Foreign Affairs

Foreigners wishing to enter the United Arab Emirates must apply to the Naturalization and Immigration Department at the Ministry of the Interior in order to obtain a Visa. Visas are granted by the Department vary based upon the foreign visitors purpose for visiting the country.

Not all foreigners are required to obtain visas to enter Dubai; citizens of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, i.e. citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council, and British nationals can enter the country without Visas. Initially British citizens can stay for one month but after that they must apply for a Visa, which allows them to stay for an additional two months. On the other hand, GCC nationals are essentially allowed to stay for as long as they like.

A variety of visas may be obtained from the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD). The following is a list and brief description of these visas.

• 96 hour visa

  • Issued upon arrival at the airport

  • Sponsored by airlines

  • Applicants are required to have onward tickets

  • Should have a transit break of at least 8 hours

• Visit visa, with personal sponsorship

  • Fee: Dhs 100

  • Applicants must submitted a typed, completed entry permit application form

  • Copies of both the sponsor and the sponsored passports must be provided

  • In the case of wife sponsorship, an original marriage certificate as well as a copy must be submitted

  • Proof of salary must be provided

    • In the case of wife sponsorship, the monthly salary must be greater than Dhs 4000

    • In the case of first relatives sponsorship, the monthly salary must be greater than Dhs 6000

  • Visas may be renewed for Dhs 100 and the original entry permit must be provided

  • Extensions may be granted for Dhs 500 and upon submittal of the original entry permit, a completed extension application form, and the original sponsored passport.

• Visit visa, with establishment sponsorship

  • Fee: Dhs 100

  • Applicants must submitted a typed, completed entry permit application form

  • Both the original and a copy of the establishment card must be submitted

  • A copy of the sponsored passport must be provided

  • Visas may be renewed for Dhs 100 and the original entry permit must be provided

  • Extensions may be granted for Dhs 500 and upon submittal of the original entry permit, a completed extension application form, and the original sponsored passport.

• Tourist visa

  • Fee: Dhs 100

  • Establishment card

  • Statement of tourist’s data

German nationals, whether tourists or business visitors, have the possibility to apply for a one or two year multiple-entry visa without sponsorship at the United Arab Emirates embassy in Germany. Visitors using this option should not spend more than a total of three months per year in the United Arab Emirates and must pay a fee of Dh 1500.

Likewise, citizens of the United States of America have the possibility to apply for multiple entry visas that may be valid for anywhere between one and ten years. However, such visas require a sponsor. Visitors using this option should not plan any visit lasting more than six months. These visas are available free of charge.

Once granted, visas are delivered to the airport and may collected upon arrival. There is a fee for this service.

Please be aware that should your visa demonstrate any signs of travel to Israel, you will not be permitted to enter any area of the United Arab Emirates.

It is possible to obtain a multiple visit visa only after a normal visa has been issued and used. In order to obtain a multiple visit visa, an applicant must enter the UAE on a regular visit visa and then apply for the multiple entry visa while in the country. These are a useful option for business visitors who frequently visit the United Arab Emirates and have a have a relationship with a reputable company in the UAE. Multiple visit visas are valid for six months from date of issue but no one visit may exceed 30 days in total. The cost of a multiple visit visa is Dh1000.

A Residence Visas are stamped onto passports and proves the legal residence of an expatriate in the country. Residence visas are granted to workers who have been granted work permits or for relatives living with them permanently.