Dubai is now open for tourism, vacations, business, and adventures. For a city that is dependent on tourism, the lockdown period was difficult. But now that the world is returning to normalcy, it is time for you to remove your Dubai holiday plans from the backburner, head to the stunning city, and create memories for a lifetime. But before that can happen, you need a visa. So, get up to speed on the Dubai visa requirements and apply to make your dream vacation happen. The following information will help you know all about the Dubai visa.
Do You Need a Dubai Visa?
If you are not a natural-born citizen or a permanent resident of Dubai and are residing in a foreign country, you will need a Dubai visa to enter the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, there are two ways for you to get a visa. Either, you have to apply for a visa in advance or you can get a visa on arrival. This depends on which country you belong to.
What is a Visa on Arrival?
A visa on arrival is a visa issued to you after you have arrived in Dubai. This is quite a convenient way to get a visa. All you have to do is carry all your relevant documents with you, fill out the visa application, submit it at the immigration counter at the international airport, pay the visa fees, and you are granted a tourist visa.
Only short-term, single-entry tourist visas are granted through the process and only citizens of a few countries are eligible for this. It is even better for citizens belonging to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as they do not require a visa to come to Dubai. All they need is their country’s official ID.
Checklist for Documents Required
The following is the checklist of documents you will need if you want to get a Dubai visa:
Passport – For your visa, you’ll need a passport that has a validity of at least 6 months or more from your date of travel. This six-month period is a minimum and anything less can result in visa rejection. Your passport should also have been issued in the last 10 years. Damaged passports will not be accepted. Also, make sure your passport has a few blank pages.
Pictures – Taken against a plain white background, you’ll need passport pictures in which your face is completely (more than 80%) visible. The pictures cannot be older than 3 months from the date of your travel. If you are making an online application, make sure the pictures are in JPG or JPEG format.
National ID – You need to have colour scans of your country-issued national ID. This ID differs from country to country but needs to be valid. Like in the case of India, you’ll need your PAN Card.
Return Tickets – You will need to buy return tickets in advance that show you have the intention to return. These tickets are also important for you to get the Okay-to-Board status without which you will not be able to travel to Dubai.
Invitation Letter – This is needed if you are going to Dubai through an invite from a friend or family residing in Dubai. You will need the official letter of invitation and the details of your friend or family member who is sending the invite.
Application Process
- Fill out the application form with all the correct information and attach all the required documents,
- Submit the form online or to the UAE consulate and pay the visa fees. This fee is required for the processing of your visa and is non-refundable.
- If all the documents are in order, you may be required to give an interview, however, usually, tourist visas are granted without an interview.
- You will have your visa ready in 7-10 working days.
Okay-to-Board
With the help of your return tickets, the airline you are travelling with will work with UAE’s immigration department to give you the Okay-to-Board. This status is compulsory for all tourists coming from South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Only after you have the Okay-to-Board status can you board your flight to Dubai.
Covid-related Documents & Tests
UAE is one of the few fully-vaccinated countries in the world. They have taken their vaccination drives seriously. Therefore, they also expect tourists to be safe from COVID-19 disease. If you are vaccinated, you need to provide a digital or physical certificate proving that you are vaccinated.
Also, in the 48 hours of your travel to Dubai, you will have to take an RT PCR test and provide your COVID negative status. This test has to be from a government-approved COVID test lab. Only after you get tested negative will you be allowed to travel to Dubai.
Dubai is welcoming tourists from all over the world. The worst seems to be over and it is time the world gets back to celebrating the most beautiful city in the world. So, follow the above-given Dubai visa document requirements and get your Dubai visa today!
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