How to Obtain a Visa for Dubai, UAE
Although U.S. citizens visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for less than one month do not need to apply for a visa to enter the country, this exemption may not apply to you if you are from another country. The "Visas & Passports for Travel to the UAE" page (see Resources) provides a thorough guide on countries that require a visa to visit the UAE. If you are from one of these countries and you would like to maximize your chances of obtaining a visa, you must adhere to the requirements set forth by the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C.
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Instructions
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Have two color 4.3-by-5.5-inch photographs taken of you within six months of your application.
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Photocopy your valid passport. Your passport must have a minimum validity of six months.
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Download a Visa Application Form from the homepage of the UAE Ministry of Interior Naturalization and Immigration Department (see Resources).
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Complete the application by typing directly into the form, answering all questions as thoroughly as possible. Date and sign the completed form. The UAE Embassy reserves the right to deny your visa application because of insufficient information.
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Print two copies of the completed application form.
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Compose a letter to "The Consular Section, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Washington, D.C," introducing yourself, providing details pertaining to your reasons for wanting to visit Dubai, UAE, and specifically requesting a visa to the country. Your letter must state why you are currently in the United States.
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Contact your Dubai or UAE contact or host and have him send you a letter of invitation to the country. If you plan to stay with an individual, your invitation letter must provide your host's name, address and the length of your stay, including reasons why you are staying for that specific length of time. Your host's letter of invitation must also state his relationship to you. If you are visiting a business or an organization, the invitation letter must provide the organization's name, address, phone number and an acceptance of responsibility by the organization. The letter must also include the full name, address and telephone number of a contact person within the organization.
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Contact the business or organization you are visiting, if your application is sponsored by an organization, and request they send you copy of their business license. Similarly, if you are visiting an individual in the country, contact your host and have her send you a copy of her residency permit and UAE passport, if applicable.
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Obtain a Verification of Employment letter from your employer. If you are self-employed, provide a copy of your business license. Students, retirees and homemakers must provide a bank statement demonstrating sufficient financial resources to cover their trip to the country.
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Photocopy your U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or valid U.S. visa.
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Make a money order covering the processing fee for your visa, which, as of May 2010, was $150 for a short-stay visa and $300 for a long-stay visa. The money order must be made payable to "The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates."
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Visit the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., in person and submit your application materials, including your valid passport. The embassy is located at:
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates
Visa Section
3522 International Court, NW
Suite 100
Washington, DC, 20008The UAE Embassy reserves the right to request that you attend an interview before approving your application.
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Tips & Warnings
A faster route to obtaining your UAE visa is by contacting your UAE host or sponsor and then having her apply for the visa in UAE on your behalf. Upon approval of the visa, your host can simply fax you a copy of the approved visa, which you can use to travel to the country. You will receive the original visa upon arrival at a UAE airport.
According to Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Washington, DC, "this takes only four (4) working days."
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dubai marina image by Handjani from Fotolia.com
