Requirements and Process of Obtaining a Tourist Visa UAE

Expats comprise almost 85% of the United Arab Emirates population.

This is no surprise.

The UAE boasts one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. With generous oil and gas reserves, the UAE’s liberal tax policies and relatively progressive government provide a haven for foreign investment and business. Low import duties, location, and world-class infrastructure don’t hurt, either.

Why wouldn’t you want to leverage such competitive business advantages?

Before you reap all the benefits of a business located in the UAE, you have to travel there. Getting a UAE tourist visa doesn’t have to be a complex process. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can be a minefield.

Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Read on for the ultimate tourist visa UAE guide.

Visiting the UAE 

Located on the Arabian Peninsula, the UAE shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. Almost the entire country is desert. Dubai, the UAE’s major city, is the exception.

Known for its modern architecture, vibrant culture, and luxury shopping, Dubai is an oasis. If you were in Dubai in 2020, you wouldn’t have known there was a pandemic ravaging the globe. More than 5.5 million tourists visited Dubai from around the world in 2020 to take advantage of the yearlong sunshine.

And not without good reason.

Home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, a delightful fusion of modern and traditional Arabic culture, and world-class attractions, Dubai is a vacationer’s paradise.

Visit the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa. Ride a camel among some of the world’s biggest sand dunes. Swim with dolphins. Lounge on the golden sandy beaches.

The options are truly endless for the avid vacationer.

Dubai – An Entrepreneur’s Paradise

Dubai, however, is so much more than a vacation destination.

Labelled the ‘world’s business hub‘, Dubai connects Eastern and Western economies. Rich from its vast oil and natural gas reserves, Dubai has successfully diversified its economy.

With a stable government and access to huge populations in Asia, Africa, and Europe, Dubai is an attractive business location. Its zero-tax regime and 100% company profit repatriation in certain jurisdictions only add to its appeal.

In 2019, the UAE government announced it would allow complete foreign ownership of companies in particular sectors and business zones across the country. Some of these sectors include hospitality, manufacturing and renewable energy.

It’s worth noting that each jurisdiction within the UAE has its own rules relating to foreign-owned businesses. As such, if you decide to establish a business in one of the aforementioned sectors in a particular region, it is not guaranteed that these freedoms will apply to you.

There are 60 different jurisdictions, just to complicate things!

If yourbusiness does not fall into one of these designated sectors or zones, there is a range of other conditions you must meet to start a business. These conditions are not unachievable. There is, however, a mountain of paperwork involved. Plus, liaising with Emirati authorities can be complex.

That’s where we can help.

Our MARASM process is simple. That’s why we’re the partner of choice for more entrepreneurs choosing to start a business in the UAE. Conditions aside, we help foreign investors continue to flock to the country.

Why not join them?

As you’ll see, obtaining a tourist visa to begin your new business journey can be a simple process.

Passport Requirements

Obtaining a UAE tourist visa is simple if you have the right documents. However, there are different rules for citizens of different countries. It’s important you know which rules apply to your country.

The following is a guide to the various tourist visa options available to expats looking to travel to the UAE. Due to the pandemic, travel regulations and rules are always changing.

Before applying for a visa or booking flights, it’s a good idea to double-check the current UAE travel restrictions. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us. We’re always here to help you with the latest travel and business formation advice.