United Arab Emirates Travel Guide

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Passports and Visas

All visitors to the United Arab Emirates must hold a passport that is valid for three months from the date of entry, or six months if visiting for longer than 90 days. All passport photographs are to be recent color photographs. Visitors must hold documents and confirmed tickets for their next destination and have a sponsor in the UAE to cover their stay. Holders of passports containing an Israeli visa or stamps, need to obtain a clearance issued by the C.I.D. (Crime Investigation Deptartment) before arrival. It should also be noted that UAE citizenship is only ever granted to persons whose father is from the UAE. The onlyway a person becomes a UAE citizen is through paternity. (The UAE does not recognize dual nationality and all UAE citizens are required to enter and exit the country using UAE passports.) This means that regardless of how long a person has lived in Dubai, they will never be granted the same status as a citizen of the UAE and residence permits either by way of property ownership or employment remain the only option for a long term residence in the country. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

United States citizens require a visa, which can be obtained on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days. A further 30-day extension is possible at a fee of AED 600.

UK Nationals

Passports endorsed British Citizen will be granted a visit visa on arrival in the UAE. Visas are valid for 30 days for tourism, 14 days for business, and 96 hours for transit. British passports not endorsed British Citizen must hold a visa, as well as tickets and documents for next destination, and have a sponsor in the UAE to cover their stay. 30-day visa extensions are available at a cost of AED 600.

Canadians

Effective 2 January 2011, Canadians require a pre-issued visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. The cost is AED925 for a non-renewable 30-day visitor's visa, CA$500 for a three-month stay or CA$1,000 for a multiple-entry, six-month visa.

Australians

Australian nationals may stay in the UAE for up to 30 days with a visit visa, which can be obtained on arrival. An extension of a further 30 days is possible at a fee of AED 600.

South Africans

South Africans may enter the United Arab Emirates with a visa issued on arrival (arranged in advance). Visas are valid for 30 days for tourism, 14 days for business, and 96 hours for transit. Travelers must also be in possession of all tickets and documents required for their next destination and have a sponsor in the UAE - present at the airport on arrival - to cover their stay.

Irish Nationals

Irish nationals can obtain the required visa on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days. An extension of another 30 days is possible for a fee of AED 600.

New Zealanders

New Zealand nationals require a visa, which can be obtained on arrival for a stay of up to 30 days. A further 30-day extension is possible at a cost of AED 600.

Healthcare

No vaccinations are required for entry to the UAE, however a certificate is required for cholera and yellow fever if arriving from an affected area. Tap water in the major cities is safe to drink, but elsewhere only bottled water should be drunk. Medical care is excellent in the main cities, but extremely expensive, while medicines and medical care are not always available in the outlying areas. Health insurance is essential; in Abu Dhabi particularly a health insurance law has been implemented that makes it mandatory for all travelers to Abu Dhabi to have health insurance. In general, travelers who require medical treatment will have to cover the cost of any medical fees incurred.

Safety

Most visits to the UAE are trouble free. Crime is not a problem, but there is deemed to be a threat of terrorism against Western interests and gathering points, particularly entertainment venues. It is therefore wise to be vigilant when frequenting these. It is also wise to avoid political gatherings and demonstrations. Al Qaeda continues to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region, including references to attack Western interests, such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.