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Dubai Visa On-Arrival: Simplified Entry for Travellers Explained

24 April 2024, Updated

Dubai Immigration, offers Dubai visa on-arrival only to citizens whose origin or passports are from some selected countries. UAE offers several types of on arrival visas, including on arrival visas that are valid for 180, 90, 30, and 14 days. Also the on-arrival visa holders have the ability to request for extensions, as well as change their on arrival visas to residence visas.

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Pack your bags for a smooth trip with Dubai Visa-On-Arrival

Which countries get visa on arrival in Dubai?

How Much Does Dubai Visa on Arrival cost?

Which nationalities are banned in UAE?

How long does it take to get a visa on arrival in Dubai?

How to do Dubai visa on arrival extension?

GCC residents can get a Dubai visa on arrival ?

Is UAE allowing visa on arrival during 2024 covid out break?

What is a Dubai visa on arrival ?

What is a Dubai visa on arrival

Dubai Visa on-arrival, offered by UAE immigration, is a facility that allows tourists to enter Dubai, or any other Emirate in UAE. Dubai on-arrival visa, consists of the following features:

tick Can be obtained, after landing at the Dubai airport. It does not have to be pre-arranged before entering Dubai.

tick When you arrive at the airport, the authorities in charge at the immigration counter, stamp the on-arrival visa onto your passport.

tick Once your visa proceeds with the required biometric procedures, the visa gets updated into the Amer system and ICA system.

tick On-arrival visas can be obtained by individuals who are citizens or holding passports of some selected countries.

tick Three of the four visa types are provided free while one is issued after paying a fee.

On-Arrival Visa Types in Dubai

Dubai immigration issues four types of Dubai on-arrival visas Out of those four on-arrival visa types, three types are offered free of charge. The other visa type is offered after paying a fee.

The 4 types of on-arrival visas are;

1On-arrival visa valid for 30 days

2On-arrival visa valid for 90 days

3On-arrival visa valid for 180 days

4On-arrival visa valid for 14 days

Dubai visa on arrival Explained

Free

30 Days

Free

90 Days

180 Days

on arrival

14 Days

on arrival

30-day On-Arrival Visa

Features available, for the 30-day on arrival visa are as follows;

30days

green-bulletCost: Free

green-bulletEntry Type: Single Entry Visa

green-bulletValidity Period: 40 days from the date of issuance

green-bulletPermitted Stay Duration:

- 40 days from the date of issue (30 days + 10 days grace period)

- Failing to exit the county, or failing to extend the visa, will result in fines

green-bulletExtension Options:

Can request visa extension

- if you request an extension via the immigration authority, you can get an extension for 70 days

- if you wish to stay longer, request an extension by contacting Arabiers

green-bulletImportant:

- A new 30-day on arrival visa is issued to an individual, each time he/she leaves and re-enters the country

- There is no limit to the number of 30-day on arrival visas issued per person, annually. Rejecting or issuing a visa is the sole discretion of the immigration authorities.

Citizens or travelers holding passports from the following countries, are eligible to get a 30-day on arrival visa to Dubai:

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 On-Arrival Visa

The features, of the 90-day on-arrival Dubai visa are as follows:

90-days

yellow-bulletCost: Free

yellow-bulletEntry type: Multi Entry

yellow-bulletValidity period: 6 months from the date of issuance (180 days)

yellow-bulletPermitted Stay Duration

90 days must be completed within the validity period of 6 months. No grace period

yellow-bulletExtension Options

This visa is non-extendable.

Citizens or travelers holding passports from the following countries, are eligible to get a 90-day on arrival visa to Dubai:

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

180-Day On-Arrival Visa

Below, are the features and the visa requirements of the 180-day on-arrival visa:

180-days

blue-bulletCost: Free

blue-bulletEntry type: Multiple Entry

blue-bulletValidity period: 6 months from the date of issuance (180 days)

blue-bulletPermitted stay duration:

180 days must be completed within the validity period of 6 months.

blue-bulletEligibility:

Citizens or travelers holding passports from Mexico

14-Day On-Arrival Visa

Features of the 14-day on-arrival visa, and the eligible countries, to get this on-arrival visa, are as follows;

14-days

vol-bulletCost: AED 120 (may subject to change)

vol-bulletEntry type: Single Entry Visa

vol-bulletValidity Period: 14 days from the date of issuance

- 14 days from the date of issuance

- Failing to exit Dubai, or failing to request an extension, may result in fines

- If an extension is requested, permitted stay duration will be 28 days

vol-bulletExtension Options:

Can request for extensions

- An extension for another 14 days, can be requested.

