If you are planning to travel to the United Arab Emirates, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the different types of visas available and their corresponding policies. There are many types of visas for the UAE i.e. business visa, tourist visa, transit visa, student visa, retirement visa, eVisa for GCC residents and patient and his/her companion’s entry permits.
In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the different visa types and their requirements. We will also discuss the process for obtaining a visa and some tips for making the application process as smooth as possible.
Business Visa:
The UAE offers several types of business visas, each with its own requirements and conditions. The most common type of business visa is the multiple-entry visa, which allows the holder to enter and exit the country multiple times during the validity period of the visa. Other types of business visas include single-entry visas, which allow for a one-time entry into the UAE, and multiple-entry visas with a limited number of entries.
To apply for a business visa, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- An invitation letter from a UAE company or sponsor
- Supporting documents, such as a letter of employment or a business registration certificate
- A fee of AED 2000 (multiple-entry visa) or AED 1000 (single-entry visa)
Tourist Visa:
The UAE offers tourist visas for those who wish to visit the country for leisure or business purposes. Tourist visas are valid for either 30 days or 90 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days.
To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- A confirmed hotel reservation
- A return ticket or an itinerary for your travel plans in the UAE
- A fee of AED 2000 (multiple-entry visa) or AED 1000 (single-entry visa)
Transit Visa:
The UAE offers transit visas for those who are passing through the country en route to another destination. Transit visas are valid for either 96 hours or 48 hours and can be extended for an additional 24 hours.
To apply for a transit visa, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- A confirmed hotel reservation
- A return ticket or an itinerary for your travel plans in the UAE
- A fee of AED 500 (96-hour transit visa) or AED 250 (48-hour transit visa)
Student Visa:
The UAE offers student visas for those who wish to study in the country. Student visas are valid for the duration of your studies, up to a maximum of four years.
To apply for a student visa, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- An acceptance letter from a UAE university or educational institution
- A fee of AED 2000 (multiple-entry visa) or AED 1000 (single-entry visa)
Retirement Visa:
The UAE offers retirement visas for those who are over the age of 55 and wish to retire in the country. Retirement visas are valid for one year and can be renewed for an additional two years.
To apply for a retirement visa, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- Proof of income (e.g., pension statement or bank letter)
- A medical certificate from a UAE-licensed doctor
- A fee of AED 5000 (multiple-entry visa) or AED 2000 (single-entry visa)
eVisa for GCC residents:
The UAE offers eVisas for residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries who wish to visit the UAE. eVisas are valid for either 30 days or 90 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days.
To apply for an eVisa, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- A return ticket or an itinerary for your travel plans in the UAE
- A fee of AED 500 (multiple-entry visa) or AED 250 (single-entry visa)
Patient companion’s entry permits:
The UAE offers entry permits for patient companions who wish to accompany a sick family member or friend to the UAE. Patient companion’s entry permits are valid for the duration of the medical treatment, up to a maximum of one year.
To apply for a patient companion’s entry permit, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- A letter from the hospital or doctor in the UAE confirming the medical treatment
- A fee of AED 500 (multiple-entry visa) or AED 250 (single-entry visa)
Investor Visa:
The UAE offers investor visas for those who wish to invest in the country. Investor visas are valid for three years and can be renewed for an additional two years.
To apply for an investor visa, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- Proof of investment (e.g., bank statement or letter from a UAE-licensed financial institution)
- A fee of AED 5000 (multiple-entry visa) or AED 2000 (single-entry visa)
Golden Visa:
Introduced in May 2019, the Golden Visa is a long-term visa for investors and exceptional talents who make a significant contribution to the UAE. The Golden Visa is valid for five years and can be renewed for an additional five years.
To apply for a Golden Visa, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-sized photograph
- Proof of investment (e.g., bank statement or letter from a UAE-licensed financial institution) or proof of exceptional talent (e.g., CV or portfolio)
- A fee of AED 5000 (multiple-entry visa) or AED 2000 (single-entry visa)
There are many different types of visas available for those who wish to visit or live in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The type of visa that you will need depends on the purpose of your visit. Blogs discuss the different types of visas available, as well as the documents that you will need to submit in order to apply for each type.
The UAE offers many different types of visas, including transit visas, student visas, retirement visas, eVisas for GCC residents, and patient companion’s entry permits. Each type of visa has different requirements and conditions. Be sure to research the type of visa that you need before applying.
If you are planning on traveling to the UAE, be sure to check out these blog posts about the different types of visas available. You can find all the information that you need in order to apply for the right type of visa for your trip.
We hope that this blog post has been helpful in providing you with an overview of the different types of visas available for travel to the UAE. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you. Thank you for reading!
