UAE Visit Visa Validity Check: Requirements & Price
What is a UAE Visit Visa?
Unlike a tourist visa that permits only leisure travel and sightseeing, a visit visa has a broader scope and enables foreigners to perform multiple tasks in the UAE. The UAE government has recently discontinued the 3-month visit visa. Consequently, visitors can now apply for a 30-day or a 60-day visit visa.
Why is it Important to Know about UAE Visit Visa Validity and Status?
Travellers need to understand the visa regulations of a foreign country they intend to visit. A foreign national entering the UAE has to exit before the expiry date of his/her visa. Overstaying the visa is a criminal offence in the UAE and may result in heavy fines, imprisonment, and deportation. Offenders may also be prevented from travelling to the UAE for a specific period in the future.
Therefore, visa holders should keep track of their visa status and leave the UAE before the expiry date unless they obtain an extension on their visas. The UAE visit visa validity check is a simple process that can be performed online through the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship portal.
How to Check the Visit Visa Validity in the UAE: Easy Steps to Follow
1) Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA)
Visit the official website of ICA
Navigate to the ‘Visa Status’ section and click on ‘Check Visa Validity.’
Select the ‘Passport Information’ tab and enter all the required details, including the captcha code
Click on ‘Search’ to view your visa status
2) General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) - Dubai
Visit the official website of GDRFA.
Navigate to the ‘Visa Enquiry’ section and click on ‘Check Visa Status.
Enter all the required details (visa application number, passport number, nationality, etc). Then, enter the captcha code.
Click on ‘Submit’ to view the status of your visa.
Note: You can also download the GDRFA Dubai mobile app on your smartphone to check the status and validity of your visit visa.
3) Amer Services
Several Amer centres are appointed by the GDRFA to process visa applications. The UAE visit visa validity checking is quite a simple process through an Amer center. The procedure is as follows:
Dial the toll-free number 800 5111 (within the UAE) or +971 4 313 9999 (from outside the UAE)
Give the details of your passport and visa application to the customer support executive
Place a request for information regarding the status and validity of your visit visa
How to Check the Visit Visa Status in UAE?
The step-by-step procedure to check the status of your UAE visit visa is as follows:
Visit the official website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA)
Go to the ‘Services’ or ‘Visa’ section on the home page
Select ‘Visa Enquiry’ or ‘Check Visa Status’
Create a new account or log in to your existing account
Enter the requisite details such as your passport number
Verify the details and click ‘Submit’
UAE Visit Visa Requirements
The general requirements for applicants to obtain a UAE visit visa are as follows:
Passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of entering Dubai and having at least two blank pages
One or two passport-sized colour photographs (recent) with a white background
Duly completed and signed visa application form.
A copy of the return flight ticket with confirmation of dates
Proof of accommodation, i.e. hotel booking details or an invitation letter from a resident of Dubai along with their passport & visa details
Proof of financial resources to support your stay in the UAE, i.e. bank statements for the past six months and a letter from your employer
A cover letter that describes the purpose of your travel
Specific requirements such as travel insurance based on your nationality and type of tourist visa
How to Apply for a UAE Visit Visa?
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Citizens of many countries are eligible for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival. Kindly check if your nationality requires you to obtain a visa to enter the UAE.
Step 2: Choose the Type of Visa
There are several types of visit visas. You can choose the type of visit visa based on your need:
- Short-term single entry: 30 days
- Long-term single entry: 90 days
- Short-term multiple entry: 30 days
- Long-term multiple entry: 90 days
Step 3: Finding a Sponsor
Applicants for a visit visa typically need a sponsor. Sponsors can be any of the following entities:
- UAE residents (family or friends)
- UAE-based airlines
- UAE hotels or travel agencies
- Companies or organizations in the UAE
Step 4
Arrange for all the required documents to support your visa application. The details are given in the preceding section.
