UAE is considered one of the most popular destinations all around the globe. The United Arab Emirates has everything a tourist or a businessman needs: from delicious cuisines to gorgeous landscapes. This is the main reason why millions of foreign nationals enter Dubai or other UAE countries for fun and glamour.
To enter UAE, the most important thing a foreign citizen need is a travel authorization, aka a visa. You can either apply for a traditional visa or an electronic visa, depending on the length of your stay and nationality.
Types of UAE e-Visa
If a foreign national wants to enter UAE for a short period of time, applying for a United Arab Emirates e-visa is the best choice for them. UAE introduced e-visa services in 2019 in order to make the visa application process streamlined. This means, unlike a traditional visa, foreign nationals are no longer required to visit the embassy or consulate office to apply for travel documents.
A United Arab Emirates e-visa allows a holder to enter the following countries:
Umm Al Quwain
Sharjah
Ras Al Khaimah
Fujairah
Dubai
Ajman
Abu Dhabi
As of today, UAE offers the following types of electronic visas:
Tourist Visa
For tourism and leisure purposes, foreign nationals can apply for a tourist e-visa. This travel document permits holders to visit UAE to:
Visit friends and family members
Spend vacations
Explore the country
UAE offers two types of tourist visas, including a single-entry visa and a multiple-entry visa. Both of these variations allow a holder to stay in the country for 30 days within a 60-day period.
Required Documents
To get a UAE tourist visa, applicants are required to fulfill some visa requirements. You'll need the following documents:
Valid Passport - An original passport with at least 2 blank pages for stamps and 6 months of validity remaining.
Photograph - Applicant's passport-type photograph with white background. The photograph must be digital and taken within the last 6 months.
Proof of Status - You'll need to provide a copy of your immigration status, such as a resident card, study, or work permit.
Health Insurance - It's recommended to get international health insurance prior to traveling to UAE.
Medical Certificate - You are required to do a PCR test with a validity of 96 hours ahead of your intended date of departure.
The United Arab Emirates visa and entry requirements vary from nationality to nationality. So, make sure you check out the required documents before applying for a travel document.
Business Visa
Alternatively, applicants can also get a UAE business visa. This travel document can be used to enter the country for professional and commercial activities, such as:
Enrolling a training program
Meeting with business associates
Attending meetings and conferences
Depending on your nationality, you can apply for either a single-entry business visa or a multiple-entry visa. Both of these visa types are valid for 60 days and allow a holder to stay in the country for 30 consecutive days.
Required Documents
The required documents for a UAE business visa depend upon your citizenship country. Generally speaking, you'll need documents to apply for a business visa for UAE:
Passport
Photograph
Proof of status
Business invitation letter
Business support letter
Medical certificate
Health declaration form
UAE e-Visa Application Process
Compared to a regular paper or stamp visa, an electronic visa is both fast and convenient. You don’t need to visit an embassy or schedule a visa interview. Instead, all you need to do is visit VisaHQ, select your citizenship country, and follow the following 3 steps:
Fill out the Visa Application Form - You'll need to fill out your online visa application form. To do so, you are required to provide personal, contact, travel, and passport information.
Pay the Visa Fee - Afterward, pay the embassy fee as well as the visa service fee. As this entire process is online, you'll need online payment methods, such as a debit card, credit card, or PayPal account.
Submit your Application - Finally, submit your application with supporting documents to process.
Upon approval, you'll get your e-visa via email. Keep in mind that an e-visa does not guarantee your entry to the country. The final decision will be made by the immigration authorities. So, make sure to fulfill all the entry requirements prior to traveling to the UAE.
Processing Time
The processing time for a UAE e-visa depends upon the citizenship. On average, applicants can get their e-visa within 7 days. However, if there are errors in your application form, your e-visa will be delayed. Therefore, it's recommended to apply for an e-visa at least 2 weeks prior to the intended departure date.
Once you get your UAE visa online, you can enter United Arab Emirates through Dubai International Airport!