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Dubai Visa for GCC Residents 2023 Updated Guide

19th June, 2023 Updated

UAE visit visa reformed introduced on April 29, 2016, change the way GCC Recidence permit holders travel to dubai & from that day GCC recidents unable to get a free on arrival visa to visit Dubai & need to get a prearranged visa prior to arrive. In this guide we will explain you every thing you need to know about Dubai visa for GCC recidents & Arabiers can assist you to get the visa without any hustle

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01

On Arrival & prepaid nationals

If you are an individual holding a passport from any of the on-arrival visa countries, you don't need to apply for a Dubai visa whether you are travelling from a GCC country or anywhere else in the world. The Dubai visa for GCC residents is only entitled for individuals from countries under the prepaid visa list.

30-day free Dubai on arrival visa countries

If you hold a passport originating from the countries mentioned below you don't have to make any advance visa arrangements. Proceed to the immigration counter in Dubai international airport after exiting your flight. Here your passport will be stamped with a free 30 day visit visa.

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

90-day free Dubai on arrival visa countries

If you hold a passport from any of the following countries then you will be eligible for a free 90 day visit visa. The visa allows you to stay in UAE for a total of 90 days within a duration of 6 months (validity period) from the date of issue. Citizens coming from the European countries listed below can apply for a pre-arranged visa if they have fully utilized their 90 day on arrival visa.

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

Prearranged Dubai visas / Prepaid Dubai tourist visa nationalities

GCC residents originating from all other countries (some listed below) need to apply for a visa before entering UAE.

South Africa Pakistan Lebanon
Morocco Philippines Nepal
Jordan El Salvador Peru
Egypt Fiji Somalia
India Indonesia
Sri Lanka Jamaica
If you are a GCC resident, there are 3 ways in which you can obtain your Dubai visa:
  1. 1- eVisa for GCC residents by GDRFA Dubai
  2. 2- eVisa for GCC residents by ICA, Abu Dhabi & other Emirates
  3. 3- Hassle free Dubai e-Tourist visas

02

eVisa for GCC residents by GDRFA Dubai

You need to log in to the GDRFA Amer service site to get the eVisa by GDRFA offered for GCC Residents. The GDRFA belongs to the Ministry of Interior and is responsible of regulating the entry and exit of travellers through Dubai

  • After your application has been approved, your eVisa will be sent to your registered email address.
  • GCC expatriate residents and companions travelling with GCC citizens will be rejected unless the sponsor is traveling with them.
  • The entry permit for GCC Residents has a validity period of 30 days from issue date and permits a stay of 30 days from day of entry. The visa can be extended once for an additional 30 days.
  • The entry permit for companions travelling with GCC citizens has a validity period of 60 days from issue date and permits a stay of 60 days from date of entry. It can be extended once for 60 days.
  • If the GCC residence visa is found to be expired or cancelled upon arrival at UAE, he will be denied entry.
  • If the profession of the GCC resident is different from when he applied for the entry permit, entry will be denied.
  • The GCC residency permit should be valid for a minimum of 3 extra months from the date of arrival.
  • The passport of GCC resident must be valid for a minimum of 3 months from the date of arrival.

03

E-Visa for GCC residents by ICA, Abu Dhabi & other Emirates

Mentioned below are the e-visa details by ICA, Abu Dhabi and other Emirates for GCC residents. For further reference visit the official ICA site dedicated to E-Visa for GCC residents

Necessary supporting documents

  • A valid Residence permit in any one of the GCC countries (mandatory)
  • Original passport (mandatory)
  • Coloured photo (mandatory)
  • Pakistani id card for the sponsored (optional)

04

Dubai e-Tourist visas

If you wish to stay more than 30 days, want a multiple entry visa or require full assistance, contact us now.

Visit our UAE Visit Visa page for further details about applying for e-tourist visas. If you have already entered UAE with an on arrival and you are planning for an extension make sure to check our UAE Tourist Visa Extension Options guide and Visa change without exit guide. Depending on your requirements, UAE tourist visas are issued for 30 days or 90 days as single-entry or multiple-entry visas. Tourist visa can also be extended twice for 30 or 90 days.If you are in a hurry to get your prepaid visa, You can try our Dubai Express visa process.

Mandatory requirements

  • Photograph in white background (softcopy)
  • Colour copy of passport with full name, place and date of birth, passport number, issue and expiry date, name of father and mother or legal guardian clearly visible.
  • Valid passport with minimum 6 month validity at the time of travel.

Children

Along with the above mentioned documents, a certified birth certificate in English or Arabic should also be submitted.

Additional documents

Depending on your country of origin, you might have to submit extra documents. If these documents cannot be submitted, your visa might get rejected. If the visa gets rejected, the visa fee is non refundable under any circumstances.

