Types

This can be a complicated procedure if your visitor is not from one of the countries who are given a visit visa on arrival. The rules and regulations change regularly and the information below are as up to date as possible, but it is important to check with the UAE embassy in your country to get up-to-date information.

Visit Visa On Arrival:

AGCC Residents who are not GCC nationals but who have a high professional status such as company managers, business people, auditors, accountants, doctors, engineers, pharmacists, or employees working in the public sector, their families, drivers and personal staff sponsored by them, are eligible for a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival at the approved ports of entry.
Nationals of the following countries can obtain a visa upon arrival at Dubai airport:

UK(with the right of abode in UK), France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States,  Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and holders of Hong Kong SAR passports will be granted a free of charge visa for a single visit upon arrival in the UAE. It should be noted that this list may vary slightly from time to time and it is therefore best to check with your local UAE embassy or the airline that you are using to fly to the UAE.

If you are not a passport holder from one of the above countries, you will require a sponsor to arrange a visa for your visit.

Valid sponsors may be as follows:

• Hotels and tourist companies are able to apply for a Tourist Visa (valid for 30 days); a Service Visa (valid for 14 days); or a Visit Visa (valid for 30 days which can be extended for other 30 days).
• Airlines and airline handlers are able to apply on behalf of their crew members for a 96-hour Transit Visa.
  Other Organizations based in the UAE may only apply for Visit Visas and Service Visas.
• Individuals already resident in the UAE, may also apply for a Visit Visa for relatives or friends, but must follow the criteria set out in UAE Government guidelines.

Types of Visa:

Entry Service Permit
An Entry Service Permit applies to the following categories and their families accompanying them: company managers, sales managers, account auditors, delegations from companies or establishments here to carry out commercial activity in the UAE. This visa is also available for nationalities authorized to obtain a tourist visa.

Visit Visas for those from countries that do not appear on the list above:
The Visit Visa for tourists is valid for 60 days and is used especially for those coming for family visits as well as those on long-term business visits.
It requires the sponsorship of any UAE citizen/resident or company/hotel licensed to operate within the UAE.  A refundable AED 2,000 guarantee from expatriates who wish to sponsor distant relatives is required.

This visa is valid for entry within two months from its date of issue.

The Visit Visa is valid for 60 days and is renewable for a total stay of up to 90 days. A fee of AED 500 is charged for this renewal.

Tourist Visas:
A special category of visas under the Visit Visa type is a Tourist Visa, which can be obtained for individual tourists from Eastern and Western Europe who are not entitled to be issued with a visa on arrival, as well as those visitors and tourists from Thailand, South Africa and China.

The Tourist Visa entitles its holder to a 30 day stay and is non-renewable. Hotels and tour operators who bring in visitors from the above listed countries will provide the sponsorship for the Tourist Visa.

Multiple-Entry Visas:
Multiple-entry Visas are available for business visitors who have a relationship with either a multinational or other reputable local establishment, and frequent visitors to the UAE. This type of visa is valid for six months from the date of issue and the duration of each stay is 30 days. The visa is non-renewable and will cost is AED 1,000.

The visitor must enter the UAE on a Visit Visa and obtain the Multiple Entry Visa whilst in the country. The visa would be stamped on the passport.

Friend Visa Procedure:
Residents who earn a salary above AED 10,000 can apply for a visit visa for their friends, but only after getting an approval from the officer on duty. The salary should be mentioned on the attested contract, which should be submitted along with the application. To get approval, the applicant has to pay a refundable security deposit of AED 1,000 and provide health insurance for the friend which is valid for the visit period.

Requirements:
Pre-paid e-form visa application.
Copy of the sponsor’s passport and residence visa.
Copy of the visitor’s passport.
Photograph of the visitor.
Employment contract of the sponsor in which the salary is shown. The copy should be attested by the DNRD.
Health insurance valid for the duration of visitor’s stay in the UAE.
Refundable security deposit AED 1,000.
An AED 15 Empost sticker.
Additional AED 100 for urgent visa delivery.
About The DNRD:
The Department of Naturalisation and Residency Dubai (DNRD) looks after entry permits, visit visas, residence visas etc. for entering and living in the UAE if you enter through Dubai. DNRD is also referred to as the Dubai Immigration Department or Dubai Naturalisation and Residence Department.
DNRD offices offering all services (residency visas, entry permits, UAE passports) are:
• Bur Dubai Head Office near Dubai World Trade Centre roundabout
• Dubai Airport Free Zone
• Jebel Ali Free Zone
Check out the DNRD website for other locations with limited services.
Visa rules change regularly so it is best to check with your embassy, travel agent or airline before you fly. Information may also be available here: http://www.dnrd.ae/en/Services/ServicesGuide/Pages/Visitors.aspx