UAE Visa Application Process 2023

UAE Visa

Irsa GulJuly 1, 2023Last Updated: July 1, 2023

0 9 minutes read

Hi Everyone! Welcome back to another blog. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the various types of visas available for visitors to the United Arab Emirates. The guide includes information on tourist visas, business visas, student visas, and residency visas, as well as the requirements and application process for each type. Additionally, the article provides helpful tips and advice for travelers planning to visit the UAE.

Who needs a UAE Visa?

Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. The visa requirements vary depending on the nationality of the traveler and the purpose of the visit. Citizens of certain countries are eligible for visa-free entry or can obtain a visa on arrival, while others need to apply for a visa in advance.

Now I will tell you the list of countries along with their visa exemption agreement duration with UAE;

Andorra (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Argentina (Visa free for up to 90 days)
Australia (Visa on Arrival for up to 30 days)
Bahamas (Visa on Arrival for up to 90 days)
Bahrain (enter UAE with a passport or ID)
Barbados (Visa free for up to 90 days)
Brazil (Visa free for up to 90 days)
Brunei (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Canada (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Chile (Visa free for up to 90 days)
China (Visa free for up to 30 days)
Costa Rica (Visa on arrival for up to 90 days)
El Salvador (Visa on arrival for up to 90 days)
EU Members except for UK and Ireland (Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
Honduras (Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 days)
Hong Kong (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Iceland (Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period)
Ireland (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Japan (Visa free for up to 30 days)
Kazakhstan (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Kuwait (enter UAE with a passport or ID)
Liechtenstein (Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period)
Macau (Visa free for up to 30 days)
Malaysia (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Maldives (Visa on arrival for up to 90 days)
Mauritius (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Mexico (Visa free for up to 180 days)
Monaco (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Mongolia (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Montenegro (Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period)
Nauru (Visa free for up to 90 days)
New Zealand (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Norway (Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period)
Oman (enter UAE with a passport or ID)
Paraguay (Visa free up to 90 days)
Russia (Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Visa free (for up to 90 days in any 180 day period)
San Marino (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Saudi Arabia (enter UAE with a passport or ID)
Serbia (Visa free for up to 90 days)
Seychelles (Visa free for up to 90 days)
Singapore (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Solomon Islands (Visa free for up to 90 days)
South Korea (Visa on arrival for up to 90 days)
Switzerland (Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period)
Ukraine (Visa free for up to 30 days)
United Kingdom (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
United States (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)
Uruguay (Visa free for up to 90 days)
Vatican City (Visa on arrival for up to 30 days)

Now I will tell you the list of countries from which their citizens do not need a UAE Visa for tourist purposes and they are also eligible to apply for a UAE Visa on Arrival if they have a Diplomatic or Official Passport;

Albania	Algeria	Armenia
Azerbaijan	Belarus	Colombia
Congo	Cuba	Egypt
Equatorial Guinea	Georgia	Grenada
India	Indonesia	Liberia
Morocco	Rwanda	Saint Lucia
Serbia	Tonga	Tunisia
Turkey	Turkmenistan	Vanuatu
Vietnam	Burkina Faso	Burundi
Chad	Congo DR	Ethiopia
Guinea	Jordan	Kyrgyzstan
Mali	Niger	Senegal
Uzbekistan

About UAE Entry Permit

The UAE Entry Permit is an electronic authorization that allows travelers to enter the United Arab Emirates for a specific purpose, such as tourism, business, or study. The entry permit is valid for a limited period, which varies depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay.

Before traveling to the UAE, it is necessary to obtain an entry permit, which should be arranged by your sponsor through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The validity of the entry permit and the allowed duration of stay in the UAE will depend on the purpose of your visit.

If you’re transiting, you may receive an entry permit (transit visa) for up to 48 or 96 hours.
For a tourist entry permit (tourist visa) is valid for up to 30 days.
For employment purposes, the entry permit may be valid for up to 60 days.

The UAE visa entry requirements for some countries may be subject to conflicting information online.

Liberia and Mongolia

For instance, it’s unclear whether citizens of Liberia and Mongolia are visa-exempt, as this information is only found on the IATA website.

Grenda

While Grenada citizens may be eligible for a UAE visa on arrival valid for 90 days according to the UAE Embassy in London and the government website, the IATA website and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs do not support this.

Nauru and Solomon Islands

There’s conflicting information on whether citizens of Nauru and the Solomon Islands require a visa for UAE, as different sources provide varying information.

Do visitors need separate Dubai and Abu Dabhi visas if they have UAE visas?

No, visitors to the United Arab Emirates do not need separate visas for Dubai and Abu Dhabi if they already have valid UAE visas. The UAE visa allows travelers to enter and move freely within any of the seven emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, it’s important to note that some activities or events may require additional permits or approvals, so it’s advisable to check the specific requirements for any planned activities in advance.

