Dubai Visa – Exploring the Types, Fees, Application Process, and Other Important Details
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Dubai is one of the seven emirates making up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is one of the most known emirates across the world. If you are planning to visit Dubai, you won’t have to get a separate Dubai visa, as you can enter Dubai with a UAE visa and enjoy some of the world’s most popular destinations. Additionally, if you are staying in Dubai with a valid entry permit, you can apply for a Dubai residency or inbound visa to extend your stay.
As part of our efforts to simplify the Dubai visa application process for you, we have provided all the information regarding Dubai inbound and outbound visas in this article. Check out the sections below to find out more about the Dubai visa types, documents required to apply for the visa, fees, and so forth.
Types of Dubai Visas
There are primarily two types of Dubai Visas – Dubai outbound visas (or entry permits) and Dubai residency visas. Dubai outbound visa applies to foreigners willing to enter the UAE for employment, family visit, medical treatment, mission, attending official conferences, tourism, or for transit.
While residents of Dubai can apply for a Dubai residency visa to extend their stay for a longer term, it is to be noted that the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) issues Dubai visas for residents.
The following sections will give you a brief about Dubai outbound visas and Dubai visas for residents covering all the requisite aspects.
Different Types of Inbound Dubai Visas for Residents
1. Dubai Visa for Working Residents
Discussed below are the 3 major types of Dubai visas for working residents –
Green Visa
- Skilled employees, freelancers, and self-employed individuals can apply for green visas for 5 years
- As an applicant, you can sponsor yourself under this type of Dubai visa, which eliminates the requirement for a UAE national or employer to sponsor your visa
Standard Work Visa
- This visa is issued for employees in the government and private sector
- Employer of the applicant can only apply for the standard work visa on their behalf
Golden Visa
- It is a long-term visa that enables foreigners to live, work, and study in Dubai
- You won’t require a sponsor to apply for a golden visa
- It is a renewable golden visa with a validity period of 5 or 10 years
- As a golden visa holder, you can sponsor your spouse, children, and an unlimited number of domestic helpers
- Investors in public investments, real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and outstanding specialised talents like doctors, scientists, executives, and creative people of culture and art can apply for the Dubai golden visa
Domestic Workers Visa
- Domestic worker recruitment agencies recruit domestic workers and match them with an employer per their needs
- Agencies have three types of packages for hiring domestic workers: traditional, temporary, and flexible
2. Dubai Visa for Residents Working Outside the Dubai or UAE
- Dubai government allows individuals to stay in Dubai under the virtual working programme. As per the programme, an individual can move to Dubai and continue to work remotely for an organisation outside the UAE.
- If you fulfil the eligibility criteria for the same, you can move to Dubai with your family members
- The programme is renewable with a validity period of one year
To apply for the programme, you would be required to meet the following eligibility criteria –
- Passport with a validity period of at least 6 months
- Valid health insurance policy covering your entire stay in the UAE
- You must have a minimum salary of USD 5,000 per month and submit an employment contract with a validity period of 1 year and the last 3 months' bank statements
- Company owners are required to have a minimum monthly income of USD 5,000 and provide proof of ownership of the company of one year or more along with their three months' bank statements
- You can avail of various services under this programme, including utilities, telecommunications, schooling, and medical facilities
The cost of the virtual working programme includes the following –
- Fees – USD 287 per person
- You would be required to pay the premium of medical insurance
- Processing fee
3. Dubai Visa for Retired Individuals
- Retired individuals and their spouses and children can apply for a Dubai visa of 5 years
- As an applicant, you should meet any of the following criteria to qualify for the Dubai visa –
- Minimum monthly income of AED 15,000 or yearly income of AED 180,000
- 3-year fixed deposit of AED 1 million
- Property in Dubai worth around AED 1 million
- If you cannot fulfil any of the options given above, you can combine the options stated above in which you are required to have a 3-year fixed deposit and property of AED 500,000 each to fulfil the criteria
- You can also renew your visa on the same terms if you qualify for the eligibility criteria
4. Dubai Visa for Businesspersons
Investors can apply for a green visa to participate in commercial activities in Dubai. The following conditions should be met –
- ICP should give its approval as per the investor rating system
- Proof of the investment
- Acceptance of the local authorities
5. Dubai Visa for Students Studying in Dubai
- Students outside Dubai can apply for a Student Residency Visa
- GCC Nationals are not required to apply for a student visa
- Outstanding students can apply for a visa with a validity period of 5 years
6. Dubai Visa for Family Members of Residents
- You can add your family members under this type of Dubai visa
- Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months
- Children who have completed the age of 18 have to clear medical fitness examination
- Expats can sponsor their families if they have a valid residence visa. The sponsor must have a minimum monthly salary of AED 4,000 or AED 3,000 plus accommodation
Different Types of Outbound Dubai Visas
1. Entry Permit for Exploring Business (Single Entry)
- Foreigners can apply for an entry permit for research and to find out business opportunities
- A sponsor is not required to apply for this type of entry permit
- You can get the entry permit for 60, 90, or 120 days
2. Entry Permit for Green Residence (Partner, Investor, High Skilled Worker, Self-Employed)
- With this entry permit, you can stay in the UAE for 60 days from the date of entry until the necessary documentation process is completed for issuing a residence visa
3. Entry Permit for Job Opportunity (Single Entry)
- This visa is granted to foreigners who wish to explore jobs in Dubai
- A sponsor is not required for this
- Depending on your requirements, you can apply for 60, 90, or 120 days
4. Temporary Work Permit
- Residents sponsored by their families may apply for a temporary work permit to work in a government or semi-government agency for up to 1, 3, 6, or 12 months (one year).
