
b)a permanent residence visa from the UK or
c)a residence visa issued by the EU.
- You must have a passport valid for 6 months.
- You should possess a return flight ticket from Dubai.
- You need to pay a visa application fee of Rs. 2700.
A visa on arrival will permit you to stay for 14 days in Dubai.
Application Process for Dubai Visa on Arrival:
- Check-in at the immigration counter of an airport in India and provide your valid residence permit/green card.
- The Dubai embassy will approve your visa in 10 minutes.
- You will get a boarding pass after approval.
- After you arrive in Dubai, head to the Marhaba Services Stall at the airport of Dubai.
- Provide documents like a boarding pass, visa, and passport to airport staff and pay the visa fee.
Dubai Visa Processing Time, Validity and Fees
| Type | Duration of stay | Processing time | Visa Validity | Stay | Visa Price |
| 30 days Tourist visa (Regular) | 30 days | 5-6 days | 58 days | Single | Rs.7199 |
| 30 days tourist visa (Express) | 30 days | 2-3 days | 58 days | Single | Rs. 8199 |
| Dubai tourist visa(Multiple entry) | 30 days | 5 days | 58 days | Multiple | Rs. 24999 |
| Regular 14 days tourist visa | 14 days | 5-6 days | 58 days | Single | Rs.6999 |
| Express 14 days tourist visa | 14 days | 48 hours | 58 days | Single | Rs. 7999 |
| 60 days Dubai tourist visa | 60 days | 5 days | 58 days | Single | Rs.18999 |
| 60 days Dubai job seeker visa | 60 days | 5 days | 58 days | Single | Rs.23999 |
| 48 hours Dubai transit visa | 48 hours | 5 days | 30 days | Single | Rs.1999 |
| 96 hours Dubai transit visa | 96 hours | 5 days | 30 days | Single | Rs.3999 |
Guidelines for Dubai Visa
- You can visit any of the emirates of the UAE with a Dubai visa.
- Dubai only grants e-visa to Indians, so your passport will not have any stamps or stickers.
- After you get an email of your e-visa, remember to take a printout.
- You must acquire an Okay To Board (OTB) clearance immediately after booking your flight for Dubai. You will get this clearance after the airport staff has verified your visa.
- Apply for a Dubai visa at least 30 days before your travel date.
- Ensure that you apply for the right type of Dubai visa which suits your travel plan.
Extension of Dubai Visa
- You can extend your visa for 30 days from the UAE.
- Travellers can only extend their Dubai visa duration to 120 days.
- The cost for a Dubai visa extension is AED 1100.
Where can I apply for a Dubai Visa Extension?
Travellers may apply for an extension of their UAE visa through GDFRA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs) centres.
These centres are located all across Dubai. Additionally, travellers can apply for visa extension through:
- GDFRA Headquarters: The Headquarters of GDFRA is located in Al Jafiliya, Dubai. GDFRA headquarters is the main centre for any visa-related problems.
- Amer centres: These centres offer all government-related services, including visa extension. You can find Amer centres in malls of Dubai.
- Online: Some travellers can apply for visa extensions through the UAE government portal or the GDFRA website.
How Can I Apply for an Extension of My Dubai Visa?
- Visit the UAE govt. Portal or GDFRA website.
- Log in to your account.
- Search for a visa extension service.
- Enter the required details like your passport number and nationality.
- Upload a copy of your passport, a coloured passport-size photograph, and your sponsor’s documents(if applicable).
- Click on submit and pay the visa extension fee.
Can the Authorities Reject my Dubai Visa Application?
Yes, the authorities can reject your Dubai visa application in the following situations:
- Incomplete application: The authorities will only accept your Dubai visa application if you submit all the necessary documents, like passport, photograph, etc., with your application.
- Invalid documents: The authorities will only accept your Dubai visa application if your documents meet the specified criteria. For instance, the date of your flight in the UAE visa application form and the tickets should match.
- Women under 25: Generally, women under the age of 25 travelling without any guardian, relative, or parent face rejection.
- Overstay on the previous Dubai visa: If you extended your stay on your last Dubai visit without applying for a visa extension, your name may get blacklisted. You may also be banned from entering Dubai.
- Handwritten passports: The authorities of Dubai do not accept hand-written passports; if you submit a hand-written passport, your application will be rejected.
- Unutilised Dubai visa: If you previously applied for a Dubai visa but did not enter the country, the authorities may reject your visa.
- Blur photograph: You should submit a clear passport-sized photo for the approval of your UAE visa application.
- Criminal record: The authorities will not approve your Dubai visa if you have any criminal record in any emirates of the UAE.
- Similar date of birth or name: If you share a name or date of birth with a family member, and you both plan to travel together in Dubai, you may face a delay in the grant of your visa or even a rejection of your UAE visa application.
Overstaying a Dubai Visa
You will have to pay a fine through entry ports, immigration centres, or American offices if you overstay your Dubai visa.
- Travellers have to pay 50 AED per day for overstaying their Dubai visas.
- If you stay in Dubai after the expiration of your UAE visa, you will have to pay an additional 100 AED when you leave Dubai airport.
You can check your fine amount through the GDFRA or ICP websites.
Please note that overstaying UAE visas may also affect re-entry into Dubai.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned about the application process for a UAE visa.
Furthermore, we also learned the essential documents, eligibility, types, validity, and processing time for Dubai visas. Additionally, we learned about the reasons for visa extensions and the implications of overstaying a visa.
We hope this article gave you tremendous help in applying for your UAE visa.
FAQs
Q.1: Can I apply for a visa extension after the expiry of my UAE visa?
Yes, you can apply for a visa extension after the expiry of your UAE visas. However, you should apply for a visa extension before expiry to avoid penalties and complications.
Q.2: What can I do if the authorities reject my Dubai visa?
You may file an appeal in the UAE High Commission if the authorities reject your Dubai visas. Please note that you will have to wait for the reply from the authorities before applying for new Dubai visas.
Q.3: When can I re-apply for a Dubai visa?
You can apply for a Dubai visa after the rejection of your visa. However, if you raised an appeal to the UAE High Commission, you must wait for their reply.
Q.4: What is the difference between single and multiple-entry Dubai visas?
Single-entry Dubai visas will allow you to visit UAE one time, whereas you can visit Dubai multiple times with multiple-entry visas. Generally, tourists should opt for a single-entry visa. If you visit Dubai frequently, you should go for multiple- visas.
Q.5: How do I pay for my Dubai visas application?
You can pay for your Dubai visas application through debit/credit cards.
Q.6: Is travel insurance mandatory for Dubai visas?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for Dubai visas. You must submit a copy of your travel insurance at the time of application.
Q.7: Is it easy to get Dubai visas?
Yes, it is easy to get Dubai visas. However, we advise you to take the assistance of travel agencies for guidance.
Q.8: Can I get a refund of my Dubai visas application fee?
No, you can not get a refund of your Dubai visas application fee. It is a non-refundable fee, and travellers should apply for their visas wisely.
Q.9: Are UAE and Dubai visas different?
No, UAE and Dubai visas are the same visas. Please note that the popular name for the UAE visas is the Dubai visas.
Q.10: Can I cancel my entry permit in Dubai?
Yes, you can cancel your entry permit in Dubai through the ICP portal.
Q.11: What to wear in Dubai?
It is ideal to wear clothes that fully cover your body in Dubai. Women should dress modestly.
