Everything You Need to Know About Dubai Visa: A Complete Guide

The UAE ranks among the best places to visit in the world because of the business, investment, and tourism. Before you can travel to the UAE, an Iranian citizen needs to obtain a UAE visa. The UAE visa is one of the most sought-after types of visas in the world! There are different types of Dubai visas. However, you need to choose which one is appropriate for your situation. In the following article, we will summarize the types of Dubai visas available and what is required to obtain them. So follow along!

Types of Dubai Visa

Non-UAE residents who want to invest, live, work and study in the UAE no longer need a national sponsor. The new system gives them a six-month visa enabling them to stay a long time in this country without any conditions.

Those UAE residents who are eligible for long-term visa can transfer their visa to investor visa if they fulfill the conditions.

Also, 3 new services are activated on portal:

•  a six-month visa for investors to complete the procedures for residency
• a six-month visa for both entrepreneurs and outstanding students to complete long-term residency procedures
• a six-month visa for gifted individuals to complete the residency procedures

Dubai Golden Visa

The Dubai Golden Visa also allows for permanent residency. This type of residency is designed for investors, entrepreneurs, researchers in any “science” field, or other distinguished students. It is a new initiative to promote more investment to boost the UAE economy. Importantly, with the UAE Golden Visa, holders of this visa can stay outside the country for greater than six consecutive months without affecting their residency status.

Residence Visa

After securing employment visa you need to apply for the residence visa. To do this, getting a medical test and applying for Emirate ID is needed. The UAE Resident Identity Card approves that the person is a legal UAE resident. After completing all of these steps, you can bring all the members of your family into the country.

Employment Visa

If you would like to work in the UAE, then you will need an Dubai work visa. Employment visa is a permission of work in the UAE. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issues this kind of visa which is valid for 2 month from the date of issuance.

Remote Work Visa

The UAE Cabinet has authorized a new remote work visa program to attract talent and professionals from all over the world. The project is also meant to provide companies with the opportunity to hire the best people from around the world who can then work remotely from the UAE. The Dubai visa is a one-year visa which allows foreign nationals to enter the UAE as independent people and work in the UAE on the specific terms of the visa.

This is first of its kind in the Middle East. The objective is to become more competitive, especially in tourism, and contribute to the UAE’s national economy. Further, it gives entrepreneurs and innovators an opportunity to flourish in the safe and attractive UAE environment. Also, the UAE provides business people with needed services, such as world standard telecommunications and world-class products.

Dubai Freelance Visa

The Dubai freelance visa is a form of residency and personal visa that allows individuals to live and work in the UAE without requiring a corporate or employer sponsorship. Freelancing is showed to more of a widespread, organized, and legitimate act anyone can do in Dubai. If you are looking to have independence, and start up your own business, Dubai surely provides more and better opportunities. The conditions and documents required to secure a Dubai based freelance visa are provided below.

Documents Necessary to acquire a Dubai Freelance Visa:

• Resume (CV)
• Recent photograph
• Copy of your Passport and visa subset of at least 8 months
• A bank reference letter
• N.O.C. (No Objection Certificate) from your UAE based sponsor
• A valid educational Certificate (for applicants in the education sector)
• Portfolio or Work Samples (for applicants relating to media)

Dubai Job Seeker Visa

This type of visa gives job seekers the opportunity to travel to the UAE and search for employment in person. Unfortunately, this visa is not available to Iranian citizens.

Tourist Visa

If you are looking to visit the UAE, then you will need a Dubai tourist visa. A tourist visa allows you to stay in the country for 30 days. To get tourist visa a UAE airline, hotel or tour operator should sponsor you. All of the UAE airlines offer visa services when you choose them. As well as these, travel agents and hotels are able to arrange this kind of visa for you.

14-Day Visa

This type of visa allows individuals to stay in the UAE for up to 14 days. It is a suitable tourist visa for those attending business meetings or making short visits to the UAE.

30-Day Visa

This type of tourist visa is ideal for individuals who want to spend more time exploring and enjoying different cities within the UAE.

60-Day Visa

This is considered a long-term tourist visa, allowing individuals to stay in the UAE for up to 58 days.

Dubai Tourist Visa Fees

The rates for various types of Dubai tourist visas are as follows:

Visit Visa

If you have a friend or relative who is the resident of the UAE, so they can sponsor you to get the visit visa. The application for the visit visa can be done through GDRFA offices across the emirate. The process only takes a few days. After the issuance of the visit visa, there will be two copies of the visa. One should be sent to you and another one should be submitted to the airport. As soon as you arrive at the airport, you can collect your visa from there. What is important to note is that you must have the copy with you when you arrive at the airport.

