Visa-types-in-uae
June 27, 2019
Types of Visa in UAE
There are seven types of visa in UAE, please note that Visa issuance is subject to certain requirements, which include passing a medical fitness test, a security check and the approval of the GDRFA in the relevant emirate.
Types of UAE visa and entry permits are:
1:
Residence Visa
2:
Tourist Visa or Visit Visa
3:
Transit Visa
4:
Student Visa
5:
e-Visa for GCC Residents
6:
Retirement Visa for UAE Residents
7:
Patient Visa/ Patient and his/her companion entry permits
1: UAE Residence Visa:
UAE
Residence visa sometimes known as work visa usually used for expats taking up a
job in the UAE which is valid for 2 years for LLC and 3 years for free zone
companies. Residence visa should be applied by employer (sponsor), medical is mandatory
to get this visa.
In
2019, the UAE implemented a new system for long-term residence visas. The new
system enables foreigners to live, work and study in the UAE without the need
of a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their business on the
UAE’s mainland. These residence visas will be issued for 5 or 10 years and will
be renewed automatically.
For
Eligibility and details of Long term residence visa, click here
2: UAE Tourist Visa – UAE Visit Visa:
Whom
is a tourist visa for?
UAE
Tourist visa is for those who are not eligible for
visa on arrival or a visa-free entry to the United Arab Emirates.
Tourist visa can be obtained for eligible individual tourists from around the world.
Females below the age of 18 are not eligible to apply for this type of visa
unless they are travelling with their parents.
Free
Tourist Visa:
According
to a Cabinet resolution passed in July 2018, children under the age of 18 years
who are accompanying adults can get a free visa for their visit from 15 July to
15 September each year.
What
is the validity of a tourist visa?
Depending
on your plan, tourist visas to the UAE can be issued for 30 days or 90 days
duration, single entry or multiple entries.
Who
can apply for your tourist visa?
The
UAE embassies do not issue tourist visas. In order to get a tourist visa to the
UAE, you need to get in touch with a touring agency, one of the UAE-based
airlines, or a hotel (where you intend to stay) in the UAE who will apply for
visa on your behalf to the official visa-issuing authorities in the UAE.
Tourist
visas through Travel Agencies and Hotels:
Licensed
travel or tour agents and hotels in the UAE can arrange a tourist visa for you
provided you purchase the ticket through them and maintain hotel reservation
with the specific hotel.
It
is important to check the authenticity of travel agents you are dealing with
and refrain from paying or sending copies of your official documents until
after you are 100% sure the tour operator is genuine. You may seek the help of
the UAE embassy in your country for verification purpose.
Tourist
visas through Airlines:
Each
airline has some conditions, which must be met in order for your visa to be
arranged by them. One of the conditions is flying with them. For more updated
and specific information, check the following UAE-based airlines for visa
types, facilities, terms and conditions:
- Visa
services from Etihad Airways
- Visa Services offered by Emirates Airline
- Visa services from Fly Dubai
- Visa services from Air Arabia
Renewing
or Extending UAE Tourist Visa:
All
types of visit and tourist visas can be extended for 30 days twice, upon
renewal without the need to leave the country. Visitors and tourists can apply
for the second renewal before the expiry of the first one against AED 600 each
time of renewal.
However,
the new rule for extension does not apply on the following categories:
•
Visitors and
tourists who are residents in GCC countries
•
Residents
accompanying GCC nationals
•
Those on special
entry permits
•
Those on 96-hour
permit for special missions
To
check and track tourist visa status, click here
3: Transit Visa:
There are two types of transit visas:
one for 48 hours which is free of charge and another for 96 hours for AED 50
only. Transit visas are sponsored only by the UAE-based airlines and must be
processed and approved before entering the UAE. Both types of transit visas are
not extendable.
Who
needs UAE transit visa?
If
you are not one of the nationalities that are eligible for visa on arrival or a
visa-free entry to the UAE, then you need a transit visa.
Transit
Visa Requirements:
To get a
UAE transit visa, you must have:
- A passport or travel document with a minimum validity of
three months
- A photo of self against a white background
- An onward ticket booking to a 3rd destination, other than the
one you are coming from.
4: Student Visa:
UAE student's visa is the 1 year renewable visa for
a university or a college student studying in the UAE. It is issued to
expatriate students who are residing in UAE under the sponsorship of their
parents or relatives, or to foreign international students who come from abroad
to join one of the higher educational institutes across UAE.
Long-term visa for outstanding students
On 24 November 2018, the UAE government
approved a decision to grant a 5-year visa to outstanding students.
