Dubai visa on arrival Explained
2023 May 25, Updated
What is Dubai Visa On arrival
A Complete guide for 2024, Plan your Dubai trip wisely with this Arabiers Visa Guide
2023 May 25, Updated
A Complete guide for 2024, Plan your Dubai trip wisely with this Arabiers Visa Guide
Yes if you hold certain passports you are eligible to get on arrival visa.
We have divided the countries into 4, check below.
Yes in airport, no prior arrangement to be done.
With the Dubai's smart e-Government you will be getting your free on arrival visa in minutes.
Dubai offers free of cost on arrival visas.
Multiple ways of doing extension, checkout below.
Different visa types and visa procedures confuse even the most frequent travelers. Figuring out the type of visa you need can be very hard. This guide will be helpful for those planning to visit Dubai. This in-depth guide will cover topics like the types of Dubai visa on arrival, extension procedures and answers to other pressing questions related to it. Read to find out if you are eligible for a Dubai visa on arrival.
An on arrival visa is a visa facility offered by the UAE immigration that has the following features
Can be obtained after landing in Dubai airport and doesn’t need to be pre-arranged.
The visa is stamped at the immigration counter after disembarking from your flight and going through required biometric procedures.
The visa will be updated into the Amer system and ICA system.
Only given to individuals originating or holding passports from specific countries upon arrival without any delays or standing in queues.
Three of the four on arrival visa types are provided free while one is issued after paying a fee.
The most asked question is which countries are eligible for a visa on arrival in Dubai? Dubai immigration issues four types of on-arrival visas. They are: The type of on arrival visa you are eligible for depends on your country of origin or the passport you hold.
1Three of the four on arrival visa types are provided free while one is issued after paying a fee.
2Australia, Canada, UK, USA, etc nationals/ passport holders can get a free 30-day on arrival Dubai visa.
3Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Italy, etc nationals/passport holders can get a complementary 90-day on arrival visa.
4Indians who hold a valid green card/ visit visa to the USA or a UK/EU residence visa are eligible for a paid 14-day on arrival visa.
Free
Free
on arrival
on arrival
Entry type: Multi Entry
Validity period: 6 months from date of issue
Visa requirements:
Originate from or hold passports from any of the 48 countries mentioned below:
| Argentina | Austria | Bahamas Islands |
| Barbados | Belgium | Brazil |
| Bulgaria | Chile | Colombia |
| Costa Rica | Croatia | Cyprus |
| Czech Republic | Denmark | El Salvador |
| Estonia | Finland | France |
| Germany | Greece | Honduras |
| Hungary | Iceland | Italy |
| Kiribati | Latvia | Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Maldives |
| Malta | Montenegro | Nauru |
| Netherlands | Norway | Paraguay |
| Peru | Poland | Portugal |
| Romania | Russian Federation | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| San Marino | Serbia | Seychelles |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Solomon Islands |
| South Korea | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Uruguay |
Cost: Free
Is the visa extendable?
This visa is non-extendable. However, there are ways in which you can extend your stay by approaching a company like Arabiers. To learn more about these procedures, Arabiers’ UAE Tourist Visa Extension Options 2024 guide will prove helpful.
Permitted stay duration:
- 90 days during the 6 moths & no grace period given
Entry type: Single Entry
Visa requirements:
Should be nationals or hold passports from either of these 19 countries or territories:
| Andorra | Australia | Brunei |
| Canada | China | Hong Kong, China |
| Japan | Kazakhstan | Macau, China |
| Malaysia | Mauritius | Monaco |
| New Zealand | Republic of Ireland | San Marino |
| Singapore | Ukraine | United Kingdom and Northern Ireland |
| United States of America | Vatican City |
Cost: Free
Is the visa extendable?
Yes, it is extendable once for an extra 30 days and may cost approximately 1000 AED.
Permitted stay duration:
- 40 days from date of issue; 30 days including 10 days grace period (failure to exit the country or extend visa will result in fines)
- 70 days if extension is taken via Immigration authority
- You can stay longer if you choose an extension procedure via a travel firm like Arabiers, the procedures of which are explained well in this Visa extension post.
A new 30 day on arrival visa will be issued every time the individual exits and enters the country. There is no limit to the number of 30 days on arrival visas issued per person annually. To reject or issue a visa is the sole discretion of the Dubai Immigration authorities.
Entry type: Single Entry
Visa requirements: Indian passport-holders who fulfill either of the following:
- Hold a valid residence visa issued by UK or EU countries(with minimum validity of 6 months), Or
- Hold a green card or visitor visa (at least valid for 6 months) issued by USA
Cost: 120 AED (subject to change)
Is the visa extendable?
Yes, it is extendable once for a cost of 250 AED (subject to change) for an extra 14 days.
Permitted stay duration:
- 14 days from date of issue (failure to exit the country or extend visa will result in fines)
- 28 days if extension is also taken
Entry type: Multiple Entry
Validity period: 6 months from date of issue
Visa requirements: Individuals who hold Mexican passports.
Cost: Free
Is the visa extendable?
This visa cannot be extended. However, your stay can be extended by approaching a company like Arabiers.