Transit Visa

Transit visa is issued for those people who are traveling long distances. This situation is when the flight is connecting and stopover is lengthy. In other words, this kind of visa is for those passengers just passing by. When the stopover overtakes 8 hours, this visa will be issued. Those passengers with transit visa must leave the country within 96 hours after arrival. Dubai airports have recently proposed that those passengers with shorter stopover will be allowed to experience the city of Dubai soon.

Dubai Green Visa

The Dubai Green Visa is one of the newest residency programs from the UAE government, aimed at attracting skilled talent, freelancers, and independent investors. The Dubai Green Visa allows applicants to live in Dubai for five years without needing a sponsoring employer. The introduction of the Green Visa is an important development in creating a conducive space in the UAE for professional and independent lifestyles and provides more structural flexibility than other types of visas.

Difference Between Green Visa, Work or Golden Visas

While work visas tend to generally be tied to employment by a company, and Golden Visas require significant investments in areas such as real estate or innovation, the Green Visa is positioned for individuals in independent or specialist roles. It is distinct in the most significant way (residency without a corporate sponsor), but generally has simpler requirements compared to the Golden Visa and wider candidate range.

Eligible Groups for Green Visa

There are three designated groups for the Green Visa application:

• Freelancers or self-employed workers in fields of digital content services, creative fields, education, consulting, etc.
• Specialists who meet nationality, academic degree, experience and are in-demand occupations.
• Small investors who operate in a registered business.

Each group must provide proof of professional activity or qualifications needed to apply for this visa.

Benefits and Financial Expectations

The primary benefits of the Green Visa include independent residency (without a sponsor), the ability to sponsor immediate family members, and a longer validity of 5 years. Green Visa holders will also have more flexibility to change employment or residency status.

Financially speaking, applicants must demonstrate a specific income threshold. For example, freelancers must demonstrate approximately AED 360,000 annual income for the last 3 years or contracts of work to illustrate expertise. These financial thresholds will differ by field, but the key idea is to validate that the individual will have the means to support themselves while being a resident of the UAE.

Long-term residence visas in the UAE

Long-term residence visas in the UAE offer foreign nationals the opportunity to live, work, or study in the country without the need for a local sponsor. These visas, such as the Green and Golden Visas, are ideal for investors, professionals, and talented individuals seeking stability and long-term opportunities in the UAE.

10-year visa without a sponsor:

The following categories are qualified to apply for the 10-year visa of the UAE:

Investors in public investments of at least Dh10 million

*the person must show an investment of Dh10 million or more- the person must establish a company in the UAE with Dh10 million value- The person must show partnership in an existing or a new company(the share should not be less than Dh 10 million).

Persons with specialized talents

This visa is for doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, in addition to creative individuals in the fields of culture and art. Having a valid employment contract in a specialized field is required.

Granting a visa requires:

• Scientists must be approved by Emirates Scientists Council -Creative individuals in culture or art must be approved by Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development
• Inventors must show a valuable patent adding to the UAE’s economy. Also, patents should be approved by the UAE’s scientists
• Executives must own an internationally recognized holding or show academic achievement.

Doctors and specialists:

• A PhD degree from a university which is among top 500
• An award or appreciation in the related field
• Published articles or scientific books
• being a member in an organization related to the field
• Specialization in main areas of the UAE

5-year visa without a sponsor

Eligibility for a 5-year visa without a sponsor:

Investors

• Investing in a property of not less than Dh5 million.
• The amount of investment must not be loaned
• The property must be kept three years or more

Entrepreneurs

This category requires an existing project with at least capital of Dh500,000 or the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.

Outstanding Students

This includes those outstanding students with GPA 3.75 or above upon graduation.

Requirements and Regulations for Obtaining a Dubai Visa

• Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult when traveling to the UAE and applying for a visa.

• The UAE enforces strict regulations regarding visa validity. Overstaying beyond your visa expiration date results in daily fines.

General Requirements for All Types of Visas

To apply for any type of residency visa in Dubai, there are some essential and general conditions that must be met. Without fulfilling these requirements, the visa application may be rejected in the initial stages. The table below highlights the most important conditions:

These requirements apply across all visa types, including work, family, property-based, and Green Visas. Applicants should ensure their documentation aligns with these prerequisites before submitting their application.

Differences in Requirements for Citizens of Various Countries (Iranians, Europeans, Asians)

Visa issuance processes differ based on nationality in terms of security screening, processing speed, and required documents. The table below outlines some key distinctions:

Iranians must ensure all their documents, including health and employment certificates, are officially and accurately translated. Attention to detail is crucial when submitting documents, as there are specific guidelines for Iranian nationals.

