Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE): Visa Information to Visit or Live

Whether your trip to Dubai is for a vacation or for you to live and work in Dubai, you should know that most people entering Dubai will need to have a valid visa regardless of the reason for being in the country. The entrance of foreigners to Dubai is strictly controlled.

In order to qualify for a visa you will need to have several documents. You will need a valid passport and at least three copies of it, at least six passport sized photographs of your self, a medical certificate if you are working, a marriage certificate of you are married and birth certificates for all members of the family. If you will be working in Dubai you will need a medical certificate that says you are free from HIV/ AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and are in general good health.

If you have any connection with Israel, such as an Israeli passport or entry stamp, then you can except to be barred from entering Dubai.

You will need to have a sponsor in order to obtain a visa to come to Dubai. If you are working, then your employer will be your sponsor. However if you are coming to Dubai for a vacation then your hotel will act as your sponsor. For this to happen, you will have to send your travel itinerary and passport to the hotel a few weeks in advance so that they can be sure of where you will be during your stay. In effect, the hotel will be responsible for you while you are in Dubai. For this service you will see an additional fee on your hotel bill.

Currently, GCC nationals, which are citizens of member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, do not need a visa to enter Dubai. Expat residents of other GCC countries and holders of British passports may also enter Dubai without needing to have a visa.

GCC nationals can stay in Dubai for as long they like. British citizens can stay for a month and after that will need to apply for a visa for an additional two months. European, American, South African and Australian citizens may obtain a visit visa from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) embassy in their home country before departure.