How To Get A Tourist Visa In Dubai
Visiting a country can be the most exciting thing you’ve ever done. But, how do you get a visa? Many people avoid the UAE or other countries located in the Middle East because of the strict laws regarding visas and belonging to Western countries. Figuring out how to get a tourist visa in Dubai really isn’t as hard as some people make it out to be.
If you’re a tourist who’s keen to discover the emirate and its surroundings, then you’re in luck. Getting a tourist visa in Dubai is easier than most people think. If you’re coming from a country that participates in the UAE visa-waiver program, then getting a tourist visa won’t be an issue.
In this article, I’m going to talk about the tourist visa process in Dubai in relation to a US passport holder who is not a resident of the UAE.
How To Get A Tourist Visa In Dubai
Traveling to Dubai from a Western country can be a little tricky. Many people look down on on a tourist visa for Dubai, but it can actually be easier than a work visa and not that complicated if you know what you’re doing.
I travel a lot. I mean a lot. Quite frankly, I do it because I love it. But there’s more than that, too. Traveling helps me to come up with ideas for articles to write and new ways to think of things. This trip has been my third to Dubai in the past 10 years…
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in Western Asia. It is a sovereign constitutional monarchy, consisting of seven Emirates: Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, and Abu Dhabi, the largest Emirate as well as the capital.
With the mix of modern architecture right next to the historical and cultural landmarks, UAE attracts millions of tourists every year.
If you are planning a trip to the UAE, you may find that you need to apply for a UAE visa (or not, depending on your country). The UAE government allows nationals of several countries to enter without a visa for short stays.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Dubai or the Other Emirates?
Whether you need a UAE visa or not depends on your nationality. Citizens of some countries are allowed to enter the Emirates without a visa or obtain one upon arrival, while others have to get it before they travel.
See the lists of who needs a UAE visa and who is exempt below:
| Country | Visa needed? | Country | Visa needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andorra | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days | Mauritius | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days |
| Argentina | Visa free for up to 90 days | Mexico | Visa free for up to 180 days |
| Australia | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days | Monaco | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days |
| Bahamas | Visa on arrival for up to 90 days | Mongolia | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days |
| Bahrain | enter UAE with a passport or ID | Montenegro | Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period |
| Barbados | Visa free for up to 90 days | Nauru | Visa free for up to 90 days |
| Brazil | Visa free for up to 90 days | New Zealand | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days |
| Brunei | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days | Norway | Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period |
| Canada | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days | Oman | enter UAE with a passport or ID |
| Chile | Visa free for up to 90 days | Paraguay | Visa free for up to 90 days |
| China | Visa free for up to 30 days | Russia | Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period |
| Costa Rica | Visa on arrival for up to 90 days | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period |
| El Salvador | Visa on arrival for up to 90 days | San Marino | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days |
| EU member states (excluding the UK and Ireland) | Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period | Saudi Arabia | enter UAE with a passport or ID |
| Honduras | Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period | Serbia | Visa free for up to 90 days |
| Hong Kong | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days | Seychelles | Visa free for up to 90 days |
| Iceland | Visa free for up to 90 days in any 180 day period | Singapore | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days |
| Ireland | Visa on arrival for up to 30 days | Solomon Islands | Visa free for up to 90 days |
| Japan | Visa free for up to 30 days | South Korea | Visa on arrival for up to 90 days |