How To Visit the UAE from KSA

Get a visa, of course! The thing is... are you eligible for a visa on arrival? Or do you need to apply for one before going? ;)

I'm sure most of you have read Eyecandy's Dubai entry and we've received a few inquiries regarding UAE visas. Some, we couldn't answer and some, well, we suggest answers. But here's a mini primer, which we hope can help you.

I also had the chance to visit the United Arab Emirates last April to attend my high school friend's wedding. I stayed mostly in Abu Dhabi and visited Dubai for a day (more on my trip on a later entry). The visa policy of the UAE is quite straight forward. Let me zero in on their policy about residents of GCC countries but are not GCC nationals. Ergo, we Filipinos living in Saudi Arabia (or any other non-Arab, non-Western expats for that matter). It's as simple as this:

GCC Residents who are not GCC nationals but who have high professional status such as company managers, business people, auditors, doctors, engineers, pharmacists, or employees working in the public sector, their families, drivers and personal staff sponsored by them, are eligible for a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival at the approved ports of entry. 

Did you understand it? Let's break it down a little further if it's still quite confusing. 

(Disclaimer: This analysis is based on our experience and understanding.) 

- What is a visa on arrival? 

This means that you're not required to apply for a tourist visa before you go to the UAE. You can just get the visa once you arrive in the airport. You don't have to go to the UAE embassy to apply for it (like what you do for a US or Schengen visa). You need to pay less than 200 dirhams at the airport of your entry for the visa.

- Who can get a visa on arrival? 

You can get a visa upon arrival only if you're a high professional (listed above) and it says so in your iqama. Those who are working as, say, engineers, but have 'drivers' in their iqama cannot get a visa upon arrival. Don't laugh. This iqama confusion and misrepresentation happen sometimes so better have your professions in your iqama checked.

- You are of a high profession and your family is going with you... can they also get a visa on arrival? 

Yes. As long as they are your eligible dependents (meaning, it says so in their iqama that they are your dependents). 

- Can we travel by land to the UAE?
Only if you're eligible for visa on arrival. Most tourist/visit visas which are released through travel agencies or sponsors should travel by air. From Riyadh, it's a 12-hour journey to Dubai on cars and buses. It's around an hour if you travel by plane.

- You are not of a high profession but you work in the public sector (ex. government hospitals), can you get a visa on arrival? 

Probably. Eyecandy's iqama states that she is a librarian and she works for a government hospital. She got a visa on arrival. A reader said they were medical secretaries but they work for a government hospital, they also got visa on arrival. To be sure, visit the UAE embassy in the Diplomatic Quarters (this is what E did) or call them in their phone number below. 

- What if you're not of a high profession but still wants to visit the UAE? 

You will require a visa before going and a sponsor for your visit. The sponsor will be the one to apply the visa on your behalf. Valid sponsors may be as follows: 

a. Hotels and tourist companies can apply, on your behalf, for a tourist visa (valid for 30 days), or a service visa (14 days), or visit visa (30 days extendable).

b. Airlines and airline handlers on behalf of their crew members for a 96-hour transit visa 

c. Other organizations based in the UAE 

d. Individuals (relatives or friends) already UAE residents may apply on your behalf. 

The easiest way among the four is the first option, especially when you have no family or friends in the UAE who can help you. Use an authorized travel agency in the UAE to apply the visa for you. 

When I was still clueless about all this process, I inquired via email in one of the travel agencies in Dubai. Here's what I gleaned on my email with South Travels JLT. (Disclaimer: The Pink Tarha is not related to South Travels JLT.) 

*This is for the visa valid only for 14 days. 

- They can process a visa request for $180 (per passport). 

- The visa they process is valid for arrival by plane only, NOT by bus. 

- Visa processing takes 3-4 UAE working days (take note that in the UAE, their weekend is Friday and Saturday). 

- Visa processing will start 10 days before the guest's arrival. 

- Submit the following via email attachment: 

* Clear copy of passport page with your personal information 

* Clear copy of iqama page 

* Colored passport size picture 

* Confirmed return airline ticket 

* Duly filled up application form (that will sent to you by the agency via email) 

- There's no guarantee that your visa will be approved, and immediately. And like any other visa application, yours can also be denied on various grounds. Visa approval is still subject to UAE Immigration Rules and Regulations. 

South Travel JLT answered all my questions regarding the visa process and they were really helpful. However, it turned out I wouldn't be needing their service.

I'm quite sure you will still have lots of questions. You can read this primer from UAE Interact, which we used in this entry. And you can inquire with various authorized travel agencies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Most of them answer inquiries. But to be really, really sure, you can also visit the UAE Embassy here in Riyadh to inquire. Don't be afraid to ask. 

United Arab Emirates Embassy in Riyadh 

Diplomatic Quarter Abu Baker Al-Karakhi, 

Q. Omer Bin Omaiah Street, 

P.O. Box 94385, Riyadh, 11693, KSA 

T: +966-1-4881227

E: uaer@cyberia.net.sa