Abu Dhabi: The UAE offers foreigners with different types of visas that allow them to enter the country on a temporary visit, whether for a single trip or for several trips. The entry visa is classified according to the purpose of the visit.
According to the latest updates on the executive regulations of the Law on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners, these visas include the following:
Tourism; visiting a relative or friend; work mission; exploring job opportunities; exploring opportunities to establish a business; (medical) treatment; study, training; and courtesy visa.
The executive regulations of the law stipulate that the duration of the visitor’s stay is determined by the purpose of his arrival to the country, in line with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)’s criteria.
Visa for tourists
ICP grants foreigners an entry visa for the purpose of tourism according to specific periods, including 30 days or 60 days, and the guarantor or host within the country is one of the establishments working in the field of tourism, after the prescribed fee and financial guarantees are provided.
A multiple entry tourist visa enables tourists to enter the UAE more than once for a period of five years without the need for a guarantor or host. The tourist remains within the country for 90 days on each visit, and the visit can be extended for another 90 days, so that his total visit does not exceed 180 days. This type of tourist visa applies for all nationalities, and the applicant must have a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies during the previous six months, a health insurance policy valid in the country, a return flight ticket from the Emirates, and proof of residence (hotel or residential address) in the UAE.
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Visa for visiting relative or friend
According to ICP, individuals residing in the Emirates can apply on their own a visa for a visiting relative from abroad through the smart services system, with proof of kinship and justification for the visit. The visitor must enter the country within 60 days from the date of issuance of the entry permit. This permit is valid for the period for which it was issued. Accordingly, one must leave the country or extend the entry permit before the expiration of the prescribed period.
Visa for finding work
Foreigners are also granted a visit visa to explore job opportunities and find work during a trip, and they can stay for the prescribed number of days. The visa does not require a guarantor or host within the country and is subject to certain conditions.
Visa to explore business opportunities
This visa allows foreign businessmen to enter the country without the need for a guarantor or host, with the aim of exploring opportunities to establish businesses in the country. It aims to encourage them to learn about investment opportunities in the Emirates, and is issued for one trip for a prescribed number of days, subject to certain conditions.
Visa for study, training
Viss for study is issued to international students coming from abroad to enroll in universities, colleges and higher education institutions in the UAE. The foreigner is granted a visit visa for a single entry for the purpose of study or training for a prescribed period. In this case, the sponsor/host should be one of the licensed universities, institutes, educational or research institutions.
Visa for medical treatment
The foreigner is also granted a visit visa for the purpose of treatment (medical visa) for one or several entries. In this case, the sponsor/host should be licensed as a health facility in the UAE. The visa may also be granted to the escort/escorts of the patient.
Foreign patients can enter the UAE for treatment under the sponsorship of medical institutions and hospitals. The entry permit for the patient’s companion may be extended only once, provided that a duly certified medical report is provided stating that the patient needs to continue treatment.
Courtesy visa
The courtesy visa is issued by UAE embassies abroad, subject to the approval of ICP. Regarding the beneficiaries of this type of visa, the regulations specify two categories. The first includes individuals whom the embassy or consular bodies deem fit to obtain this visa. The second applies to holders of diplomatic, special and United Nations passports. In both cases, the approval of the ICP is required.
