Visas are required by most visitors to Dubai, whether on holiday or business trips or intending to live and work there.
Visa requirements for Dubai change frequently. Sometimes government websites are not even up to date. The saftest thing to do is to check with the UAE embassy in your home country before leaving.
If your are taking up work in Dubai, your sponsor, which is normally your employer, will arrange the necessary visas and permits for you and can help you with the required documents.
Most visas and permits consist of passport stamps, so that immigration authorities can easily check that you have the necessary authorisation when you enter or leave the country. There are costs associated with the various visas and permits, but in the case of foreign workers these are normally met by your employer. Note that the prices quoted below should be taken as a guide only, as they’re subject to change, as are the conditions and requirements; the relevant state’s embassy or consulate can provide you with the current information.
Visit Visa
The Visit Visa applies to everyone staying longer than 14 days. All visitors will need to show evidence of medical insurance. Specific visa requirements vary for different nationalities:
GCC nationals may enter Dubai without a visa.
Citizens of specific countries can obtain their visa upon arrival at the airport: France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. It is valid for 30 days, costs AED100 ($30). It is payable on entry and non-renewable. UK citizens do not need a visa in advance, do not have to pay on entry and the visa is valid for a visit for up to 60 days; this visa can be renewed for a further 30 days for a AED500 ($130) fee.
Citizens of other countries can obtain a non-renewable visit visa through a sponsor for either 30 or 90 days. Since August 2008 expatriate workers can no longer act as sponsors for visting family members.
Transit Visa
Valid for 96 hours, transit visas are intended for those travelling within the Emirates and for short-stay business trips. They can be arranged by a sponsor or hotel.
Labour Card & Residence Visa
All foreign workers require a residence visa and ‘labour card’. To obtain these, you must first undergo a medical examination. Non-westerners generally require a more extensive examination than westerners. In due course, a residence visa is issued and eventually a labour card, which is a kind of identity card to be carried at all times, your passport having been surrendered to your employer.
Residence visas are valid for three years and are easy to renew. There’s an age limit of 50 years, but this can occasionally be overcome, if appropriate reasons are presented. New residents should remain in the Emirates for the first six months of their stay.
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