Under certain conditions, a visa is required for a stay in the United Arab Emirates. For example, expatriates must obtain a Dubai visa. Whether a visa is required depends on the purpose of the trip and the length of stay in the emirate. We’ll explain when you need to apply for a visa and what types of visas are available in the UAE.
Do you need a visa for Dubai?
If you’re visiting Dubai for a short trip, you don’t need to apply for a Dubai visa online in advance. German citizens are automatically issued a visa upon arrival. For longer stays in the United Arab Emirates, travelers must apply for a visa on their own in order to enter the country and stay there for an extended period or permanently as an immigrant. The online application is submitted through the ICP Smart Services platform.
The Visitor Visa
Tourists receive a visitor visa upon entry into Dubai. It entitles the holder to a stay of up to 90 days. Individuals with a visitor visa may remain in the United Arab Emirates only for tourism purposes. They are not permitted to work or pursue studies in the country.
To stay in Dubai without a visa, tourists and business travelers must meet the following requirements:
- A passport valid for at least six months is required.
- There must be one blank page in the passport.
- Travelers must be in possession of a return ticket or be able to provide proof of their planned connecting flight.
- Proof of sufficient financial resources must be provided.
- The purpose of the trip to Dubai must be documented with the appropriate documents.
- You must carry all documents required for entry and exit.
The visa is issued free of charge. The stay is limited to 90 days, but can be spread out over a period of 180 days. It also allows for multiple entries within that time frame, making it an attractive option for frequent travelers.
Do I need a visa for a layover in Dubai?
Whether a visa is required for stopovers in Dubai depends on the traveler’s nationality. Citizens of Germany, Austria, or Switzerland do not need to apply for a visa in advance for a stopover during which they leave the airport.
Upon departure, you will be issued a visitor visa free of charge. A Dubai transit visa is free of charge and valid for 96 hours. It allows travelers to stay in Dubai for up to four days. Here, too, you must have a passport valid for at least six more months and present a ticket for onward travel or a return ticket.
Is a temporary passport sufficient to obtain a visa in Dubai?
Anyone holding a temporary passport cannot enter the United Arab Emirates. Regardless of the duration of the trip or the purpose of the visit, you must always present a regular passport that is valid for at least six months. Unlike a visa, which is not required for a tourist stay of up to 90 days, a valid passport is always mandatory.
Dubai Visa: What Types Are There?
Broadly speaking, the visas available for Dubai can be divided into visitor visas and residence visas. Which visa ultimately applies depends on the applicant’s nationality and on the purpose and duration of the stay. We will now outline the different types of visas and list the requirements and costs.
Visas for Guest Workers: Standard Work Visas
The Standard Work Visa entitles the holder to live in Dubai and work for a period of two to three years. The visa is granted only if a sponsor is available. The employer typically acts as the sponsor. This means that the issuance of the visa is tied to a permanent job in the United Arab Emirates.
This visa entitles the holder to work for private companies or government agencies. It also allows the holder to work for companies in the “Free Zone.” This term refers to geographically separate areas that offer companies certain tax and customs benefits.
The following documents are required for this Dubai visa:
- Passport (valid for at least six months from the date of entry)
- Passport (copy)
- Passport photo (white background)
- Medical Fitness Certificate (must be approved by the relevant authorities)
- Application for an Emirates ID
- Entry Permit
- Health Insurance
Anyone who wishes to work for a private company or a company in the “Free Zone” must also obtain a work permit in the “Private Sector” category.
Application
It is possible to apply for a Dubai visa in Germany. Once you have all the listed documents, you can create an account on the ICP website.
- Next, follow these steps:
- Log in using the appropriate login credentials
- Select a service and the corresponding visa
- Fill out the application
- Upload Documents
- Pay Fees
Receipt of the application will be confirmed by email. If any documents are missing, the applicant will also be notified. Missing documents may be submitted within 30 days. Once this period has expired, the application will no longer be valid.
Costs
The costs for a Dubai visa break down as follows:
- Application fee: 100 AED or about 26 euros
- Annual registration fee: 100 AED, or about 26 euros
- Fees for using the online service: 150 AED, or about 39 euros, per year
Therefore, you should expect to pay approximately 91 euros for the application and issuance of the Standard Work Visa. The processing time takes only a few days.
Visas for Freelancers and Skilled Workers: Green Visa
Anyone who plans to stay in Dubai for an extended period and wants to take a job in the emirate needs a permanent visa. With the Green Visa, you can stay in the United Arab Emirates for up to five years and work in Dubai.
No sponsor is required to obtain the Green Visa. Specifically, while proof of an employment contract is required, the employer does not have to sponsor the employee and is therefore not directly involved in the visa process. For example, someone planning to move to Dubai as a freelancer can sponsor themselves entirely. Once the visa has expired, an extension for an additional five years can be requested.
Requirements
To be eligible for this visa, you must work as a self-employed professional, freelancer, or skilled worker.
Freelancers and self-employed individuals must obtain authorization for their work from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. They must provide proof of a vocational diploma or a bachelor’s degree. Financial circumstances are also taken into account. Over the past two years, the applicant must have earned an annual income of at least 360,000 AED, equivalent to 93,000 euros. Documentation showing that the applicant will remain financially solvent during their planned stay in the United Arab Emirates is also accepted.
To be considered a skilled worker, the respective occupation must be classified as first, second, or third level according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent education is considered the minimum requirement. The monthly salary must be at least 15,000 AED, which is equivalent to an income of approximately 3,900 euros.
