UAE | Visa
Visit visas only for close relatives
Residents can apply for a 30-day or 90-day visit visa only for their spouses or close blood relatives. The visas are non-renewable and the holders can enter the country within two months from the date of issue.
- By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 October 18, 2008
- Residents in GCC countries and their domestic helpers can obtain a 30-day visit visa, renewable again for 30 days.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
Dubai: Residents can apply for a 30-day or 90-day visit visa only for their spouses or close blood relatives. The visas are non-renewable and the holders can enter the country within two months from the date of issue.
Residents in GCC countries and their domestic helpers can obtain a 30-day visit visa, renewable again for 30 days only.
A foreign wife of a citizen of a GCC country can obtain a 60-day visit visa if she holds a residence visa in the home country of her husband. This visa is renewable twice, allowing for a total permitted stay of 180 days. It can also be obtained for domestic helpers who accompany citizens of GCC countries.
A newly created visit visa for students is issued for 60 days and can be renewed twice for a similar period, for a maximum stay of 180 days. Students must be registered in one of the universities in the UAE and must obtain health insurance.
Business travellers who are frequent visitors to the UAE and who have a relationship with a reputable company here can obtain a multiple entry visa. However, each visit must not exceed 14 days.
Those wishing to undergo treatment must obtain a visit visa for treatment purposes. These visas are for a 90-day duration. They can be renewed once for a similar period.
Those visiting to attend conferences, exhibitions or festivals can obtain a 30-day visa for this purpose. It is not renewable.
Visa for guests of the Government is a special visa granted by UAE diplomats abroad free of charge. It can only be granted for a period of up to 90 days.
Tourist visa
People of all nationalities can now enter the UAE on a tourist visa. Earlier, nationals from 79 countries in the sub-continent, Middle East and elsewhere were not eligible for tourist visas and could come to the UAE only on visit visas.
Tourist visas for 30 days, renewable again for 30 days, can only be applied by a licensed hotel, travel or tourism agency. These firms must maintain a Dh75,000 bank guarantee. Tourists must be covered by health insurance.
A special mission entry visa is issued for 14 days and is non-renewable. Commonly known as a transit visa, it is collected by the visitor upon arrival. It is issued to businessmen and tourists sponsored by a company or commercial establishment, or a hotel licensed to operate in the UAE.
Mission visa is for the purpose of temporary work in the country. It is issued for a maximum of 180 days.
The visa is issued in conjunction with the Labour Ministry's Temporary Work Permits. An applicant must obtain the permit from the Labour Ministry to get the visa.
Transit visa is to be issued for travellers transiting through UAE airports. It is issued for 96 hours and must be sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE. The visitor must have a valid ticket for onward flight.
Quick list: Types of visas and fees
Short Entry (visit) Visa: 500 (1 month)
Long Entry (visit) Visa: 1,000 (3 months)
Multiple Entry Visa: 2,000
Entry Visa for Study: 1,000
Renewal of Study Visa: 500
Entry Visa for Medical Treatment: 1,000
Renewal of Medical Treatment Visa: 500
Entry Visa for Expos and Conferences: 100
Tourism Entry Visa: 100
Renewal of Tourism Visa: 500
Entry Visa for GCC State Residents: 100
Renewal of GCC State Resident's Visa: 500
Entry Visa for GCC State Resident's Companions: 100
Renewal of GCC State Residents Companions'Visa: 200
Mission Entry Visa: 200
Transit Entry Visa: 100
Dh1,000-Refundable deposit and proof of health insurance will be mandatory for all visas.
Documents required include passport copies, photographs of the visitor and the data of the visitor, including address in home country.
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