Do you want to visit the Emirates for work, tourism, study or medical purposes? The first step is to get an entry permit depending on the purpose of your visit. With this document, you can easily travel to the UAE without restrictions.
But what are the requirements, application process and fees? Read on to find everything about a hassle-free permit application.
- Overview
- Types
- Validity
- Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for an Entry Permit in the UAE
- How to Check Entry Permit Status
- How to Extend Entry Permit
- FAQs
Overview of an Entry Permit
Do you want to meet your relatives or have you received an employment offer in the Emirates? The first step to enter the UAE is to apply for an entry permit. Simply put, it is a document issued by the UAE government that grants entry for a specified period and purpose.
Types of Entry Permits
Depending on the purpose of your trip, there is a list of entry permits, each with a specified duration. These include:
- Employment Permits: Employees who have secured a job in the Emirates need this permit for a UAE work visa.
- Medical Treatments Permit: This permit is required for any medical treatment in the Emirates.
- Transit Visas: The UAE issues short-term transit visas as entry permits.
- Tourism Permits: Tourists require multi-entry or single-entry tourist visas, also known as tourism permits.
- Visit Visa Entry Permits: This permit is necessary for visiting relatives, attending courses and exploring the employment market.
- Residence Visa Entry Permit: This permit is required for all other types of UAE residence visas.
Validity
The validity of entry permits depends on their type and can vary from a few days to a few months. Here is the validity period for different types:
- Employment Permit: 60 days
- Transit Permit: 4 days
- Tourism Permit:
- Single and Multi Visit Entry Visa: 30 to 60 days
- Multi-Entry Tourist Permit (Long-Term): 5 years allowing the holder to visit the Emirates multiple times during this duration.
- Student Permit: One year
- Investor Permit: 60, 90 or 120 days
- Golden Visa Permit: 6 months
Eligibility Criteria
Let’s first look at the eligibility criteria for an entry permit in the UAE:
1. GCC Citizens
Entry permits are not required for the citizens of the following GCC countries:
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
2. Indian Citizens
Indian citizens can benefit from a 14-day visa on arrival, provided that they meet one of the following requirements:
- Have a UK resident visa.
- Hold a valid United States visit visa or green card.
- Have a European Union residence visa.
3. Countries That Require an Entry Permit
All countries excluding the ones listed in the visa-on-arrival program require an entry permit. Here is a list of countries eligible for visa on arrival:
30-Day Visa on Arrival
- Andorra
- Australia
- Brunei
- Canada
- China
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Monaco
- Malaysia
- Mauritius
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Ukraine
- The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
- United States of America
- Vatican City
90-Day Visa on Arrival
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Uruguay
How to Apply for an Entry Permit in the UAE
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) issues entry permits. Those visiting Dubai can also apply for entry permits via the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA). Let’s break down the process into simple steps:
Required Documents
Each type of entry permit requires a set of separate documents. Here is a quick overview of the required documents for permit application:
1. General Requirements
- Colour photograph
- A valid passport for at least six months from the application date
- Health insurance
2. Employment Permit
- Employment contract
- MoHRE certificate (for a green residency work permit)
3. Family Permit
- Evidence of kinship
- Reason for visit
- Residence permit copy
- Flight tickets
- Financial guarantee of AED 1,000 for a single trip and AED 2,000 for multiple trips
4. Student Permit
- Certificate specifying study duration by the subject educational institute
- Medically fit certificate
Process
If you meet the above requirements, follow these steps for a quick and straightforward application:
1. Through ICP
- Go to the ICP official website.
- Visit the ‘Services’ section and click ‘Services for Individuals’.
- Find the ‘Issuing Entry Permits’ service and go to ‘Info’.
- Click on ‘Start Service’.
- Register and log in to the ICP portal.
- Fill out the application form and attach the required documents.
- Pay the required fee.
- Wait for approval and permit issuance.
2. Through GDRFA
- Visit the GDRFA smart services website.
- Register and log in on the website.
- Search for ‘Entry Permits’.
- Choose the service for your desired type of entry permit.
- Fill out the application form providing all the details.
- Attach the required documents.
- Pay the fees.
- Receive a confirmation SMS and email.
3. Through Mobile Application
Applicants can also follow the same process and apply for a permit using mobile applications. Download one of the following mobile applications and apply for an entry permit anywhere, anytime:
- ICP (Play Store | App Store)
- GDRFA (Play Store | App Store)
- Dubai Now (Play Store | App Store)
Required Fee
The smart electronic services fee is AED 100. Here is a breakdown of service fees for different permit applications:
| Type | Application Fee | Issuance Fee |
| Entry Visa (Single-Entry) | AED 100 | AED 100 (each month) |
| Entry Visa (Multiple-Entry) | AED 100 | AED 200 (each month) |
| Five Year Tourist Visa (Multiple Entry) | AED 100 | AED 500 |
| Seafarers’ Single-Entry for 7 Days | AED 50 | AED 50 |
| Transit Visa for a Single Trip for 96 hours from Sea/Air Ports | AED 50 | AED 50 |
| Transit Visa for a Single Trip for 48 hours from Sea/Air Ports | AED 50 | – |
| Entry Visa for Work | AED 100 | AED 100 |
| Entry Visa for Work to Obtain Green Residency | AED 100 | AED 100 |
| Entry Visa for Residence Without Work | AED 100 | AED 100 |
| Golden Residence Visa for Multiple Trips for Six Months | AED 100 | AED 1,000 |
| Entry Visa for Residents of Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and theirCompanions for a Single Trip | AED 100 | AED 100 |
| Entry Visa for Foreigners Accompanying Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries for a Single Trip | AED 50 | AED 100 |
Processing Time
Permit issuance can take up to 48 hours to 7 days depending on the case.
How to Check Entry Permit Status
You can check the status of your permit application using the following methods:
1. Through ICP
- Visit the ICP official website.
- Go to the ‘E-channel Services’ section.
- Click on ‘Public Services’.
- On the top right corner, click on ‘Application Tracking’.
- Enter your ‘Request Number’ and click ‘Search’.
2. Through GDRFA (for Dubai Applications)
- Go to the GDRFA official website.
- Click ‘Visa Status’.
- Enter the required information to view permit status.
How to Extend Entry Permit
If you want to extend an entry permit, the process is quite simple. Extension is only granted for short stays while longer ones must apply for residency visas. Use the ICP or GDRFA website to apply for an extension. Here are the details:
Service Fee
AED 250 service fee is charged for all permit extension applications.
Extension Duration
- Tourism Permit: 30 days (can be issued twice)
- Visit Visa Permit: 30 days (can be issued twice)
- Student Permit: 90 days (can be issued once)
FAQs
A UAE entry permit grants an individual entry into the Emirates for a specified period. It is required for work, tourism, business and study travel.
It depends on the type of entry permit and its purpose. For instance, transit permits are valid for 48 hours to 4 days while residence visa permits are valid for 60 days.
If you have received your residence entry permit, the next step is to travel to the Emirates. After this, you have to apply for permanent residency and an Emirates ID.
The government imposes an AED 50 per day overstaying fine in the UAE on visitors who exceed visa durations.
Our step-by-step process makes entry permit applications easier than ever. Whether you are travelling for employment, tourism, medical or study, this document is essential.
You can follow this quick process to get a residence visa in the UAE. For similar visa guides, stay tuned to the Property Finder blog.
