uae tourist visa entry permit validity

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Explained: How is an entry permit different from a UAE residence visa?

Living in uae.

What are the different types of entry permits issued? Find out.

Dubai: If you are planning to travel to the UAE, whether to live with your family or because you received a job offer, you may come across several terms that may be new to you. For example, one of the first documents you will receive from your sponsor is an Entry Permit, and as you are planning to stay on in the UAE, you would also need to have a residence visa in place. So, how is an entry permit different from a residence visa? Here is all you need to know.

What is an entry permit?

As per the official UAE government website – u.ae – an entry permit is a document that allows foreigners to enter and stay in the UAE legally for the short period mentioned on the permit. This could be a physical copy or even an e-permit, which is issued electronically.

The sponsor could be a company from the private sector, a public entity, a relative or a UAE-based airline or hotel. An entry permit is different from a visit visa, which can be issued to a person who is not currently in the country.

Some visitors may even be eligible to receive an entry permit on arrival, without the need to apply for one beforehand. GCC citizens, for example, do not need a visa to enter the UAE and some nationalities are provided a visa on arrival. To find out more, read our detailed guide here .

An entry permit is a document that allows foreigners to enter and stay in the UAE legally for the short period mentioned on the permit. - - u.ae, the official website of the UAE government.

Entry permit types, validity and duration of stay

Depending on your reason to enter the UAE, there are various types of entry permits that are issued. Some of them are:

• entry permit - employment

• entry permit - family visit

• entry permit - tourism/transit

• entry permit - treatment

• entry permit - mission

• entry permit - attending conferences.

The entry permit has a validity period, which is mentioned on the permit. For most entry permits, this validity is two months . This means that you can enter the UAE using the permit within this time. The validity of entry permits can be extended in some cases , but if you have not been able to apply for an extension in time, the entry permit will automatically expire upon the lapse of the validity period.

The duration of stay, which is different from the permit’s validity, depends on the type of entry permit. For example, entry permits for transit allow the person to stay in the country for four days, while entry permits for employment allow the employee to stay in the country for two months.

What is a residence visa?

A residence visa, on the other hand, is issued to the individual when he or she is already inside the country, having entered using the entry permit.

If you do not change your status to being a residence visa holder, you would be required to leave the country upon the lapse of entry permit duration to avoid fines and penalties .

To convert your entry permit into a residence visa, you need to undergo a medical fitness test and apply for the visa and Emirates ID. A visa would then be issued for one, two, or three years, depending on the type of visa.

To read a detailed guide on the visa application process, click here for the family visa process  and here for the employment visa process . It is important to note that all costs related to the visa process need to be borne by the sponsor.

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Tourist visa, travel requirements for the uae.

A tourist wishing to visit the UAE can apply for a tourist visa through the electronic channels of official and private agencies, after fulfilling the requirements for obtaining the entry visa. You can learn about the requirements for entering the UAE and the procedures regarding COVID-19 tests through the websites of the airlines, which are kept up-to-date.

Travel Requirements for the UAE - Tourist Visa

Government portals to apply for a tourist visa.

You can submit an application for a tourist visa, as well as all types of entry visas to the UAE, electronically through government portals.

• Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship
• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs

National Airlines

You can apply for a visit visa through national airlines and authorised airlines in the UAE.

• Etihad Airways Visa Services
• Emirates Visa Services
• Flydubai Visa Services
• Air Arabia Visa Services

You can apply for a visit visa through one of the hotels in the UAE, adhering to the visa requirements.

Travel Agencies

You can apply for a visit visa through travel agencies in the UAE.

Embassies and Consulates

UAE embassies and consulates allow you to apply for a tourist visa.

Categories Exempt from Tourist Visa

Citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries do not need a visa to enter the UAE. They can enter the country after presenting their passport issued by one of the GCC countries. Citizens of a few countries can travel to the UAE and obtain an entry visa upon arrival, and the duration of stay according to this visa is up to 30 days. Citizens of other countries can obtain a visa that allows for a stay of up to 90 days upon arrival.