5. Entry Permits for Patients and Their Companions
Foreigners who wish to avail of medical facilities in Dubai can enter the UAE with this permit. It is to be noted that the entry permit of the patient's companion can only be extended if the medical certificate of the patient specifies that the patient must continue the treatment and that their companion is required.
In Dubai, there are only two patient companion entry permits – Single entry permits or multiple entry permits.
6. Tourist Visas
Depending on visitor requirements, tourist visas can be issued for 30 days or 90 days for single or multiple entries.
7. Transit Visas
UAE Government issues two types of transit visas – the first for 48 hours at no cost, and the other for 96 hours. You would be liable to pay the charges for the latter one.
Fees Schedule of Inbound Dubai Visas for Residents
Check out the table below for the fees schedule of inbound Dubai visas for residents –
| Type of Dubai Visa | Associated Fees |
|---|---|
| Golden visa | 10-year Golden Visa Residency Fee – AED 2,790 ID Fee – AED 1,070 5-year Golden Visa Residency Fee – AED 2,280 ID Fee – AED 575 |
| Employees working in the private sector | Urgent Service Fee – AED 100 Innovation Fee – AED 10 Printing Fee – AED 100 (if submitted through ZAJGEL courier centre) |
| Employees working in a free zone | Urgent Service Fee – AED 100 Innovation Fee – AED 10 Printing Fee – AED 100 (if submitted through ZAJGEL courier centre) |
| Addition of family members to the visa | Urgent Service Fee – AED 100 Innovation Fee – AED 10 Printing Fee – AED 100 (if submitted through ZAJGEL courier centre) |
It is to be noted that the Dubai residency visa can be renewed on the same terms and at the same prices mentioned above.
For cancellation of your Dubai residency visa, you have to pay the following fees –
- Urgent Service Fee – AED 100
- Innovation Fee – AED 10
- Printing Fee – AED 100 (if submitted through ZAJGEL courier centre)
Fees Schedule of Outbound Dubai Visas
Refer to the following table to find out more about the fees schedule of outbound Dubai visas for foreigners –
| Type of Dubai Visa | Associated Fees |
|---|---|
| Entry permit for exploring business(single entry) |
|
| Entry permit for green residence(Partner, Investor, High-Skilled Worker, and Self-Employed) |
|
| Entry permit for job opportunities |
|
| Temporary work permit |
|
For cancellation of entry permit or outbound Dubai visa, the following fees would apply –
- Collection Commission Fee on Each Transaction / Commercial Bank of Dubai – AED 20
- Collection Commission Fee for Companies – AED 50
- Collection Commission Fee for Individuals or Emaratech Companies – AED 15
- Application Submitted through AMER Centre – AED 100
Where to Apply for Dubai Visas or Entry Permits?
You can apply for a Dubai visa through any of the following channels –
- Official website of General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA)
- DubaiNow application on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store
- eChannels Portal
- ICP application on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store
As an alternative, you can submit your Dubai visa application through any of the typing centres registered by ICP or GDRFA.
Follow these steps to apply for the Dubai visa via GDRFA official website –
- Head to the official website of GDRFA
- Register a new user account
- Tap on the required service you would like to avail
- Attach the required documents with the application
- Pay the fees and click on the ‘Submit’ button
- You will receive the visa via your registered email address
Follow the steps given below to apply for the Dubai visa through AMER Centres –
- Visit any of the AMER centres
- Inquire about the type of visa with the centre’s receptionist
- Submit the required documents to the concerned officials and pay the fees
- You will receive the visa or entry permit via email
How to Track the Status of your Dubai Visa Application?
If you have applied for a Dubai visa through GDRFAD or through one of the AMER centres in Dubai, you can easily track your application on GDRFA official website by following the given steps –
- Visit the official website of GDRFA
- Navigate to the ‘Service’
- Click ‘Status Tracking’
- Enter all the search parameters, including application number, payment date, and so on
- Tap on the 'Search' button to get all the required information
You can also check the validity of your visa by following the steps mentioned above.
Let’s have a look at some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) in the section below to learn more about Dubai visas:
FAQ's
Ans: No, you can travel to Dubai with a valid UAE visa.
Ans: You would be required to visit one of the AMER centres in Dubai and submit the request to cancel your Dubai visa for a temporary work permit.
Ans: Once you get the UAE visa, you can enter any of the seven emirates. There is no separate category for Dubai visas.
Ans: There are several types of Dubai visas based on the intentions of your visit. If a foreigner travels to UAE, they can apply for an outbound visa or work permit, while residents can apply for a Dubai inbound visa for a prolonged stay.
Some of the inbound visas include golden visas, green visas, standard work visas, remote visas, and so on. Tourist visas, transit visas, and student visas, on the other hand, are some outbound Dubai visa types.
Ans: Yes, you would be required to have a Dubai visa to transit through Dubai from your country. However, there are two types of Dubai visas – one for 48 hours with no charges and another for 96 hours for AED 50.
