If you are visiting Dubai for the first time, you may wonder what types of Dubai visas are available. If you are a tourist you will most likely choose a tourist visa. If you want to visit for a different purpose, you can select a different visa to suit your travel needs. The Dubai Government issues a variety of visas and entry permits depending on the purpose of your visit. From this blog, you can find out more about the different visa types and how to track your Dubai visa status.
- Tourist visa
- Business visa
- Remote work visas
- Patient and his/her companion’s entry permit
- Transit visa
- Student visa
- Retirement visa
- eVisa for GCC residents
Tourist visa
Sri Lankans usually travel on a tourist visa, which is easy to get through a tourism business like Arabiers. As a Sri Lankan passport holder, you must apply in advance for a tourist visa, also known as a Dubai visit visa. Tourist visas to the UAE can be issued for 30 days or 60 days with single or multiple entry, depending on your travel plans. Prepaid tourist visas can be extended for another 30 days without having to leave the UAE. A new tourist visa can be obtained without exiting the country. If you are curious about the validity period of a tourist visa, it is 60 days from the time your tourist visa is issued within which you have to enter the UAE.
Business visa
A business visa is part of UAE’s Golden Visa program, which allows foreign nationals to apply for a long-term visa for themselves and their dependents. Any individual who owns any business overseas and wants to start a business in the UAE qualifies as an eligible entrepreneur. Professionals from any part of the world with entrepreneurial expertise are able to apply for a business visa.
Remote work visas
A remote work visa permits you to live in the UAE while working for your current company outside of the country. The visa has a validity period of one year. The UAE cabinet implemented the new Remote Work Visas plan to allow employees from all over the world to work remotely from the UAE. Their main goal is to attract talents and skills from all over the world. The one-year visa permits foreigners to enter the UAE on their own sponsorship and work in accordance with the visa's terms and conditions.
The first of its kind in the Middle East, this significant step allows entrepreneurs and talented individuals to innovate in the UAE's safe and attractive business climate, with access to all necessary world-class facilities.
What are the requirements to apply for a remote work visa ?
The general requirements are :
- passport valid for at least 6 months
- valid health insurance with a UAE cove
The general requirements depend on which category you fall under :
If you own a company :
- Proof of company ownership (for a minimum of one year)
- Bank statements of company account for the previous three months
- Earn an average monthly income of USD 5,000
If you are employed by a country overseas :
- Proof of employment with a contract (valid for at least one year)
- Salary slip of previous month
- Bank statement of previous three months
- Minimum monthly salary of USD 5,000
Patient and his/her companion entry permits
International patients who are funded by the medical facility where they will be treated are allowed to enter the UAE for treatment. If a legally recorded medical report demonstrates that the patient requires prolonged treatment and that his/her partner is required in the UAE, the patient's companion's entry permit can only be extended once. Patients from other countries can seek treatment in the UAE through medical institutions or government and commercial hospitals. The sponsor is the registered medical facility or hospital from which the patient is seeking treatment. They are responsible for processing treatment entrance permits at the patient's request.
Foreigners intending to enter the UAE for treatment are granted entrance permits by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, based on the sponsorship of medical institutes (public and private). There are two sorts of permits:
Single Entry Medical Treatment Permit : entitles the holder to enter the UAE within 60 days of issue and stay for 60 days from the date of entry. It is extendable but only for a single entry.
Multiple Entry Medical Treatment Permit : entitles the holder to enter the UAE within 60 days of issuing and stay for 60 days from the date of entry. It is renewable and allows for multiple admissions.
What are the documents needed to issue a UAE medical entry permit for the patient ?
- Passport copy of the patient
- Proof of patient’s health insurance
- Financial security
- A letter stating the purpose of visit from the registered hospital
What are the documents needed to issue a UAE medical entry permit for the companion ?
- Passport copy of the companion
- Proof of companion’s health insurance
- Financial security
Transit visa
Transit visas can be issued only by UAE-based airlines. the Transit visa must be issued before the entry into UAE. Extensions are not available for transit visas so it is best to exit the country within the specified duration. The UAE offers two types of transit visas :
- 48 Hour Transit Visa: This visa is issued free of charge.
- 96 Hour Transit Visa: Costs 50 AED.
Only the UAE-based airlines you'll be flying with can arrange your transit visa ahead of time.
Student visa
Expat students over the age of 18 who are residing in the UAE are granted a student visa. Outstanding students may be eligible for a five-year visa. On November 24, 2018, the UAE government approved a resolution to award excellent students a five-year visa.
The following are the requirements for obtaining a five-year visa :
- Students at public or private secondary schools must graduate with a minimum grade of 95%.
- University students from both within and outside the country must graduate with a distinguishing GPA of at least 3.75.
There are numerous visa benefits for the families of outstanding students.
Retirement visa for UAE residents
Retired residents over the age of 55 can apply for a five-year long-term residence visa. If the eligibility criteria are met, the visa may be renewed. The UAE Cabinet adopted a measure in September 2018 that will grant retired residents over the age of 55, a five-year long-term visa. If the eligibility criteria are met, the visa may be renewed.
A retiree must meet one of the following conditions to be eligible for a five-year renewable retirement visa :
- Invest in a home worth AED 2 million.
- A bank account with at least AED 1 million in savings
- Having a monthly active income of at least AED 20,000
e-Visa for GCC residents
GCC residents and their companions must apply for a visa online in order to enter the UAE. The visa is valid for 30 days and can be renewed for an additional 30 days.