• Visa on arrival

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Entry Requirements for UAE in 2024: Visa or Permit Needed?

Wondering about the entry requirements for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? Here's what you need to know to plan your visit according to the UAE governmental 2024 update

GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE. Some of the other nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival while others need to apply for a visa in advance. Find out if you need a visa to enter the UAE.

Visa-free entry

Citizens of GCC countries do not require a visa or permit or to be sponsored by a national or resident in the UAE. They need to produce their GCC country passport or national ID card at the point of entry into the UAE.

Visa on arrival

30-day visa on arrival.

Citizens of these countries do not require advance visa arrangements to enter the UAE and can obtain a visa upon arrival for 30 days with a 10-day grace period for extension.

• Hong Kong SAR China
• Macau SAR China
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vatican City

90-day visa on arrival

Citizens of these countries do not require advance visa arrangements to enter the UAE and can obtain a visa upon arrival for 90 days:

• Czech Republic (Czechia)
• El Salvador
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea (Republic of)
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Switzerland

Pre-arranged entry permits

Anyone who does not have the privilege of getting a visa-free entry or a visa on arrival will require an entry permit prior to arrival into the UAE and someone to sponsor it.

• Afghanistan
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Dominican Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Ivory Coast
• North Macedonia
• Marshall Islands
• Myanmar (Burma)
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Republic of the Congo
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Saint Kitts & Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Taiwan, Republic of China
• Timor-Leste (East Timor)
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Republic of Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Turks & Caicos Islands

Requirements for an entry permit

These are the requirements for an entry permit:

• an Emirati citizen
• an expatriate resident with valid residency permit in the UAE
• a UAE-based airline
• a UAE-based hotel or tour agent
• a government entity
• companies in the private sector or free zones.
• Prospective visitors seeking entry permits are required to have a genuine passport, valid for at least six months.
• A visa ban prohibits a person from entering the country or taking up a new job. Prospective visitors must not have been deported or be banned from entering the UAE in which case, he needs to obtain special permission to re-enter.

Illegal to work on a visit or tourist visa

Visitors and tourists should be aware that it is illegal to work in the UAE with or without pay while being on a visit or tourist visa. According to the UAE's labour and residency laws, a person cannot work if he has not been issued a work permit and an employment visa. Violators may be liable to fines and deportation.

Source: Al-Bayan newspaper

Issuing a tourist visa for several entries

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• Visa and Emirates ID

Do you need an entry permit/visa to enter the UAE?

GCC citizens do not need a visa to enter the UAE. Some of the other nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival while others need to apply for a visa in advance. Find out if you need a visa to enter the UAE. 

Related eServices

Visa-free entry, visa on arrival, pre-arranged entry permits, illegal to work on a visit or tourist visa.

• Aِpply for an entry perimit to the UAE  - ICP
• Apply for eVisa from GCC countries  - General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai 
• Visa services of Etihad Airways   - Etihad Airways
• Visa services offered by Emirates Airline   - Emirates Airline
• Visa services of Fly Dubai   - Fly Dubai
• Visa services of Air Arabia   - Air Arabia
• Apply for a visa - Abu Dhabi Residents Office.

30-day visa on arrival

Citizens of these countries do not require advance visa arrangements to enter the UAE and can obtain a visa upon arrival for 30 days with a 10-day grace period for extension.

90-day visa on arrival

Citizens of these countries do not require advance visa arrangements to enter the UAE and can obtain a visa upon arrival for 90 days:

Indian citizens

Indian citizens holding a normal passport and either

• a visit visa issued by the USA or
• a green card issued by the USA or
• a residence visa issued by the UK or
• a residence visa issued by the EU

can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days provided that the visas or the green card is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival into the UAE.

Read about the UAE visa requirements for non-US citizens .

Note: Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the UAE. Lists of countries eligible for visa on arrival may vary from time to time; therefore, please check with the  UAE embassy  in your country before travelling to the UAE.

Related links

Visa on arrival  - General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai 

For more information, please contact:

• The UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai

Anyone who does not have the privilege of getting a visa-free entry or a visa on arrival will require an entry permit prior to arrival into the UAE and someone to sponsor it. 

