About the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the UAE. They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below the GDPs of the leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed it to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.
The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living.
At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for over 100 years. Despite higher oil revenues in 1999, the government has not drawn back from the economic reforms implemented during the 1998 oil price depression. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private-sector involvement.
The contrasts between old and new in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) are not only dramatic -- they're often deliberate. The leaders of this oil-rich nation, made up of seven emirates along the Persian Gulf, have launched a major campaign to attract tourists with new hotels and new diversions. But they have also maintained policies to conserve the country's traditional culture. As a result, you can easily maneuver between past and present in the U.A.E.: You can venture into the desert on a camel trek and then indulge in the new sport, sand skiing. Or you can bargain for carpets in a souk and then enjoy a round of golf on a green surrounded by sand.
The U.A.E. is a fascinating mix of Bedouin life and international commerce. For those looking for a complete escape into desert exoticism, the country's major cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai may be disappointing. At first glance, both cities look more like Houston than Tangier. But traces of the old Bedouin and trading cultures remain in the U.A.E., although you may have to search for them.
In Dubai, historic old houses cooled by wind towers are surrounded by squeaky-clean office buildings overlooking Khor Dubai, the broad creek that bisects the city and fades out in the desert to the east. Lining the docks of the creek are dhows (traditional sailboats), whose distinctive curved prows haven't changed in centuries, although they're now more often driven by motors rather than by sails.
The U.A.E. is one of the most comfortable and pleasant places to travel in the Arab world. For women, it's a particularly easy place to travel. It's a favorite resort for vacationers from more restrictive countries in the region. Its beaches, oases, dunes and a smattering of interesting rocky formations aren't as dramatic as the scenery elsewhere in the region, but the friendliness of the people is a big plus. There's always a lot going on, particularly in the way of sports or shopping.
VISA to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Immigration Guide
The three entry requirements of obtaining a visa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) are that you are not a citizen of Israel, that your passport doesn't contain Israeli stamps, and that your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your arrival. Information about the various UAE visa categories are explained in detail below.
Visit Visas
A visit visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14 days in the UAE, whether it is to visit relatives or for business purposes. The categories given below identify whether an individual requires a visit visa before arrival or whether one can be issued at the airport or entry point.
AGCC Citizens
Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa.
AGCC Residents
AGCC expatriate residents may obtain a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival.
UK Citizens
Residents of the UK with the right to abide in the United Kingdom may obtain a free visa on arrival, which is valid for 60 days and can be renewed for an additional 30 days for Dhs. 500 (US$ 137).
33 Privileged Countries
There are 33 countries that are given the same on arrival free UAE visa on arrival similar to UK citizens. These countries include citizens of France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States (US), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. A new law was passed on March 31st 2003, where the citizens of these 33 countries can only obtain a one-month non-renewable visit visa on arrival, which costs Dhs. 100 (US$ 28). Though the government officially passed this law, it does not seem to be always implemented.
Other Nationalities (Tourist Visas)
Citizens of countries that are not mentioned above require the sponsorship of a UAE resident (relative or friend), hotel, travel agency, or company, in order to obtain a visit visa. This type of visit visa is also known as the tourist visa. For a relative or friend to sponsor a tourist visa, he or she must earn over Dhs. 4,000 per month and hold a valid residence visa. A hotel can sponsor a tourist visa, only if you are a staying at the hotel, and they will hold your passport until all hotel payments are cleared. Procedures involved in issuing a tourist visa require that you provide your sponsor with your arrival details and a photocopy of the first few pages of your passport. With these details, the sponsor can apply for a tourist visa, which will cost Dhs. 100 (US$ 28) and take around 7 days to issue. Your sponsor must deposit your tourist visa at the airport immigration at least one hour before your flight's arrival, which will cost Dhs. 10 (US$ 3) for processing.
Transit Visas
This type of visa is a 4-day (96 hour) visa, which is issued by sponsorship of an airline operating in the UAE. A transit visa can only be issued if you have a valid ticket for an onward flight and the issuing of transit visas are free of cost.
Other Visit Visas
There are two other types of visit visas issued by the U.A.E. government. The first is a 14-day visa, also known as an Entry Service Permit. This visa must be sponsored by a UAE company or hotel and will take 2 weeks to issue. The second is a Multiple Entry Visa, which is useful for individuals who are continously visiting the UAE. This visa has special privileges for visitors from Germany and the United States. More information and requirements about these two visas can be found to your right.
Residence Visa
For individuals planning to live in the United Arab Emirates, you have to obtain a residence visa. A residence visa will be issued by the Immigration department of the emirate you will be staying in and provided to you by your sponsor (the company or person you are working for). If you have entered the country on a visit visa, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-enter the country or else make the transfer at the Immigration department.
If you are coming to the UAE with family members, you should obtain a family visa, which will allow you to sponsor your parents, spouse, daughters, and sons under the age of 18. Family visas are only possible if you earn more than Dhs. 4,000 (US$ 1,100) a month.
Residence visas are normally issued for 3-years and in order for it to be processed, you will need to take a medical test and obtain a health card. Individuals who test positive for AIDS will not be permitted to obtain a residence visa. A health card costs around Dhs. 300 (US$ 82) and should be renewed yearly. It can be issued by at Ministry of Health or else at a recognized private hospital.
Overstaying
A penalty charge of Dhs. 25 (US$ 7) - Dhs. 100 (US$ 28) per day is imposed on visitors who overstay. If the overstay extends to a significant amount of time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what penalties will occur.
Issuing Authority
The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) is the sole administrative authority of the Ministry of Interior that deals with issuing visas to foreigners visiting the country. Most visit visas issued in the UAE are issued through the Dubai International Airport and are sometime mistakenly reffered to as a Dubai visa. The most Dubai visas are issued during the various events sponsored by the Dubai government, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, as the visa requirements are minimized and obtaining a visa is alot easier.
Note: We would recommend that you also contact the UAE embassy or consulate in your country, as visa issues may have changed.
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS
- Abu Dhabi
Saeed bin Tahnoon St.
Abu Dhabi
Tel: 02 4462244
- Al Ain
Aditaba Road, near Dubai Islamic Bank, opposite Carrefour supermarket.
Tel: 03 7625555
- Dubai
Department of Naturalization and Residency, Trade Centre Road, near Bur Dubai Police Station
Tel: 04 3980000
- Sharjah
Department for Naturalization and Residence, near General Post Office
Tel: 06 5726777
- Umm al-Qaiwain
Tel: 06 7666419
- Ajman
Tel: 06 7422255
- Ra's as-Khaimah
Tel: 07 2273333
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