Do you know not all visitors traveling to Dubai or UAE need a pre-approved visa? Yes, there are some travelers or nationalities that are eligible for a visa on arrival upon their landing in the UAE. This means that they can travel to the UAE while eliminating all cumbersome procedures of getting their Dubai visa in advance. If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to know more about this category of Dubai visa, read on this exclusive post on visa on arrival Dubai.
Do you need a visa to enter Dubai?
The first question to ask yourself when planning a visit to Dubai is – Do you need a visa to enter Dubai? Whether you need a Dubai visa or not totally depend on your citizenship. Citizens of certain countries can travel without a visa to Dubai. Some countries are eligible for visas on arrival in Dubai. Those countries that do not feature in both these categories will need to apply for a visa prior to their Dubai departure. They need to acquire a valid visa which should be shown at the Dubai airport immigration check to gain entry into Dubai. For instance a UK citizen do not have to apply for a Dubai visa from UK as he or she is eligible for visa on arrival for a certain amount of days.
What is a Visa on Arrival?
A visa on arrival is a privilege given to citizens of certain countries. It allows them to arrive at the destination without the hassles of applying for a visa beforehand. They get a visa at the airport’s immigration check upon their arrival in the country they are visiting. This visa saves time and cuts down major stress of applying and acquiring a visa before departing the home country. Visa on arrival can only be used by eligible visitors entering the destination for a short visit or tourism purposes.
Is Dubai visa on arrival open?
Yes, presently visa on arrival facility is open in Dubai for citizens of countries eligible for the same. All those who are eligible for a visa on arrival in Dubai need to be fully vaccinated with WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines. A printed certificate of the same must be presented. SMS certificates are not considered valid certificates. Unvaccinated visitors will have to do a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours prior to departure and must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate. All visitors have to undergo mandatory rapid PCR tests at the Dubai airport. The requirements and regulations for tests vary for different nationals and the same should be checked on official websites before embarking on a Dubai trip.
Which countries are eligible for a Dubai visa on arrival?
The following countries listed can get a visa on arrival at Dubai airport that is 30 days valid from the date of arrival in Dubai:
Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, New Zealand, Monaco, Vatican City, San Marino, Republic of Ireland, UK and Northern Ireland, Singapore, Ukraine, USA.
The following countries listed can get a visa on arrival at Dubai airport that is 90 days valid from the date of arrival in 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.
Citizens of Mexico get a visa on arrival for a period of 180 days from the date of entry. The possibility of extending the visa for arrival varies from country to country.
Is Dubai visa-free for Indians?
No. Indian citizens need to apply and acquire a valid UAE visa before they arrive at Dubai airport. However, if you are an Indian passport holder and have a USA visit visa, a resident visa issued by the UK or EU which is valid for six months from the date of arriving in Dubai, then you are valid for a visa on arrival in Dubai for 14 days stay. A charge of AED 120 per person is levied as visa fee for visa on arrival.
How can I get a visa on arrival at Dubai Airport?
If you are from a country whose citizen is eligible for a visa on arrival in Dubai, you simply need to deboard your flight and proceed to the immigration check. You have to present your passport with 6 months validity and confirmed return flight tickets and you will get your passport stamped with a Dubai visa on arrival. You may be asked a few questions about your stay by the officer and will have to give a digital photograph that will be clicked then and there for the record.
Conclusion
There may be slight variations in the list of nationalities or countries that are qualified for a visa on arrival in Dubai or the UAE. So, to avoid confusions, be sure to confirm regarding the eligibility of your visa with your airlines or the embassy before you travel to Dubai. Likewise, there are visa-free countries for UAE residents as well, which means that those living in the UAE can bypass the whole cumbersome process of applying for a visa when they plan to visit these countries in the future.