What type of entry permit you need?

The entry permit you need depends on the purpose of your visit. It could be for:

Requirements for an entry permit

These are the requirements for an entry permit:

• You need a sponsor to apply for your entry permit. The sponsor could be:
• an Emirati citizen
• an expatriate resident with valid residency permit in the UAE
• a UAE-based airline
• a UAE-based hotel or tour agent
• a government entity
• companies in the private sector or free zones.

       2. Prospective visitors seeking entry permits are required to have a genuine passport, valid for at least six months.

       3. A visa ban prohibits a person from entering the country or taking up a new job. Prospective visitors must not have been deported or be banned from entering the UAE in which case, he needs to obtain special permission to re-enter.

Learn about types of visas and entry permits to the UAE. 

Visitors and tourists should be aware that it is illegal to work in the UAE with or without pay while being on a visit or tourist visa. According to the UAE's labour and residency laws, a person cannot work if he has not been issued a work permit and an employment visa. Violators may be liable to fines and deportation.

Read about t he e xpatriates' employment in the private sector.

Related links:

• Visa and entry permit services  - Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai
• Getting a visa for Abu Dhab i  - Abu Dhabi Residents Office
• Entry visas and fees for various categories of visitors to Dubai -  Dubai Tourism

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New schengen visa rules for india, saudi arabia, oman, bahrain, the new system offers substantial advantages, allowing travellers access to long-term, multi-entry entry permit.

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Travelling to Europe has become much more convenient for GCC and Indian visitors. The European Commission has approved new regulations for the issuance of Schengen visas to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and India who live in their home countries.

Under the new system, Saudi, Bahraini and Omanis will now have access to multiple-entry visas, allowing them to travel to 29 European countries using the same visa within five years.

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This implementation has significantly simplified the process of obtaining a Schengen visa, making it much more convenient for eligible applicants, even first-time applicants. They can now look forward to receiving a multiple-entry visa that remains valid for up to five years, relieving them of the stress of frequent visa applications.

"The European Commission has adopted new rules for the issuance of Schengen visas for Saudi, Bahraini and Omani nationals residing in their home country. It is an important step promoting people-to-people contacts and facilitating exchanges between the EU and GCC citizens," the delegation of the European Union in GCC posted on X.

Kuwaitis can be issued with long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for five years. UAE nationals enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen nations, permitting stays of up to three months at a time. However, a Schengen visa is a must for UAE residents.

Additionally, the European Commission adopted specific rules on issuing multiple entry visas to Indians. Under the new regulations, Indian travellers are now eligible to obtain a two-year Schengen visa, a significant enhancement compared to the shorter validity periods previously offered.

To qualify for this extended visa, applicants must have obtained and used two Schengen visas within the last three years in accordance with the regulations. Upon successfully utilising the two-year visa, travellers can typically anticipate eligibility for a five-year Schengen visa, subject to the maintenance of sufficient passport validity.

This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with the facilitation of people-to-people contacts being a key aspect due to the importance of India as a partner for the EU.

These changes ease the visa application process and facilitate smoother travel experiences.

Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen area for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries (of which 25 are EU states): Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

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European Union adopts more favourable Schengen visa rules for Indians

Indian Nationals can now apply for a multiple entry Schengen visa with longer validity

On 18 April 2024, the European Commission adopted specific rules on the issuing of multiple entry visas to Indian nationals, which are more favourable than the standard rules of the Visa Code that applied to date. This new visa ‘cascade’ regime for Indian nationals residing in India who apply for Schengen (short-stay) visas in India will provide easier access to visas with multi-year validity for travellers with an established travel history, if the passport validity allows. 

According to the newly adopted visa “cascade” regime for India, Indian nationals can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years. The two-year visa will normally be followed by a five-year visa, if the passport has sufficient validity remaining. During the validity period of these visas, holders enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals.

This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with facilitation of people-to-people contacts being of key aspect due to the importance of India as a partner for the EU. 

Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen area for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries (of which 25 are EU states): Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.