The stay duration can be used in multiple entries until the permitted 180 day duration is consumed.
Permitted stay duration:
- 180 days from the date of issue that can be used within the span of 6 months
No, you can’t get this visa type online. As the name suggests, a Dubai visa on arrival is issued at the Dubai airport’s immigraton counter. The issued visa will be updated into the AMER and ICA systems after all biometric procedures are completed.
Apart from belonging to any one of the eligible countries. You only need to have your passport with a minimum 6 months validity.
The process of getting a Dubai on arrival visa is very easy:
There are no fees for the 30-day, 90-day and 180-day on arrival visas. The fee for a 14-day on arrival visa is 120 AED.
Yes, you can get a paid Dubai visa on arrival if you hold a valid US visa.
The cost for this type of visa is 120 AED which is subject to change.
Unfortunately, Indian nationals who don’t hold a US visit visa/ green card or a UK/EU residence visa cannot get an on arrival visa. They have to apply for a prepaid Dubai visa.
As of now, Pakistani nationals or passport holders are not eligible for a Dubai on arrival visa.
If that’s the case, you will have to apply for a prepaid visa and wait until it is issued before travelling to Dubai. If booking a prepaid visa, you can choose from any of the
Yes, the 30 day on-arrival visa can be extended once via the immigration services for a cost of approximately 1000 AED
30-day on arrival visa holders have three options to choose from if they want to extend their visa:
Option 01Extend with amer services
Option 02Extend with an Oman border run
Option 03Extend with inside country visa without exit
Option 04Airport to Airport visa change
Holders of the 90-day on arrival visa have three options to extend their stay:
Option 01Oman visa run and re-enter with prepaid visa
Option 02Airport to Airport visa change
Option 03Inside country visa without exit
If you extend with an Oman border run, you can choose either of below methods to stay longer:
First, apply for an Oman visa by visiting the official website. Drive to the border or book a bus after your Oman visa is approved. Pass the Oman border and re-enter Dubai with a new 30-day visa for free.
Get in touch with a tourism firm that can issue an Express visa. Apply for an Oman visa through their official website. After your Oman visa is approved, drive to the border or travel by bus with a visa run package. Upon receiving confirmation from the travel firm that your visa has been issued, re-enter with your new Dubai prepaid visa. You can choose from the 4 prepaid visa types.
Although slightly costlier than the other two options, the inside country visa doesn’t require you to exit the country or visit any immigration office. This visa can be issued while you are lounging in a sunbed at the beach or participating in an activity you booked. The procedure is very easy:
This procedure is also recognized as A2A. The first step is to approach a tourism firm that offers an A2A package. Arrive at the Dubai or Sharjah airport at approximately 8.00 AM. You can choose the most convenient airport for you while purchasing the A2A package. Proceed to the immigration counter and get the exit stamp on your passport. A photo of this stamp needs to be sent to the representative from your tourism firm. Fly to either Bahrain or Oman and wait until your visa has been processed. Return to Dubai or Sharjah airport and your new visa will be active.
Unfortunately, not all on-arrival visa types have this perk. 30-day on arrival visa holders can exit and enter with a new free visa. Holders of other on-arrival visa types are not eligible for this service. They can get a new free on arrival visa only if they have been out of the country for 6 months or more. Issuing an on-arrival visa is the sole decision of the immigration authorities.
Update 08.03.2022
Wearing masks is still mandatory in closed public settings but are not required to be worn in open-air public places. This announcement was made by the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai and is effective starting from Saturday, February 26. Effective from February 26 onwards, the UAE's National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority announced that PCR testing has been eliminated for fully-vaccinated travellers. Unvaccinated travellers need to show a recovery certificate with a QR code that is taken within one month of the scheduled travel date or a negative PCR test certificate that was taken within 48 hours before departure. The UAE authorities (ICA and NCEMA) announced on Saturday, 28 August 2021 that tourist visas will be issued starting from Monday, 30 August 2021 for fully-vaccinated tourists. Six points to note from this update: Tourist visas will be issued to travelers, irrespective of their country of origin from August 30, 2021. Tourists need to be fully vaccinated with one of the COVID-19 vaccines approved by WHO, namely Astrazeneca, Johnson and Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm and Sinovac. Tourist visas will be issued for travelers from countries where travel was previously restricted. Individuals arriving with tourist visas must take a compulsory PCR test on arrival at the Dubai airport. The previous rules are applicable for any non-vaccinated applicants, including exempted categories. Vaccinated travelers who want to reap the benefits given by UAE for vaccinated individuals, can register via the Al Hosn app or the ICA platform.As long as you have a valid passport, you can apply for a Dubai Prepaid visa. There are no specific eligibility criteria.
You need to hand over the following documents:
Colour photo of applicant Colour copy of applicant’s passport (must be valid for at least 3 months) Completed application form Copy of return flight ticket Applicants from certain countries might have to submit additional documents along with those listed above, namely:Pakistan/Iran and Iraq nationals: National ID card
Afghanistan: Tazkira ID/National ID card
This visa is ideal for transit passengers with layovers at Dubai airport.