- It will cost approximately AED 250 (may subject to change)

- Extension can be requested only once

vol-bulletEligibility:

Indian passport holders, who hold a valid residence visa, issued by UK or EU countries.

(Minimum validity period of the residence visa must be 6 months)

Or

Indian passport holders, having a green card or visitor visa issued by the USA.
(Minimum validity period of the green card or visitor visa must be 6 months)

vol-bulletImportant:

- Although this is an on arrival visa, UAE government strongly advises the eligible nationalities to apply for this on-arrival visa, before entering to Dubai.

- They can apply through GDRFA.

- They can apply through GDRFA.

Extension Procedures

30-day On-Arrival Visa Extension

Travelers, who obtain a 30-day on arrival visa, can extend their visa for another 20 days. They also get a grace period of 10 days. Altogether, 30-day on arrival visa holders can get another 30 days, as an extension.

Available extension procedures for 30-day on-arrival visa holders are:

Option 01Airport to Airport Visa Exchange

Option 02Oman Border Run

Option 0390-days In Country Visa Extension

In case you already know that you will have to stay in Dubai for more than 30 days, then, in such situations, you can directly buy a 60-day prepaid visa, before visiting Dubai. Getting a prepaid visa will allow you to stay for 60 days in Dubai.

Accordingly, you have two ways to stay 60 days in Dubai:

  • - Entering to Dubai with an on-arrival visa, and later, requesting for an extension
  • - Getting 60-day prepaid visa, beforehand

90-day On-Arrival Visa Extension

Travelers with this on-arrival visa type, have a validity period of 180 days from the date of visa issuance. Meaning, they have to spend those 90 days, within 180 days.

If a traveler with this visa type stays in Dubai for 90 days straight, then he/she cannot get a new 90-day on-arrival visa, until the validity period of the previous visa ends.

In such situations, they have to request for an extension. Available extension procedures for 90-day on-arrival visa holders, are-

Option 01Airport to Airport Visa Exchange

Option 02Oman Border Run

Option 0390-days In Country Visa Extension

14-day On-Arrival Visa Extension

Travelers with a 14-day on-arrival visa, can extend their visa using the following procedures:

Option 01Airport to Airport Visa Exchange

Option 02Oman Border Run

Option 0390-days In Country Visa Extension

Travelers, eligible for a 14-day on-arrival visa, also can request for an extension through GDRFA or directly via Dubai immigration. This way, they can get another 14-day extension for 250 AED.

Dubai visa on arrival Extension

Important Facts Related to Dubai On-Arrival Visas

Following is some important Dubai on-arrival visa related information, you need to know:

  • border-bulletGrace period refers to a specific number of days given as a buffer, within which the visa holder has to leave the country or extend their stay by applying for a new visa or extending their current visa.
  • border-bulletYou cannot get any type of on arrival visas online. As the name suggests, an on-arrival Dubai visa is issued at the immigration counter of the Dubai airport. The issued visa gets updated into the AMER and ICA systems, after all the biometric procedures are completed.

    The process of getting an on arrival visa to Dubai is quite simple –

    1. 1. Get off from the flight
    2. 2. Proceed to the Immigration counter
    3. 3. Update your biometrics
    4. 4. Visa is stamped on the passport and gets updated on ICA and AMER systems
    5. 5. Collect your luggage
    6. 6. Exit the airport
  • border-bullet If you are a citizen from a country that is not on the list of selected countries, then you have to apply for a prepaid visa, and wait for its approval. There are several prepaid visa options, for you to choose from;
    • 30-days single entry visa
    • 60-days single entry visa
    • 30-days multiple entry visa
    • 60-days multiple entry visa

Prepaid Visas

If you have a valid passport, you can apply for a Dubai prepaid visa. This does not include a specific eligibility criteria.

However, there are some documents for you to submit, in order to support your visa approval procedure. These documents, are as follows:

  • border-bullet Coloured photograph of yourself, taken against a white background
  • border-bullet Coloured copy of the bio page of your passport (passport must be valid for at at least 3 months)
  • border-bullet Duly completed application form
  • border-bullet Copy of the return flight ticket
  • border-bullet Citizens from certain countries may have to submit additional documents, along with the documents listed above.

For instance:–

  • - Pakistan / Iran and Iraq citizens :- National ID card
  • - Afghanistan :- Tazkira ID / National ID card

Need help with your visa process, including the documentation procedure? Please contact our Arabiers team, and get assistance for everything related to your Dubai stay.

Prepaid Visa Types

Here are the Dubai prepaid visa types that any traveler can opt in to purchase, to visit Dubai.

Single-entry visas

30-day Tourist Visa:
- An extendable visa, that allows its holder to stay in Dubai for 30 days.