Dubai tourist visa Price list for GCC residents

Dubai visa Price list

June 12, 2023 Updated

Normal Processing - 24-48 hours
Visa type All Inclusive Rates final rates (VAT included)
30 Days Dubai visa 489 AED
60 Days Dubai visa 689 AED
30 Days multi entry Dubai visa 990 AED
60 Days multi entry Dubai visa 1190 AED
90 Days single entry Dubai visa 1489 AED
90 Days multi entry Dubai visa Not Available
Express Processing 4-8 hours
Visa type All Inclusive Rates final rates (VAT included)
30 Days Dubai visa 889 AED
30 Days multi entry Dubai visa 1190 AED
60 Days single entry Dubai visa 1089 AED
60 Days multi entry Dubai visa 1390 AED
Visa Extension & getting new while Staying in UAE
Visa type All Inclusive Rates final rates (VAT included)
30 Days On-Arrival Visa 990 AED
30 Days Visa Airport to Airport 1490 AED
60 Days Visa Airport to Airport 1690 AED
30 Days Straight stay 1219 AED
60 Days Straight stay 1390 AED
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05

Corona update

  • June 12,2023
    The UAE immigration authorities have abolished the 10-day grace period previously provided to visitors holding prepaid visit visas. Now, prepaid visa holders can only stay for 30 days or 60 days. After completing the specified duration, it is strongly recommended that individuals either go for a visa extension or leave the country to prevent incurring fines for overstaying or facing potential consequences related to absconding.
  • Dubai
  • All passengers travelling from the following GCC countries don't need to take a COVID19 PCR test before departure.
  • Instead, they can take a complimentary COVID19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai international airport. However, this rule is not applicable for travellers entering UAE by road via the Hatta border. For them the PCR test 96 hours before departure is a must.
  • Passengers can choose to take the PCR test 96 hours before departure from their country of origin.
  • If a test is taken before departure an official hardcopy certificate needs to be submitted. Digital and SMS certificates will be rejected.
  • If you are arriving on transit to Dubai from any of the above mentioned countries,you don't have to submit a COVID19 PCR test certificate unless it is compulsory in your country of origin or final destination.
  • Passengers hailing the Dubai connect service with hotel bookings outside the airport need to carry a valid PCR test showing negative results that has been done within a maximum duration of 96 hours before travel.
  • Only PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test certificates are accepted. Results from Antigen tests or home testing kits are not accepted.
  • Children below 12 years and travellers with disabilities are excused from performing the test. However, check before you travel for mandatory regulations in your originating country or final destination.
  • If you are travelling from Bangladesh, India or Pakistan, your PCR test needs to be done in any of the approved laboratories to board the flight. Failure to do so will result in your entry being rejected on board.
  • You might have to perform another PCR test upon arrival. If the test is done in the airport, you are required to remain in your residence or hotel until you receive your test results.
  • If you are tested positive you must quarantine and follow all regulations laid out by the Dubai Health Authority.
  • It is mandatory to download the COVID 19 DXB smart app in your iOS or Android.
  • We provide complementary cover for your COVID 19 quarantine and health costs while you are away from home. Get to know more.
  • Abu Dhabi
  • After implementing a set of strict regulations to contain the spread of COVID19, Abu Dhabi announced that from December 24 onwards they will be open to welcome International tourists.
  • Travelers whose country of origin are either of the 'green countries' need to show a negative PCR test certificate taken within 96 hours before departure.
  • After entering the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,they are required to undergo another PCR test and self-quarantine until the results are given.
  • If both PCR tests taken by International travelers ( 1. Taken within 96 hours before travel and 2. Taken on arrival) show negative results, they are exempt from quarantining for 10 days after entering Dubai.
  • As per the recent guidelines all travelers are required to take a PCR test on day 6 ( if staying for 6 or more days) and on day 12 ( if staying for 12 days or more).
  • Travelers visiting Abu Dhabi from countries NOT on the green list need to present a negative test result either 48, 72 or 96 hours before departure. This duration is highly dependent on your country of origin, so check your travel requirements in advance.

    • Upon landing, passengers from countries that are not stated in the 'green' list must register under the quarantine system. They will be given an electric wristband which has to be worn throughout the 10 day quarantine period.

  • The quarantine location will be determined by the Abu Dhabi health authorities. It could be your own home or a hotel allocated by the medical authorities.
  • Travellers must take a PCR test on day 6 after arrival in Abu Dhabi. If you plan to stay for more than 12 days, another PCR test needs to be done on day 12.

06

Travel Insurance

Travel advisories have warned to practice caution throughout your travels to UAE due to the prevailing COVID19 situation. The department of health has officially reported 130,000 COVID positive cases and 488 deaths. Make sure to always follow the rules and regulations laid out for.

Sources also state that a valid insurance cover with coverage for COVID19 is a must to travel to UAE. Age is a crucial factor for deciding which insurance to get. These are the packages we offer for incoming visitors:

Coverage Details

  • Area of Coverage: United Arab of Emirates
  • Emergency Medical Coverage: AED 200, 000(The insurance provides coverage for COVID-19 if the insured person contracts the virus during the period of insurance subject to the cover)
  • Repatriation Coverage: AED 7, 500
  • Repatriation of the Deceased Coverage: AED 10,000
  • Loss of Passport Coverage: AED 250
  • Personal accident Coverage: AED 25,000
  • Travelers aged 71 - 80 shall pay USD$150 excess per claim

Rates

30 days from 95 AED to 225 AED & 90 days from 165 AED to 425 AED

07

Validity check

If you hold an entry permit/residence visa to any of the 7 emirates( Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah) check the validity of your visa on the website of Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship- ICA (the eChannel for residency and citizenship).

If you already have an entry permit/residence visa in Dubai, check your visa validity through Amer-GDRFA in Dubai.

For any inquiry regarding visa issuance, types and validity, communicate with ICA at the toll free number 600522222 or through ICA feedback platform.

For any inquiry regarding visa issuance, types and validity, communicate with ICA at the toll free number 600522222 or through ICA feedback platform.