Visa constraints and causes for denial

Many different decisions including rejection can occur when applying for a visa in the UAE, however there are quite a few reasons that are common and can easily be seen at the first review, or even the last review. The major reasons for denial include:

• Criminal or security records from the applicant’s home country or in the UAE
• Incomplete / inaccurate documentation (for example an expired passport, or different information from two places)
• Problems with medical tests (for example, and certain contagious diseases)
• Not completing adequate financial documents (for example, property or Green Visas)
• Suspicion of intentions, purpose of stay, past violations of immigration laws

Usually the particular reason for denial is not disclosed. However, applicants can appeal or re-apply through immigration consultancies or through authorities. Furthermore, we strongly recommend that documents or conditions be reviewed by a professional listed as an expert, prior to final submission to avoid problems. The use of an expert will help alleviate further issues in applying.

How to Verify the Status of Your Dubai Visa

It’s important to know how to check your Dubai visa status, especially because every now and then every resident has to do so, typically at least every two or three years depending on their visa. Depending on how many years you have been on a visa, many residents remember their visa expiration month, but a few forget the date and flip through their pages in their passport. But seriously, if you do not have your passport, what can you do? If you know your passport number, you can check your visa online fairly quickly, it’s recommended to keep a copy of your passport. The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship publishes an online service that will help check visa status. Just go through the following six steps. Steps to Verify Your Dubai Visa Status:

1. Click on the official link [Click Here]
2. Click the radio button ‘Passport Information’
3. Select “Residency” or “Visa”
4. Enter your passport number and expiration date
5. Select your nation from the drop down on the right, a number will pop up on your left
6. Then tick the captcha checkbox and click ‘Search’, and the online system will display your visa information such as expiry date

Also, you can check your UAE visa status online.

Renewing or Cancelling a Visa via the Official Portal

For a straightforward and effective process for renewing or cancelling your visa in the UAE, you should go through official portals such as GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) or ICP (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship). When you go through official portals, you simply create an account, login, fill in the details, use online forms to apply for renewal or cancellation, upload necessary documents, and pay the fees. Renewals usually process within a few business days and usually cancellations process the same day if the residency conditions have changed or the individual is exiting the country. It is very important to enter correct information to prevent delays or rejections.

Visa Durations by Type

The allowed stay length and duration of a Visa in the UAE varies, it depends on the type of visa and the reason for it.

• A Tourist Visa is used for short stays, for a maximum of 30 to 90 days, it is possible to renew the visa depending on circumstances, although there are restrictions on how many times you may renew it.
• Work Visas, which are granted to those already employed and house by a company in the UAE, are issued for a duration of between 1 and 2 years, and are tied to your employer.
• Student Visas are mostly 1-year visas, can be renewed for the amount of time being studying for.
• Golden Visas, granted to those with significant merit in the fields of science, investment, or talent have one of the most extended durations, up to 10 years, which provides one of the longest term residency options in the UAE.

Table of Visa Validity Periods in the UAE

This table helps you choose the most suitable visa type for your needs and manage your stay and renewal process more effectively.

Price of Each Visa Type for Dubai

The cost of a Dubai visa can vary based upon the type of visa requested; the length of stay in the UAE; as well as the purpose of entering the UAE. Whether you are planning a short-term tourist experience, or long-term residency to study, work, or invest in Dubai, it will be important to know all expenses ahead of time, so that you can be adequately prepared financially. The UAE makes all of its services transparent and digital to allow visa applicants to view and pay visa fees or charges online. All applicants can look at the fee schedule before they apply. The following sections outline the costs related to the each visa type, including any applicable fees associated with renewing expired visas.

Fee Table for Tourist, Work, Student, and Residency Visas

Visa issuance costs in Dubai vary depending on several factors, including duration, type of stay and the applicant’s nationality. The table below shows the average cost for some of the most common visa types:

Additional services such as insurance, medical screening or immigration department fees may be charged separately.

Cost of Renewing Expired Visas

If your visa has expired and you plan to renew it, you must pay both the renewal fee and any penalties for late renewal. Fees depend on the visa type, but average as follows:

• Tourist Visa: AED 600 to 800 per 30-day renewal
• Work or Residency Visa: AED 3,000 to 4,500 per annual renewal, depending on job type and residency status
• Late Renewal Penalty: AED 50 per day after the expiry date

To avoid penalties, it’s recommended to check your visa status regularly and begin the renewal process at least 15 days before it expires. Using official platforms such as GDRFA and ICP makes the renewal process more straightforward and transparent.

Final Words

As mentioned earlier, the UAE is one of the most popular travel destinations around the globe. To travel to the UAE and Dubai, you will need a valid travel visa. There are different types of Dubai visas, each with different purposes, and we have described these visa types, along with their requirements, quite well in this article. The simplest and easiest way of acquiring a Dubai visa is to obtain a tourist visa, which should be issued to you in the least time and effort. So, which of these visa types fits you best? We hope this piece has been useful to you. If you still have questions about the different types of Dubai visas, or how to apply for a UAE passport, please feel free to send them through to us.