Dubai, a renowned global trade hub and a favorite tourist hotspot, along with other regions of the UAE, witnesses a massive influx of visa applications. These applications come from tourists, prospective employees, and business travelers alike. The government offers a variety of entry permits and visas, each tailored to the specific purpose of your stay. This article provides an in-depth look into the most frequently issued Dubai visas, which include tourist visas, transit visas, residence visas, and business visas.

Types of Dubai Visas

Depending on the intent of their visit, anyone wishing to explore the city can apply for one of the following Dubai visas.

DUBAI TOURIST VISA 

The Dubai tourist visa opens the door for individuals worldwide to visit Dubai for a duration ranging from 30 to 180 days. Whether for tourism, leisure, or business, this visa caters to all.

Dubai tourist visas can be single entry or multiple entries, based on the application. This visa is specifically for those who are not eligible for a visa on arrival or visa-free entry to the UAE.

To be eligible for a Dubai tourist visa, applicants must be 18 years or older. Female travelers under 18 are not eligible for a tourist visa in Dubai unless they are accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. The cost of tourist visas varies from AED 250 to AED 1,740.

For a multi-entry tourist visa, which can last up to a maximum of 180 days, no sponsor is required. However, a bank statement showing a minimum balance of $4,000 is necessary.

Previously, the UAE government allowed a 10-day grace period before imposing an AED 50 per day fine. However, this grace period has been discontinued, and the fine is now imposed immediately after your visa expires.

Dubai Transit Visa

The Dubai transit visa is an ideal choice for travelers with extended layovers at the Dubai International Airport. This visa is applicable for visitors who are not eligible for a visa on arrival or visa-free entry, and can be issued for either 48 hours or 96 hours. Please note that once issued, the 48-hour transit visa cannot be extended to a 96-hour visa.

While the 48-hour Dubai transit visa is complimentary, the 96-hour transit visa comes with a fee of AED 50. The following documents are required to apply for a transit visa:

• A passport with a minimum validity of three months for the 48-hour transit visa.
• A passport with a minimum validity of six months for the 96-hour transit visa.
• A recent photograph with a white background.
• A ticket to your final destination post the Dubai stopover.

Student Visa in Dubai

For students aspiring to pursue higher education in Dubai, a valid student visa is a must. To qualify for the Dubai student visa, the applicant must:

• Be a minimum of 18 years old.
• Pass the medical fitness test.
• Have a visa sponsor (university, relative, or parent).
• Receive approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

The Dubai student visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for the same duration upon providing proof of continuing study from the respective university. It’s important to note that visa renewal would also contribute to your overall cost of living in Dubai.

Work Permit/Residence Visa in Dubai

To legally work in Dubai, a Dubai work permit is mandatory. The responsibility of fulfilling the work permit requirements and application in Dubai typically falls on your sponsor or hiring company. However, you are required to provide:

• A medical test result
• Attested educational certificates
• Recent photographs
• Copies of your passport (with a minimum validity of six months)

Upon finalization, the Dubai work permit also serves as your residency permit, allowing you to live in Dubai. If you change jobs within the UAE, the permit can be transferred.

With a valid residency permit and meeting the salary criteria, you become eligible to apply for a family visa in the UAE. Men sponsored by their wives have the option to apply for UAE work permits for husbands.

In line with the new rules implemented from September 2022, parents can sponsor their sons until the age of 25 and daughters until they get married.

RESIDENCE VISA FOR REMOTE WORKERS

Dubai’s innovative residence program extends a one-year residence visa to remote workers and their families, enabling them to live and work in the Emirate. This program allows remote workers worldwide to experience Dubai’s unique lifestyle, superior amenities, and well-structured public services. A corporate tax is only applicable if the annual turnover surpasses AED 1M.

To qualify for the Dubai remote workers residence visa, applicants must possess:

• A passport with a minimum validity of six months
• Health insurance that includes UAE coverage
• Evidence of employment/ownership (for business owners)
• Employment contract/Company ownership documents with a minimum validity of one year
• Payslip from the previous month
• Bank statements from the past three months
• A monthly salary or an average monthly income of at least USD 5,000 (for businessmen)

The Dubai visa for remote workers costs AED 1,054 (USD 287) per person. This remote worker residence visa in Dubai is valid for one year.

Retirement Visa

The retirement visa in Dubai is exclusively issued to residents who fulfill certain eligibility criteria. Retired residents or foreign nationals desiring a long-term visa for retirement in Dubai must be over 55 years old and meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Own a property valued at a minimum of AED 1M and have financial savings of AED 1M.
• Possess at least AED 1M in financial savings.
• Have a minimum of AED 20k of active monthly income (In Dubai, it is AED 15k).

The retirement visa is valid for five years post-issuance and can be renewed provided the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria.

Business and Other Visas in Dubai

Dubai offers specific types of visas tailored to entrepreneurs, investors, and other related categories. These visas include:

Golden Visa

The UAE long-term visa, popularly known as the UAE Golden Visa, enables individuals who meet certain criteria to apply for long-term residency in Dubai and the UAE. The golden visa is available in 5-year and 10-year categories.