60-day Tourist Visa:
- An extendable visa, that permits its holder to stay in Dubai for 60 days.

Multiple-entry visas

30-day Tourist Visa:
- An extendable visa, that permits its holder to stay in Dubai for 30 days.
- Within this 30-day period, the holder can leave and re-enter Dubai multiple times.

60-day Tourist Visa:
- An extendable visa, that permits its holder to stay in Dubai for 60 days.
- Within this 60-day period, the holder can leave and re-enter Dubai multiple times.

Transit Visa

- ideal for transit passengers with layovers at the Dubai airport

48-hour transit visa:
- A non-extendable visa, that permits the holder to be in Dubai for approximately 2 days.

96-hour transit visa:
- A non-extendable visa, that permits the holder to stay in Dubai for 4 days, from the date of entry.

Prepaid Visa – Facts You Need to Know

  • ● There are both, single entry visas and multiple entry prepaid visas. Applicants can choose the visa type, according to the purpose of their visit.
  • ● The processing duration is roughly 3 to 4 working days, excluding any public holidays.
  • ● 30-day prepaid visas are valid for 30 days and 60-day prepaid visas are valid for 60 days.
  • ● The visa fees, unfortunately, are non-refundable.

Nationalities Having Difficulties Securing Visas

Citizens from the following countries may face difficulties in securing visas, due to various reasons, such as – due to issues in the region. Therefore, the citizens are recommended to be updated accordingly.

Dubai visa on arrival for Afghanistan
Afghanistan
algeria
Algeria
iran
Iran
iraq
Iraq
kenya
Kenya
lebanon
Lebanon
libya
Libya
pakistan
Pakistan
somalia
Somalia
syria
Syria
tunisia
Tunisia
turkey
Turkey
yemen
Yemen

Overstaying Fines

Overstaying fine, is a fine charged by the immigration authorities, if a visa holder stays in Dubai, or in any other Emirate of UAE, exceeding the visa validity period.

If you are charged with a fine for overstaying, the particular fine needs to be settled at the time of exit, at the immigration counter of the airport.

Calculating Your Overstaying Fine

Dubai immigration has implemented a new fine system for visitors, who overstay more than their visa validity period. According to the new fine system, there is a standard fine amount of 50 AED for each day the visitor stays in the country, from the date of visa expiry.

Also there will be an additional exit clearance charge of 350 AED, which needs to be paid in order to clear your fine/s.

Example Scenario

Suppose Mary overstayed 5 days past her visa expiry date. At the time of her exit, she will have to pay a fine of 600 AED. Following is the breakdown of her fine;

Day 1, past her date of visa expiry 50 AED
Day 2 – Day 5 (4 days x 50 AED) 4 x 50 AED
Exit Clearance Charge 350 AED
Total 600 AED
round-quoteSave yourself from unnecessary fines, by knowing your visa expiry date. For easier calculation of your last date of stay, use the Arabiers visa calculator.

Changing to Residence Visa

If you have all the right documents with you, changing your on arrival visa to a residence visa is not at all complicated.

Procedure of changing your Dubai on-arrival visa to a residence visa is primarily done by your employer. However, here’s a rough outline of how it is done;

  • file-icon Search for jobs, attend interviews and get selected. You are allowed to attend interviews, and visit the prospective employers, while with an on arrival visa.
  • file-icon Apply for a quote. This process can roughly take 2 – 3 days.
  • file-icon Get the offer letter from the employer/company. This will take between 1 – 3 days, to be completed.
  • file-iconLabour payment :- 1 day
  • file-iconEntry permit inside :- 1 day
  • file-iconChange status :- 1 day
  • file-iconMedical :- 3 – 4 days
  • file-icon Emirates ID Biometrics :- 1 day
  • file-icon Stamping :- 4 – 5 days

The duration to issue a residence visa is unpredictable. Some companies get the residence visa done within a matter of days. Whereas for some companies, it takes at least 2 – 3 months to get the residence visa process complete.

The duration of residence visa issuance, may depend on the reputation or recognition of the company you are getting employed in.

Changing from On-Arrival to Residence Visa – Documents Required

Below, are the documents required, if you wish to sponsor or get residence visa, for your spouse and your children;

Documents Required for Sponsoring Your Spouse

  • - passport bio page (soft copy)
  • - Dubai visa page on your passport (soft copy)
  • - attested marriage certificate
  • - bio page of the spouse’s passport (soft copy)
  • - coloured photograph of your spouse (soft copy)

Documents Required to Get a Residence Visa for Your Children

  • - attested child birth-certificate (soft copy)
  • - bio page of the child’s passport (soft copy)

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