United Arab Emirates Travel Guide

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Passports

Passport valid for a minimum of six months for tourist and empoyment purposes beyond the end date of the stay, required by all nationals referred to in the chart above. Often a sponsor will hold a visitor's passport. In these cases a receipt will be issued. This will generally be accepted in place of a passport where a transaction may require one.

Visas

Nationals referred to in the chart above, on business or tourist visits lasting 30 days (extendable on request up to 90 days), are issued visas, free of charge on arrival, provided they meet the requirements of the Resident and Nationalization Authorities, except the following:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia, who do need a visa for tourist or business stays of up to 30 days, unless transit passengers, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport for up to 12 hours.
Note: (a) UK nationals must travel with a passport reading 'British Citizen' as national status. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Visa types and costs: Visit Citizens who belong to the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) don’t require a visa. Citizens of the following 33 countries are issued with a free 30-day visit visa upon entry: UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Note: Israeli citizens are not permitted to travel to the UAE. Upon arriving, an eye scan is required for everyone except GCC citizens and the 33 visa-exempt nationalities. Short visit visa If you’re not from one of the countries listed in the above categories and you want to stay longer than 14 days in the UAE, it’s necessary to obtain a visit visa and pay a fee of Dhs500 in advance through a sponsor, such as your hotel, a travel agency, your hotel, a friend or relative, or the business you are liaising with in the UAE. Note: It can’t be any hotel – you must be a guest. If your friend or family member is acting as your sponsor, he or she must earn over Dh4000 per month and hold a valid residence visa. Long visit visas costs twice as much (Dhs1000) and entitles the holder to a 90 days stay in the country. Visitors from Thailand , South Africa and China must be sponsored for their 30-day visit, which costs Dh100. Extensions UK and Australian citizens can extend their 30-day visa for an additional period of 30 days for a fee of Dh500. US citizens who want to stay longer than one month must go through a formal process of applying for a visa prior to traveling at the embassy. This costs US$51 and requires valid passport along with passport copies from both you and your sponsor (either a hotel, business, family member or friend who is a UAE resident). There are other requirements too; your sponsor must also draft up an invitation letter, you need a letter from your employer. Allow three days for processing. Transit Transit passengers holding valid onward or return documentation are permitted a 96-hour stay in the country which can be arranged through your airline, though the citizens of some countries are exempt. Check with your embassy. Multiple entry Costs Dhs2000 and allows stays of up to 14 days at a time over a period of six months from the date of issue. Business visa It costs Dhs320 for a14-day, non-renewable Mission Visa, issued to businessmen and professionals, You must be sponsored a company, consultant or hotel and pay an additional Dhs1000, refundable upon departure deposit.

Visa Note

The government of the United Arab Emirates refuses entry and transit to those holding transit documents issued from Lebanon or the Syrian Arab Republic, and travel documents issued by the Coalition Authority in Iraq, should their visas be obtained through an associate in the UAE.
Note: No problems in entering the UAE occur for those traveling with an Israeli stamp endorsement.

The embassy only issues visas for visits of an official nature - usually diplomatic or certain business visits. For routine travel, visas for tourists, travelers (intending to visit family) and business travelers must be arranged via the sponsor (the hotel/package tour operator or UAE resident/company concerned). This includes transit visas. To obtain approval, the sponsor will require the visitor's proposed flight and passport details in advance. Business visits are made by invitation only and proof of company trading license is required. The sponsor will then confirm to the visitor that a visa has been arranged, usually by fax, and that she/he will be met at the airport.

Types of Visa and Cost

Visit Citizens who belong to the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) don’t require a visa. Citizens of the following 33 countries are issued with a free 30-day visit visa upon entry: UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Note: Israeli citizens are not permitted to travel to the UAE. Upon arriving, an eye scan is required for everyone except GCC citizens and the 33 visa-exempt nationalities. Short Visit Visa If you’re not from one of the countries listed in the above categories and you want to stay longer than 14 days in the UAE, it’s necessary to obtain a Visit Visa and pay a fee of Dhs500 in advance through a sponsor, such as your hotel, a travel agency, your hotel, a friend or relative, or the business you are liaising with in the UAE. Note: It can’t be any hotel – you must be a guest. If your friend or family member is acting as your sponsor, he or she must earn over Dh4000 per month and hold a valid residence visa. Long visit visas costs twice as much (Dhs1000) and entitles the holder to a 90 days stay in the country. Visitors from Thailand , South Africa and China must be sponsored for their 30-day visit, which costs Dh100. Extensions UK and Australian citizens can extend their 30-day visa for an additional period of 30 days for a fee of Dh500. US citizens who want to stay longer than one month must go through a formal process of applying for a visa prior to traveling at the embassy. This costs US$51 and requires valid passport along with passport copies from both you and your sponsor (either a hotel, business, family member or friend who is a UAE resident). There are other requirements too; your sponsor must also draft up an invitation letter, you need a letter from your employer. Allow three days for processing. Transit Transit passengers holding valid onward or return documentation are permitted a 96-hour stay in the country which can be arranged through your airline, though the citizens of some countries are exempt. Check with your embassy. Multiple entry Costs Dhs2000 and allows stays of up to 14 days at a time over a period of six months from the date of issue. Business visa It costs Dhs320 for a14-day, non-renewable Mission Visa, issued to businessmen and professionals, You must be sponsored a company, consultant or hotel and pay an additional Dhs1000, refundable upon departure deposit.

Validity

30 days from date of entry and two months from date of issue. It may be possible to extend visas on request for up to a maximum of 90 days at the local immigration office. Visitors over 40 should be aware that they will need to obtain local health insurance in Abu Dhabi before the visa extension will be granted.

Applications to:

Sponsor. For official visits, the embassy in London has limited visa services.

Working Days Required

Between three and five when arranged through a sponsor. However, allowances should be made for possible delays in approval procedure. It is strongly advised to apply well in advance of departure date.

Travel Warnings

The vast majority of visits are trouble-free.

There is a high threat from terrorism. It is believed that terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE. Attacks could be indescriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests. Visitors should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.

The penalties for drug trafficking, drug smuggling and drug possession are severe. There is a zero tolerance policy towards drugs, including any found in the bloodstream.

Some UK medicines, including some over the counter medicines, such as Codeine, are illegal in the UAE without a Doctor's prescription. Travelers are advised to keep all such medicines in their original packaging and, in addition to the prescription, provide a note from their GP outlining what the medicine isrequired for and what quantity is required for the duration of the stay. Painkillers and other over the counter medicines are easily obtained locally. If travelers have any concerns about taking medication into the UAE, they should contact their nearest UAE Embassy for more details.

Travelers should review their security arrangements carefully. They should remain vigilant, particularly in public places and avoid any public demonstrations.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

Medical facilities are of a very high quality but are extremely expensive. Private health insurance is essential.
Note: Some UK prescription/over the counter medicines are illegal in UAE.

Vaccinations