Required Documents
Applicants who meet the above requirements will need the following documents to apply for this visa:
- Passport (valid for at least another six months)
- Copy of passport
- Passport photo (white background)
- Proof of Financial Collateral
- Proof of Health Insurance for Dubai
Anyone wishing to join a company in Dubai as a partner or investor must present the appropriate employment contract and provide a certificate issued by the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates stating the percentage of ownership in the company.
Self-employed individuals must submit a certificate from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. Skilled workers who wish to apply for a Green Visa are required to provide proof of education.
Application
The application process is the same as for the visa type mentioned above. You must create an account with the ICP. After logging in, select the appropriate visa and service. Once you have completed the application, upload the required documents and pay the applicable fees. Here, too, any missing documents can be submitted within 30 days of receiving the acknowledgment of receipt.
Costs
The costs break down as follows:
- Entry Permit and Residence Permit: Visa fee 2,200 AED, Entry Permit: 1,035 AED
- Emirates ID: about 700 AED
- Medical examination: approximately 755 AED
Anyone already in Dubai must pay approximately 570 AED to change their visa status. This brings the total cost of a Green Visa to approximately 5,260 AED or 1,225 euros.
Visas for Entrepreneurs and Investors: Golden Visa
The Golden Visa allows for the longest period of stay in the United Arab Emirates—ranging from five to ten years.
Requirements
Obtaining a visa is subject to certain requirements.
The following groups of people may apply for the visa:
- Entrepreneur
- Investors
- Students with special talents
- Selected Occupational Groups
- People who perform humanitarian work in the UAE
- “Frontline Heroes” (occupational groups such as nurses or lab technicians)
Important for Investors
Investors can invest in real estate or contribute to investment funds. To qualify as a real estate investor, proof of ownership of a property worth at least two million AED must be provided. This is equivalent to approximately 520,000 euros. The property must be held for at least three years and may not be financed with a loan. If these conditions are met, a Golden Visa is granted for five years.
Anyone who invests at least 2 million AED in an investment fund in the United Arab Emirates is eligible for a ten-year residency permit. No loan may be taken out to finance the investment. In addition, at least 250,000 AED must be paid annually to the Federal Tax Authority of the United Arab Emirates.
Important for Business Owners
Entrepreneurs can obtain the Golden Visa for five years if the project is an “economic venture of a technical and forward-looking nature based on innovation and risk.”
The following areas fall under the purview of Technology and Science:
- Electrical Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Technology
- Software Engineering
- Big Data
- Genetics
- Biotechnology
- Epidemiology and Viruses
The following professional groups are also eligible to apply for a Golden Visa in the United Arab Emirates:
- Scientist
- Doctors
- Athletes
- Inventor
- Artists and Creative Professionals
Application and Costs
The application can be submitted online through the Dubai Land Department. There, select the “Golden Visa Application” option. Fill out the application form and upload all required documents. Alternatively, you can apply in person at a DLD service center.
Every applicant must undergo a medical examination. This includes blood tests and a chest X-ray. The Salem Medical Fitness Center is responsible for administering the tests. No appointment is necessary to take the tests. The results are automatically transmitted and entered into the application system.
The fees must be paid after the application is submitted. A 10-year Golden Visa costs approximately 9,884.75 AED, or about 2,302 euros.
Visas for Remote Workers: Virtual Work Visas
This visa allows individuals who work for a company headquartered outside the United Arab Emirates to stay for one year. However, the visa does not authorize the holder to work for a company headquartered in the UAE.
The visa offers the following benefits:
- Eligibility for a one-year stay in Dubai
- Sponsorship from the United Arab Emirates is not necessary
- There is no limit on the number of times you can enter and exit the country
- Access to Healthcare and Other Services in Dubai
- Family members can visit educational institutions in Dubai
- Visa Sponsorship Available for Family Members
Requirements
To apply for a Virtual Work Visa, the following requirements must be met:
- Employment with a company that is not headquartered in the United Arab Emirates.
- The employment contract must be valid for at least one year.
- Proof that remote work is possible.
- The monthly salary must be at least $3,500.
Applicants from certain countries may be required to submit additional documents. Applying for the Virtual Work Visa does not guarantee that a residence permit will be granted in Dubai.
Costs
The cost depends on where the application is submitted. Outside of Dubai, basic fees amount to approximately 373 AED or 87 euros. Applications submitted within Dubai can be filed, for example, through the AMER Center, and cost approximately 1,225.90 AED or approximately 286 euros.
Visa for People 50 and Older: Retirement Visa
Anyone over the age of 55 who owns property in Dubai or can demonstrate sufficient personal income may apply for a retirement visa in the United Arab Emirates. Spending one’s retirement in Dubai promises a high quality of life and access to first-class healthcare facilities.
Individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible for a visa:
- Have an annual income of at least 180,000 AED or 41,924 euros
- Have invested at least one million AED in a three-year time deposit
- Own an unencumbered property worth at least one million AED
- Have paid off at least one million AED on properties encumbered by mortgages
Costs
The application fee for a retirement visa in Dubai is approximately 890 AED. The cost of applying for the Emirates ID and the medical examination is approximately 3,700 AED. You should budget about 200 AED per month for health insurance. The total cost for a retirement visa in Dubai can range from 3,000 to 7,000 AED, or about 700 to 1,630 euros.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.com – steveheap (Steven Heap)
