Visa on arrival for 33 countries

Free visa on arrival facility is granted to citizens of 33 countries specified below. A visit visa is now stamped directly on your passport on landing at the airport and is valid for 60 days. Such visitors can stay for a total of 60 days in the UAE (consisting of 7 emirates - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain).


European countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Vatican. UK visitors already enjoy this facility of receiving an automatic 28-day visit visa on arrival in the UAE.

US & Other Countries: US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

AGCC countries: Nationals and expat residents of AGCC countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia also do not require a visa in advance to enter Dubai.

Visit Visa required by other countries (other than the 33 mentioned above)

A Visit Visa can be sponsored by

         1. A UAE resident
         2. A company or
         3. An Hotel licensed to operate within the UAE.

(To book hotels on GoDubai at special rates, click here. Visas are also arranged.)

Visit visas for close family members as well as for others, can be obtained if the concerned sponsor fits into the stipulated salary bracket of basic Dhs.4000 (without accommodation) and Dhs 3000 (with accommodation). However all rules are subject to change without notice.

Points to note

The Visit Visa applies to tourists who wish to visit Dubai, for family visits as well as those on long-term business visits.
You have to enter UAE within two months from its date of issue.
The Visit Visa is valid for 60 days and is renewable for another extra month with a fee of Dhs 500 charged for this renewal.
A Visit Visa further entitles its holder to change his status to that of residence or employment provided certain conditions are met.
A penalty charge of Dhs 100 per day is imposed on visitors who overstay.
Essential Documents to be submitted by sponsor to the Immigration Dept. for obtaining visit visa: Passport of sponsor (original and photocopy), Passport photocopy (clear version) of the first few pages of the visitor's passport, which should be valid for at least 3 months, sworn affidavit (from respective consulate if necessary), and Application form (to be filled in Arabic) along with a payment of Dhs 100. The sponsor will also require the visitor's date of arrival and arrival details.

Emirates Airlines charges Dhs 165 or US $45 towards visit visa.

Transit Visa or Stopover Visa

This is a special type of visa, which applies to passengers passing through UAE airports. The passenger can obtain a visa for up to 96 hours. The travel document will be stamped with an entry seal. The visa is only valid if the passenger is travelling onwards from Dubai to another destination and not returning to the country of original departure. This visa can be sponsored by any airline operating in the UAE. Emirates Airlines charges Dhs 51 or $14 for stopover visa upto 96 hours.

Employment/Residence Visa

On landing a job in the UAE, the employment visa for the employee is usually arranged by his employers. The formalities for procuring the same are fulfilled by them. This employment visa entitles him to be a resident in the UAE for a period of 3 years (can be renewed thereafter). This visa also enables him to sponsor his wife and children for residence provided he earns Dhs 4000 without accommodation or Dhs 3000 with accommodation. The employee can also come on visit and convert it to employment or residence visa on fulfilment of certain conditions.
Note: A woman cannot sponsor her spouse and children for residence visa even if she earns the stipulated salary or more unless she is a doctor, teacher or nurse.

Medical Requirements

No health certificate is required for entry to Dubai but it is advisable to check before departure for any change of rules.