48-hour transit visa:
This is a non-extendable visa that permits the user to be in Dubai for approximately 2 days.
96-hour transit visa:
Also non-extendable, the visa permits the user to stay in Dubai for 4 days from the date of entry.
30-day tourist visa (short-term):
An extendable visa that allows the holder to stay in Dubai for 30 days. The 30 days can be used in a single entry.
90-day tourist visa (long-term):
This visa is also extendable and permits the holder to stay in Dubai for 90 days.
30-day tourist visa:
This visa permits the holder to stay in Dubai for a total of 30 days that can be used up in different entries. After the permitted duration is over, the holder will have to apply for a new visa or extend the visa.
90-day tourist visa:
Allows the holder to stay in Dubai for a total of 90 days that can be used up in a single entry or multiple entries. The visa can also be extended.
There are both single and multiple-entry prepaid visas. Applicants can choose the visa type depending on their reason of visit.
The processing duration is roughly 3 to 4 working days excluding any public holidays.
Both types of transit visas are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. All other visas are valid for 60 days from the date of issue.
Unfortunately, visa fees are non-refundable.
Due to certain issues in the region situation, following countries might face issues in securing the visas, you can keep checking with your nearest travel agency they might have the service.
Overstaying fines are the fines charged by the Immigration authorities if a visa holder overstays their permitted duration.
Overstaying fines need to be settled at the time of exit at the airport’s immigration counter.
Dubai immigration has implemented a new fine system for visitors who are overstay for more than their allowed duration. According to the new fine system, there will be a standard fine amount of 50AED per day until the final exist or status change duration. Further, there will be an additional exist clearance charge of 350AED which needs to paid at the point of clearing the fines.
Mary overstayed 5 days past her visa expiry date. At the time of exit, she has to pay a fine of 600 AED. This is the breakdown of her fine:
| Fine day 1 | 50 AED | |
| Fine day 2 to 5 | 4 x 50 AED | 200 AED |
| Exist charge | 350 AED | |
| TOTAL | 600 AED |
“Save yourself from any unnecessary fines by knowing your visa expiry date. For easier calculation of your last date of stay, use the Arabiers visa calculator.”
Passport bio page (Soft copy) Dubai visa page (Soft copy) Dubai visa page (Soft copy) Attested marriage certificate (Soft copy) Spouse’s passport bio page (Soft copy) Spouse’s coloured photograph (Soft copy) Attested Child birth certificate (Soft copy) Child’s passport bio pages (Soft copy)
If you have all the documents with you, then you can go ahead with changing your on-arrival visa to a residence visa. Although the procedure is done by the employer, here is a rough outline of the steps.
Job hunt, attend interviews and get selected for your prospective job. You are allowed to attend interviews and visit prospective employers while holding an on-arrival visa. Apply for quota. This process can take roughly 2 to 3 days. Get the offer letter from your employer/company. This process can take anywhere between 1 to 3 days. Labor payment (1day) Entry permit inside (1 day) Change status (1 day) Medical (3-4 days) Emirates id biometric (1day) Stamping (4-5 days)There are no required documents for an on arrival visa. You only need to have your passport with a minimum 6 months validity.
The duration for issuing a residence visa is unpredictable. Some companies get the residence visa within a matter of days. Whereas, for some companies it can take as long as 2 to 3 months. This could be dependent on the employing company’s reputation or standing in Dubai.
“ The Arabiers team helped me extend my 30-day on arrival visa because I wasn’t able to find a good employment opportunity. I did an inside country Dubai visa with them. They were very responsive and answered all my questions. After I found a prospective employer, they advised me to purchase a prepaid visa”
“ I was clueless about the extension procedures. My friend recommended Arabiers to me. They were very interactive and helped me to extend my stay by setting me up with an inside country visa. ”
“ The Arabiers team helped me extend my 30-day on arrival visa because I wasn’t able to find a good employment opportunity. I did an inside country Dubai visa with them. They were very responsive and answered all my questions. After I found a prospective employer, they advised me to purchase a prepaid visa”
“ I was clueless about the extension procedures. My friend recommended Arabiers to me. They were very interactive and helped me to extend my stay by setting me up with an inside country visa. ”
The UAE immigration has currently approved on arrival visa for Indian passport holders who fulfill either of the two visa requirements:
Indian nationals who don’t fulfill either of these requirements have to apply for a prepaid Dubai visa.
Yes, Indian nationals who hold valid US B1 and B2 visas can get an on-arrival visa at Dubai Airport for a fee of AED120. This feature is not applicable for any other nationality travelers who hold any of these 2 US visa types.
Yes, it is possible for Indians holding this type of US visa to get an on-arrival Dubai visa.
To deny or approve an on-arrival visa is the sole decision of the Dubai Immigration. If there is something suspicious, your on-arrival visa can be rejected.
Individuals eligible for an on arrival visa don't require a transit visa. All other nationalities need to apply for a transit visa.
No, Indians need to apply for a transit visa prior to arriving in Dubai. This can be done via an airline while booking the ticket.
Yes, you can as long as you hold a US passport, you will be eligible for an on-arrival visa. Otherwise, you will have to apply for a prepaid visa before traveling.