UAE Entry Permit – Application, Eligibility and Requirements
UAE entry permit is a document issued by the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of the permit is to allow foreigners to enter the country.
Further, UAE has been ranked as the safest country in the Middle East and North Africa. It also ranks highly in terms of ease of doing business. In addition, its tourism sector is increasing. And this is why the UAE government is taking steps to ensure that only genuine visitors enter the country. Those who wish to visit the UAE must apply for an entry permit.
There are several requirements that applicants must meet before entering the country. This article explores the UAE Entry permit application, eligibility, and conditions.
About United Arab Emirates (UAE)?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in the Arabian Peninsula’s eastern region. The UAE is bounded to the west and south by Saudi Arabia and the east and north by Oman. Abu Dhabi’s capital city sits on the island of Abu Dhabi, while Dubai is on the Persian Gulf coast.
The seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are Umm al-Quwain, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, and Sharjah. Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi’s emir, is the UAE’s president.
The UAE has a population of 9.2 million people (2017), with more than 80% of the population being expatriates.
What is UAE Entry Permit?
The UAE Entry Permit is a document that permits foreign nationals to enter and stay in the country for a set length of time. The UAE authorities issue the permit, which must be obtained before travel.
Before you travel, your sponsor must get an entry permit from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). The number of days you can stay in the UAE with entry permission depends on the reason for your visit:
- An entry permit (transit visa) will be issued to you within 48 or 96 hours if you are transiting.
- Your admission permit is valid for up to 30 days if you enter as a tourist (i.e., tourist visa).
- If you’re coming to work, your entry permit is valid for up to 60 days, and so on.
As a result, a tourist visa and entry permission are essentially the same things.
Please keep in mind:
Some contradicting information is available online about UAE visa entrance requirements for some countries.
Mongolia and Liberia
It does not state anywhere other than on the IATA website that the nationals of Liberia and Mongolia are visa-free.
Grenada
According to the UAE Government’s website and the UAE Embassy in London, Grenada citizens are eligible for a 90-day visa on arrival in the UAE.
Nauru
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website indicates that Nauru citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE, while the IATA and Government of UAE websites do not.
The Solomon Islands
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, citizens of the Solomon Islands do not require a visa to enter the UAE. However, the website of the UAE government does not support this information.
UAE Entry permit and visa policies
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICA) and its affiliated Residency and Foreigners Affairs Directorates oversee the visa and permit system.
Before applying for a visa or an entry permit, determine if you are eligible for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival or whether you require an eVisa before travel or an entry permit pre-arranged by a sponsored resident in the UAE.
Disclaimer:
Visa regulations are subject to change. Therefore, the information on this page is merely an overview of the general visa requirements. In addition, you should check with UAE embassies and consulates worldwide, as well as the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security- ICA.
What kind of entry permit do you require?
The purpose of your visit determines the type of entry permit you require.Â
You can use it for:
- tourism
- visit
- transit
- work
UAE Entry Permit Validity
The type of permit given determines the validity of entry permits and the time range during which the visitor must enter the nation. For example, visit visas, tourist visas, and employment visas have a validity period of 60 days from the date of issue. On the other hand, entry permits for GCC residents are valid for 30 days from the date of issuing.
Transit visas for 96 hours are only valid for 14 days from the date of issuance. In addition, multiple entrance visas and temporary work permits have different validity periods.
Check the validity of your visa via the ICA’s eChannels portal or the Dubai GDRFA website.
UAE Entry Permit Requirements
The entry permit requirements for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are specific and can be confusing for first-time visitors. The following are the UAE entry permit requirements:
#1. You must have a sponsor to apply for an entry permit. The sponsor may be:
- an Emirati national
- a United Arab Emirates-based airline
- an expatriate resident in the UAE having a valid residency permit
- a hotel or travel operator in the UAE
- a government agency
- private sector or free zone companies
#2. Prospective tourists seeking entry permits must have a valid passport at least six months old.
#3. A visa ban prevents someone from entering the country or starting new employment. Interested visitors must not have been barred from entering or ejected from the UAE, so they must apply for a special permit to reenter.
UAE entry permit Cost
The cost of an entry permit to the UAE varies according to the visa and the length of stay. For example, a 30-day single-entry visa costs AED 1,000, while a 90-day multiple-entry visa costs AED 3,000. Other types of visas are also available for extended periods and business and investment purposes. These visas can cost between AED 5,000 and AED 50,000.
UAE Entry Permit for Family
If you intend to visit the United Arab Emirates with your family, you must apply for a UAE entry permit. This document grants you and your family members the right to enter and leave the UAE. Here’s all you need to know about applying for a family entry permit to the UAE.
The first step is to obtain all of the necessary paperwork. A completed application form is required for each family member’s passport, two recent passport-size photographs, and a completed application form. You can submit your application online or in person at a UAE consulate or embassy once you have all the relevant documentation.
A UAE entry permit might take up to 10 days to process, so apply well before your travel date. You will receive a 90-day electronic visa if your application is approved.
Why has my UAE entry permit been denied?
Have you ever filed for an entry permit to the UAE only to be denied? If that’s the case, you’re undoubtedly asking why. Here are some of the possible reasons your UAE Entry Permit was denied:
- You did not match the eligibility criteria. You must be a citizen of one of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations or have a valid residency permit from one of those countries to be eligible for a UAE Entry Permit.
- You failed to provide all of the required documentation. You must submit numerous documents when applying for a UAE Entry Permit, including a copy of your passport and proof of residency in one of the Gulf Cooperation Council nations. Your application will be rejected if you do not provide all the required documents.
- Your fingerprints were not accepted.
Also Read: UAE Student Visa – Application, Funding, and RequirementsÂ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are UAE entry permit documents?
To obtain an entry permit for the UAE, you will need to submit the following documents:
-A completed application form
-A valid passport
-Two recent passport-sized photographs
-A letter of invitation from a sponsor in the UAE
-Proof of travel insurance
-A fee of AED 160
How can I get approval for UAE entry?
There are a few ways to get approval for UAE entry:
-Apply for a visa through the UAE embassy
-Get a visa on arrival if you’re from a qualifying country
-If you work for a company in the UAE, you must obtain a residency permit.
How long does it take to get UAE entry permit?
An entry permit to the UAE typically takes about 2-7 working days. However, it depends on the country you are applying to and the reason for your travel.
What is the UAE visa minimum bank balance?
A UAE visa does not require specific money in your bank account. However, when applying for a visa, consulates may request documentation of your financial stability of at least AED 3000. Examples of such documents are bank statements, salary stubs, and tax returns. When traveling, having a solid bank balance is always a good idea!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the UAE Entry Permit is an excellent opportunity for those who want to enter the country and start a new life. The requirements and eligibility are pretty straightforward, so there’s no need to worry about that. Make sure you have all the necessary documents and apply for the permit as soon as possible. Good luck!