Eligibility conditions for a 5-year Student visa
are:
School students
must graduate with a grade of at least 95 per cent from secondary schools
whether public or private.
University
students must graduate with a distinctive GPA of at least 3.75 from
universities within and outside the country.
Visa benefits will also include families of
the outstanding students.
Student Visa Requirements:
To get UAE student’s visa, the applicant must
obtain an official admission letter from the university he is studying at. For
older students, a certificate of continuation of study is needed. Other
requirements include:
•
Passing medical
fitness test
•
A visa sponsor,
either the university itself or a parent or relative
•
Approval of the General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs.
How can Colleges and Universities secure a
visa for their students?
Accredited universities and colleges in the
UAE can secure a visa for their students whether international students or
students already residing in the UAE. Students should refer to terms and
conditions listed in each university or college to know specific requirements
for admission and visa process.
How can expatriate residents secure a
student’s visa for their children?
UAE laws do not allow UAE resident
expatriate to continue sponsoring their male children above the age of 18. An
exception is given to male students who continue their studies in one of the
higher educational institutes in the UAE or abroad. Therefore, male students
over the age 18 can remain on their parent’s residence visa sponsorship as long
as they provide an evidence of attendance at a higher educational institute for
a minimum of one year’s course. Expatriate parents may continue to sponsor
their female children for study, regardless of their children’s age.
Note: New rules for children’s visa
sponsored by parents
Starting from 21 October 2018,
students who graduate from their universities or secondary schools or complete
18 years of age will be granted a one-year residence visa, renewable for
another year from the graduation date or on completing 18 years.
For this type of visa, parents are not
required to place bank deposits. The visa will cost AED100 for first time
issuing and renewal.
To avail this service, parents must
present duly attested graduation certificates from universities or schools,
whether inside the country or abroad.
5: e-Visa for GCC Residents:
GCC residents and companions
travelling with GCC citizens need to apply for visa online and obtain the same
before arriving in the UAE.
Notes and Conditions:
1:
e-Visa will be sent to you to your registered email address once your
application is approved
2:
Application for GCC residents and companions travelling with GCC citizens will
not be approved if the sponsor is not travelling along with them
3:
GCC residents’ entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue and
they are allowed to stay for 30 days from the date of entry. The visa is
extendable once for 30 days
4:
Entry permit for companions travelling with GCC citizens is valid for 60 days
from the date of issue and they are allowed to stay for 60 days from the date
of entry. The visa is extendable once for 60 days
5:
Upon arrival if the GCC resident’s visa is found to be expired or cancelled, he
will not be granted entry
6:
If the profession of the GCC resident is found to be changed after the issuance
of his entry permit, the entry permit holder will not be granted entry
7:
GCC residency must be valid for at least 3 months from the arrival date
8:
The passport of GCC residents must be valid at least 3 months from the arrival
date.
6: Retirement Visa for UAE Residents:
In September 2018, the UAE Cabinet
approved a law to provide retired residents over the age of 55 a long-term visa
for a period of 5 years, with the possibility of renewal, if eligibility
criteria are met.
For a retiree to be eligible for a
5-year renewable retirement visa, he must fulfill one of the following
criteria:
•
Invest in a
property worth AED 2 million
•
Have financial
savings of no less than AED 1 million
•
Have an active
income of no less than AED 20,000 per month.
The visa is valid for 5 years with the
possibility of renewing it if they meet the eligibility criteria.
7: Patient Entry Permit:
Foreign patients can enter the UAE for
treatment under sponsorship of medical establishment and government and private
hospitals. The sponsor (medical establishment) takes the responsibility of
processing entry permits for treatment upon the patient’s request. The sponsor
must be a hospital licensed and registered in the UAE.
Required documents to get Patient
Entry Permit:
The following documents are needed to
process the entry permit:
•
Patient’s
passport copy
•
A letter from a
registered hospital explaining reasons of visit
•
Patient’s health
insurance
•
Financial
security.
Also Read: UAE Visa on Arrival Countries List
Guide on types of Visa in UAE ended here, please note that UAE visa rules are subject to change, our respected readers are always advised to check with UAE embassies and consulate abroad or contact the official sources such as Federal Authority for Identity and citizenship (ICA) for latest UAE Visas rules and requirements.
Also Read: UAE Visa on Arrival Countries List
Guide on types of Visa in UAE ended here, please note that UAE visa rules are subject to change, our respected readers are always advised to check with UAE embassies and consulate abroad or contact the official sources such as Federal Authority for Identity and citizenship (ICA) for latest UAE Visas rules and requirements.
