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Types of Visa in UAE

January 17th, 2021 Updated

This guide is a thorough breakdown of the different types of visa in UAE, the procedures you can use to extend your visa and many other important details that will make planning a trip to UAE or preparing for an extension to your UAE visa an easy procedure.

Keep scrolling to understand the UAE visa types.

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01
International travelers – Visitors Visa (Tourist Visa)

Depending on the country of origin, certain travelers are eligible for on-arrival visas. The number of days they are permitted to stay in the country is also decided by their nationality or the originating country of the passport they hold. Individuals who aren’t eligible for on-arrival visas need to get a prepaid visit visa in uae(Pre- arranged). Here we have covered the different types of visas and their extension procedures.




Want to stay more 30 days on arrival 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, USA, Vatican City 30 Days Extention via Amer service Go to online Option 1 Option 2.1 Option 2.2 Option 2.3 Option 2 Oman boarder visa run You have 2 options (You will have 3 options) Visit AmerAnd e-Channel Click create application Choose “Entry Permit / Extend Entry Permit / On Arrival Visa Extension” Proceed to passport details Obtain 30 days extension granted 790-890 AED STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 1 STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 4 STEP 5 Getting on arrival Get a prepaid visa Apply oman visa https://evisa.rop.gov.om/home Speak to tourism company who can process Express visa Oman visa approved Apply Oman visahttps://evisa.rop.gov.om/home Drive to boarder / Book visa run Oman visa approved Pass theOman Border Drive to boarder / Book visa run Re enter with new 30 days free 30 days entry Next time after 30 or 90 days finished Omanvisa run Airport to airport visa change30 or 90 days entry visas Inside country visa (without exit) get 30 or 90 days entry visas by staying home STEP 5 Get Prepaid visa & Enter UAE
Want to stay more 90 days on arrival 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 90 Days Oman Visa run & Free Visa 90 Days on arrival visa valid for6 month and after consuming 90 days- Unable to get free on arrival Oman Visa run & Prepaid Visa Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 3.1 Option 2.1 Option 3.2 Option 2.2 Option 3.3 Option 2.3 Airport to Airport Visa Change You have 2 options (You will have 3 options) Speak to tourism company who can process express visa Apply Oman visa (https://evisa.rop.gov.om/home) Drive to boarder / Book visa run Oman visa approved Wait for the UAE entry visa from the tourism company Get prepaid visa based on your travel plan. 30 days & 90 days single entry visa or 30 days & 90 days multiple entry visas STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 4 STEP 3 STEP 5 STEP 6 STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5 STEP 6 Get Airport to Airport visa change ticket with your tourism company Reach Dubai or Sharjah Airport at around - 8 AM Go through Immigration and get exit stamp (manual) - 9 AM Fly nearest middle east country(Oman or Bahrain) - 10 AM Come back to Dubai or Sharjah Airport - 1 PM Get prepaid visa based on your travel plan. 30 days & 90 days single entry visa or 30 days & 90 days multiple entry visas Next time after 30 or 90 days finished Next time after 30 or 90 days finished Oman visa run get on arrival free 90 days again Oman visa run get on arrival free 90 days again Airport to airport visa change30 or 90 days entry visas Inside country visa (without exit) get 30 or 90 days entry visas by staying home Airport to airport visa change – 30 days & 90 days single entry visa or 30 days & 90 days multiple entry visas inside country visa (without exit) get pre paid 30 days & 90 days single entry visa or 30 days & 90 days multiple entry visas
Prepaid entry visas Staying more Get prepaid visa based on your travel plan. 30 days & 90 days single entry visa or 30 days & 90 days multiple entry visas Bosnia, Egypt, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Nepal & more 30 Days Inside country visa without exit Option 1 Airport to airport visa change with exit Option 2 Oman boarder bus visa run Option 3 (You have 3 options) 90 Days
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WANT AN EXTENSION?

An extension the process of increasing your lawful stay period in the UAE. The UAE government is very understanding of their visitors and have simplified the visa extension process for the on arrival and prepaid UAE visas. Checkout our visa extension guide for more precise information

Other type of visas

Entry visas are issued by the GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) and are documents that approve foreign travelers to legally enter and reside in UAE for an allowed time period. These documents are issued in both softcopy and hardcopy format and will vary depending on the reason of travel to UAE. Some nationalities don’t require a pre-paid entry visa so make sure to check if you need one or not. Before we get into the different types of entry visas let us understand the terms that are stated on the document.

The validity period of the entry visa states the duration within which the holder should enter the UAE through any of its land borders, airports or seaports. Most travelers mistake this as the duration until which they can stay in the UAE. Almost all entry visas have a validity period of sixty days from the date of issue.The duration of stay mentioned in the entry visa states the number of days the holder can legally stay in the UAE. This value differs from one permit to the other and usually the holder can stay longer by get an extension twice after which they have to return or change it into a residence visa.

02
All about the Oman visa run

These visas can be issued only by applying through a UAE-based airline before arriving in UAE. The Transit visa is not extendable, but travelers can choose between two types of transit visas. The 48-hour transit visa can be issued free of charge, but the 96-hour visa requires a payment of 50 AED.

Transit visas are a must for travelers who are not eligible for an on-arrival visa or a visa-free entry. If you are having long-layovers and are not eligible for any of the free entries, applying for a transit visa is mandatory. Documents needed to apply for transit visa are passport with at least six-month validity, photo with white background and a ticket showing the departing and arriving destinations (other than UAE).

03
Student Visa

A student visa is issued for two categories of individuals; international students who are studying in a university in UAE or the children of expatriates (who are residing in UAE) who are enrolled in one of UAE’s higher education institutes. A compulsory criterion to complete for being eligible for a student visa is to hold an official entry letter from the UAE university. Other requirements are a visa sponsor (the university or a parent/relative residing in the UAE), passing a medical test and approval from the GDRFA.

Student visas are issued for a stay period of one year and can be extended for a similar time period if proof from the relevant university is submitted that the student needs to continue studying.

04
Residence Visa

The foreigner’s residence visa is issued for foreigners who have already entered the UAE with an entry visa. Individuals who fulfill the GDRFA’s requirements can sponsor for a foreigner’s residence visa. The applicant should pass a medical test and a security check. The stay period varies between 1, 2 and 3 years depending on the sponsor and the type.

05
Retirement Visa

This visa is issued for retired residents exceeding 55 years of age and was implemented by the UAE cabinet to be issued after September 2018. The retirement visa is for 5-years and can be renewed if certain criteria are met. To obtain a retirement visa the retiree should fulfill any one of the following:

  • Have financial savings worth 1 million AED or more
  • Have an active income of 20,000AED /month or more
  • Have invested in property worth 2 million AED

06
Medical Visa

International patients can obtain a medical visa to obtain treatment in any public or private sector medical establishments in UAE. The governing body for issuing medical Visa in Dubai is the GDRFA while medical visa for all other emirates (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah) are governed by ICA (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. If seeking medical treatment in Dubai, the patient can only apply for a medical visa via the hospital they are obtaining treatment in whereas for any other emirate patients can apply for a medical visa through the ICA’s online portal.

The single-entry medical visa allows the patient to stay in the UAE for 90 days from entry date and can only be extended one time. The multiple entry visa allows a stay period of 90 days with multiple entries. It can also be extended. Extension for medical visa is only given if a certified medical report proves that the patient requires to continue with treatment. The patient’s companion can also receive an entry visa. Dubai only allows a single entry or multiple entry visa for patient’s companion whereas other Emirates also provide single and multiple entry visa for patient’s family group.