Step 5
Apply for the visa through any of the options given below
- Through your sponsor : Sponsors can apply on your behalf through the ICA or the GDRFA portals
- Online platforms : Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad offer online visa services for their passengers
- Travel agencies : Many travel agencies are also authorized to handle the visa application process
Step 6: Pay the Visa Fee
Visa fees vary based on the type and duration of the visa. Please select the right visa type and pay the requisite fee during the application process.
Step 7: Visa Processing & Approval
It may take a few days to a couple of weeks for your visa application to get processed and approved. Please apply well in advance of your intended travel date.
Step 8: Receiving the Visa
After approval, the visa is sent via email to successful applicants. You can download and print a copy of this document.
UAE Visit Visa Processing Time
The approval of your UAE visit visa application is subject to several factors. Generally, the UAE visit visa processing time is 3 to 5 working days. However, it may take longer due to issues such as incorrect information, invalid documentation, policy changes, and a heavy volume of applications during certain periods of the year.
UAE Visit Visa Price Details
| Visa Type | Fees (AED) |
|---|---|
| 30-day Single Entry Visit Visa | 200 |
| 60-day Single Entry Visit Visa | 300 |
| 30-day Multiple Entry Visit Visa | 300 |
| 60-day Multiple Entry Visit Visa | 500 |
Note: The UAE visit visa fees are subject to change periodically. Please check the ICA or the GDRFA portals for the latest updates.
Frequently Asked Questions on UAE Visit Visa
The one-month UAE visit price is AED 200 (single entry) and AED 300 (multiple entry).
It takes at least 3 to 4 working days for the processing of your visa application. The UAE visit visa remains valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.
The UAE offers different types of visas to suit the purposes of travellers. Here are the types of visas available in the UAE.
- Tourist Visa: This visa is suitable for leisure travel, tourism, and sightseeing. Both short-term (30 days) and long-term (90 days) tourist visas are available for travellers.
- Visit Visa: A visit visa can be utilized for various purposes, including tourism, family visits, work, education, training, and medical treatment. A visit visa is currently being issued for 30 days and 60 days.
- Transit Visa: Travelers with a long stopover in Dubai (i.e. beyond 8 hours) can obtain a transit visa and explore the city outside. Dubai transit visas are issued for 48 hours and 96 hours.
- Student Visa: Individuals who wish to pursue their education can obtain a student visa after getting admission to an educational institution in the UAE. This visa has a validity of one year and can be renewed later based on the student’s requirements.
- Employment Visa: A standard employment visa is typically sponsored by an employer based in the UAE. It is valid for 2 to 3 years. Further, the expat worker must accept a job offer in writing and obtain an entry permit before arriving in the UAE.
- Golden Visa: This is a long-term residence visa offered to investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, specialized/creative talent, and outstanding students. The golden visa has a validity of 5 to 10 years.
- Green Visa: This visa is ideal for freelancers and self-employed individuals who wish to live in the UAE. The permit is valid for five years and does not require employer sponsorship.
- Family Visa: A family visa facilitates any UAE resident to sponsor dependent family members to take up residency in the Emirates. The validity of this visa depends on the sponsor’s visa status.
- Retirement Visa: Retired foreign nationals aged above 55 years can apply for a retirement visa if they have a monthly income of at least AED 15,000 or financial savings/property worth at least AED 1 million. The visa is valid for five years.
- Special Visa: The UAE grants special entry permits to attend conferences or participate in cultural and sporting events
The procedure to check the UAE visa status with your passport number is as follows:
- Visit the official website of the GDRFA
- Navigate to the ‘Visa Services’ section
- Select the option to check the visa status by passport number
- Enter all the required details, including the passport number
- Click ‘Submit’ to view your visa status and validity
Disclaimer: The nations, visa costs, and other information presented here are derived from a variety of sources. This is not a recommendation or promotion from Prominent Insurance Brokers. Before purchasing your tickets or requesting a visa, please confirm the same.