UAE Visa Types

Following are the main types of UAE Visas, that are mentioned below;

UAE Tourist Visa- Valid up to 30 days, does not require a residence permit
UAE Residence Visas- require a temporary residence permit

1- UAE Student Visa

2- UAE Work Visa

3- UAE Family Visa

4- Dubai Digital Nomad Visa

5- UAE Retirement Visa

UAE Long-Term Residence Visas (Investor Visa)- valid up to 5 to 10 years and require a permanent residence permit
UAE Transit Visas- valid up to 48 to 96 hours

About UAE Residence Visas

Moving to the UAE as a foreigner requires obtaining a Residence Visa, but the process involves first obtaining an Entry Permit. While the Entry Permit is a temporary authorization to enter the UAE for a specific purpose, the Residence Visa allows you to stay in the country for a longer period.

However, the process of obtaining a Residence Visa can be complicated and is dependent on meeting certain requirements set by the GDRFA, and the application must be submitted by your sponsor. It’s important to note that the process for obtaining a Residence Visa may vary depending on the purpose of your stay in the UAE.

Documents Required for UAE Visa

Now I will tell you about the documents that are required to attach along with the application form to apply for a UAE Visa;

Applicant’s Passport (photocopy)
Sponsor’s Passport (photocopy)
Passport Sized Photographs
For Female applicants, NOC from the father or husband
Round-trip airline ticket
Evidence of accommodation
Evidence of Travel Medical Insurance
Letter of Purpose
Evidence of Legal Residence
Evidence of Previous Travels
If the applicant has a host, then provide evidence of a relationship with the host and their residential and financial status
Evidence of Applicant’s financial status
Evidence of Current Home Address of Applicant
And some additional documents that are required on the basis of the purpose of the visit

How to apply?

It’s important to note that, unlike most countries, the UAE does not issue visas through its embassies or consulates overseas, and you cannot apply for a UAE visa on your own. Instead, you must have a sponsor in the UAE or apply through an authorized agency to submit your application, which can be done in the following ways:

Have a host or sponsor who is already living in the UAE apply for the visa on your behalf.
Apply through a licensed travel agency in your home country or through a local tour operator in the UAE. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the agency or operator is reputable and licensed before making any payment.
Have the hotel where you plan to stay in the UAE apply for the visa on your behalf.
Apply for the visa through one of the following airlines: Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, Fly Dubai, or Air Arabia, provided that you’ll be flying with them.

It’s important to note that the process of obtaining a UAE visa can be complicated, and requirements may vary depending on the purpose of your visit.

Where to apply?

Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) eChanel portal – for hosts, travel agencies or other sponsors to apply for a UAE visa on your behalf (online only)
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website – for both online and in-person applications
GDRFA websites of each emirate – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah
Mobile apps – ICA’s eChanel portal for Apple and Android devices
Licensed typing centers – your sponsor or host can apply through one of the licensed typing centers of the GDRFA in each Emirate
Amer centers – in Dubai for a family reunion and for visitors to extend their Visa On Arrival.

eVisa Application for GCC Residents

Residents of GCC countries are not exempt from UAE visa requirements like GCC nationals, but they can apply for a visa through a facilitated online process if they are traveling with GCC citizens. The GCC countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

If you are a GCC resident traveling with a GCC national, you can apply for a UAE visa through the following websites:

Here – for an Entry Permit
Here – for a Resident Visa

After submitting your application, your UAE visa will be sent to the address you provided. The visa is valid for 30 days and may be extended for an additional 30 days. However, if you are a GCC resident traveling alone, you cannot apply through the online portal. You will need to apply through a sponsor in the UAE or an authorized agency.

Duration of a UAE Visa

Now I will tell you the durations of the different types of UAE Visas;

Transit Visa: up to 48 or 96 hours, depending on the transit time.
Tourist Visa: up to 30 days from the date of entry, and it can be extended once for an additional 30 days.
Visit Visa: up to 90 days from the date of entry, and it can be extended twice for 30 days each time.
Employment Visa: up to 60 days from the date of entry, and it can be extended for an additional 30 days.
Residence Visa: valid for three years, but it must be renewed annually.

Extension of a UAE Visa

Extension of a UAE visa can be possible, but it depends on the type of visa you have. Here are some options for extending your UAE visa:

Tourist visa extension: If you have a tourist visa, you can apply for an extension twice, for 30 days each time. The extension will cost you around AED 600 for each 30-day period. You can apply for the extension through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) website.
Visit visa extension: If you have a visit visa, it can be extended once for another 30 days. You can apply for the extension through the GDRFA website. However, please note that some visit visas cannot be extended.
Employment visa extension: If you are in the UAE on an employment visa, your employer will have to apply for a visa renewal for you. The renewal process usually takes around 60 days. You will need to have a valid medical fitness certificate and a valid Emirates ID to apply for a renewal.
Residence visa extension: If you have a residence visa, it can be renewed every three years. The renewal process is usually initiated by your sponsor or employer. You will need to have a valid medical fitness certificate and a valid Emirates ID to apply for a renewal.

You are not eligible to apply for UAE Visa Extension if you are;

Visitor or Tourist
GCC Resident
hold a special entry permit
have 96 hours special mission permit

Extension Policy for Widows and Divorcees

The UAE government provides special consideration for widows and divorcees when it comes to visa extensions. If a woman is a resident of the UAE and her husband passes away or gets a divorce, she may be eligible for a one-year visa extension.

The application for the visa extension must be submitted to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The GDRFA will review the application and decide whether or not to grant the extension.

For More Details Visit The Official Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE.