Your Dubai trip and the documents you need

The fabled city of Dubai receives thousands of tourists every year. It seems like one’s travel bucket list is incomplete without a visit to the land of riches and contemporary trends in food, shopping and lifestyle. Dubai has everything to offer both the seasoned traveller and the newbie. Nobody ever comes away disappointed from a Dubai sojourn.

Just as pleasurable as taking a Dubai trip, is the prospect of applying for a Dubai visa. Where other countries have a lengthy visa procedure, Dubai simplifies the process manifold. In fact, with the correct visa application formalities, you can get your visa for Dubai in just five days!

Follow these steps to get your Dubai visa:

1 Know the type of visa you need. You can get a tourist visa for a period of 30 days, 90 days or 180 days. You can apply for two types of visas: tourist or transit. The visa duration is counted from the date of issuance.

2 Documents needed. You will need to scan and apply with the first and last pages of your passport (which clearly show your name, photograph, residential address and passport number), scanned copy of your air tickets and a recent passport picture of the specified size and format. Once you have these documents ready, you can fill out an online application form and attach the passport documents and photograph where indicated. If you have applied for a 90 days tourist visa, you will need a signed letter from your Dubai sponsor attesting to your visit.

3 Apply for the visa online. Once you have all the documents at the ready, you can apply for the visa online or entrust your tour operator to do this for you at an additional charge.

4 Make the visa fee payment. You can pay the Dubai visa fee via Internet banking or using your credit card. Do preserve the payment receipt number carefully.

5 Receive the visa electronically. Once the fee is received and the documents are verified, you should receive your visa for Dubai in about five working days. The visa is sent electronically in PDF or JPEG formats. Scan the visa in colour and keep it carefully for stamping when you embark on your trip.