Eligibility for the UAE golden visa extends to:

• Investors
• Real estate investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Exceptionally talented individuals such as doctors, researchers, innovators, scientists, and outstanding students
• PhD holders in the UAE
• UAE-based doctors and physicians
• UAE-based biotechnology, computer science, programming, electronics, and electrical engineers
• Specialists in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, epidemiology, and virology
• Top graduates from UAE’s high school and their families
• Religious researchers, preachers, muezzins, and imams who have served 20 years or more in Dubai.

Dubai Business Visa

The UAE Business Visa, a subset of the Golden Visa scheme, welcomes entrepreneurs worldwide. Eligibility for the UAE Business Golden Visa requires entrepreneurs to have established their own business at least once in their professional journey.

To secure a UAE Business Golden Visa, the eligible entrepreneur must:

• Verify their entrepreneurial experience
• Possess or have possessed majority shares in a startup and/or held a senior leadership position in it
• Express willingness to establish a business and legally relocate to the UAE
• Present a business plan or ideas for their entrepreneurial venture in the UAE

In addition to establishing your business in Dubai, the business visa enables you to:

• Secure a long-term residency visa for your dependents (parents, children, and spouses), subject to specific conditions
• Obtain an initial 6-month multiple-entry visa to facilitate business establishment procedures
• Nominate up to 3 senior business personnel for residency

Dubai Investor or Partner Visa

This Dubai visa category is tailored for foreign nationals aspiring to start their own business in the Emirate or invest in an existing business. The Dubai investor visa, valid for three years, permits the holder to live and work in the UAE and sponsor their family members.

Eligibility for the partner/investor visa in Dubai requires an individual to:

• Possess shares worth a minimum of AED 72,000 in an existing UAE company or
• Establish a company with a capital investment worth AED 72,000

Job Exploration Entry Visa

Job seekers can apply for this Dubai visa without requiring any sponsor or host. It is granted to individuals who fall within the first, second, or third skill level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Additionally, graduation from any of the top 500 global universities is mandatory. The maximum duration of this visa is 120 days.

Green Visas for Investors, Partners, Skilled Employees, and Freelancers

In line with the latest amendments announced by the UAE government, new Green Dubai visas will be issued to investors, partners, skilled employees, and freelancers. This visa is valid for a duration of 5 years.

Skilled workers or freelancers applying for this visa must hold a bachelor’s degree and earn a salary not less than AED 15k. Importantly, they do not require a sponsor or an employer to apply for this visa.

Investors and partners are required to obtain relevant approval for their investment and furnish proof.

Applicants in this category are granted a sixty-day permit, intended to facilitate entry while the residency process is underway.

Patients and Companion Entry Permits

Foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in the UAE can secure a patient’s entry permit, sponsored by a hospital registered in the country. A companion can accompany the patient with a similar entry permit. These entry permits in Dubai are available in two categories for both the patient and the companion:

• Single Entry Medical Treatment Permit
• Multiple Entry Medical Treatment Permit
• Single Entry Permit for Patient’s Companion
• Multiple Entry Permit for Patient’s Companion

Both types of Dubai medical entry permits can be extended. However, the patient companion permit can only be extended if the sponsor certifies the need for ongoing patient treatment and verifies a companion requirement in the UAE.

The following documents are required for these entry permits in Dubai:

• Copy of the passport (patient and companion)
• Health insurance (patient and companion)
• Financial security (patient and companion)
• Letter from a UAE-registered hospital stating the reasons for the visit (patient)

eVisa for GCC Residents

GCC residents (residents from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) intending to visit Dubai need to apply for an eVisa prior to their arrival in the city. This Dubai visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days. To be eligible for the eVisa, applicants must have a passport and GCC residency valid for at least three months from the date of arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dubai Visas

Where can I apply for a Dubai visa or entry permit?

Dubai visas can be applied for through the GDRFA official website or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship smart services portal.

Do I need a visa or entry permit to enter the UAE?

Yes, most individuals traveling to the UAE require a visa or an entry permit. Exceptions include GCC citizens, who can enter the UAE without a visa, and citizens from countries that have a visa-on-arrival agreement with the UAE.

What is the difference between a residence visa and an entry permit?

An entry permit, granted by the UAE government, allows you to enter the country for a specific duration and purpose. On the other hand, a residence visa enables expatriates to live in the UAE for an extended period. The UAE Residence Visa is issued to foreign nationals who are already residing in the UAE with an entry permit.

How long does it take to get a Dubai visa?

Upon submission of all required information/documents, it typically takes between four to seven working days to receive the entry permit.

How is the visa delivered to the applicant?

Once granted, the visa is sent to the applicant’s email address used during the application process.

Is a Dubai visa required for infants and children?

Yes, as per UAE law, all individuals – adults, children, and infants – must possess a valid visa to visit Dubai.

This concludes our overview of the different types of Dubai visas and entry permits. While we have covered the basic types of visas, it’s important to note that there are specific sub-categories for exceptional circumstances. Ensure to conduct thorough research to obtain the correct visa that aligns with the purpose of your visit.

A word of caution – Visitors to Dubai must ensure they do not overstay beyond their visa expiry date to avoid incurring overstay fines in the UAE. You can quickly check your UAE visa status online to verify your Dubai visa validity.