Dubai offers visitors from over 80+ countries the opportunity to land at Dubai airports and instantly get free tourist visas valid for 30 days. Even better – these Dubai visas can be renewed by taking short excursions to neighboring countries before they expire!
Determining If You Qualify for On Arrival Dubai Tourist Visa
Citizens of countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia, most European Union states, Singapore, Hong Kong and many others are entitled to get Dubai’s renewable tourist visa right at immigration counters upon landing. Refer official government tourist authority or Dubai’s best travel agency websites to check latest eligibility rules for your nationality.
Citizens of several Asian countries are eligible to get visas on arrival when entering Dubai. Here are some details:
The countries whose citizens can get Dubai visas upon landing at airports include:
Japan
Singapore
Malaysia
Hong Kong
China
Thailand
Seychelles
Visa Types Issued
Eligible Asian nationalities will be granted a 30-day visit/tourist visa on arrival in Dubai on fulfilling above criteria. This allows staying in Dubai for 30 days from entry. Some may be eligible for 90-day visas.
Passport holders from select Asian countries can take advantage of Dubai’s visa on arrival system to enter Dubai easily by carrying necessary documents and secure 30-90 day entry permits at immigration itself.
Documents You Need at Dubai Airport
Carry the below documents to show at the Dubai airport visa counter in the immigration section:
Your original passport that is valid for more than 6 months
A copy of your hotel or friend/family accommodation papers in Dubai
Print out of your return flight ticket out of Dubai
After checking the above papers, immigration officers will place the 30-day tourist visa stamp or sticker directly inside your passport.
What is Visa Overstay?
Visa overstaying occurs when someone continues staying in Dubai past the visa expiry date or remains in Dubai after 30 days allowed for tourist visas. This is illegal without proper extension or renewal.
Avoiding Overstay Issues
To avoid visa overstay consequences, have any visa renewal/extension applications submitted timely 30 days before current visa expiry as grace period. Exit UAE before visa expiration if renewal is still pending or no longer possible.
Dubai Overstay Fines and Penalties
UAE has stringent fines for visa overstay imposed as follows
50 to 100 AED per day within first 30 days
50 AED per day after 30days
25 AED every day for exceed sponsorship transfer delay
Other Consequences
Alongside fines, additional penalties for visa overstay include
Ban on re-entering UAE for an established period
Jail sentence up to a maximum of 3 months
Deportation and blacklisting by immigration
Those overstaying in Dubai for over 90 days will face permanent entry ban. Further stays beyond 6 months invite civil cases and court procedures.
Renewing Your Dubai Tourist Visa
Unfortunately your Dubai tourist visa cannot be renewed or extended if your 30 days end while you are still inside the United Arab Emirates. But you can exit to a nearby country right before the one month ends and immediately return to Dubai to get another fresh 30-day tourist visa at the airport!
Some Good Renewal Destinations
Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar are two neighboring countries people often visit for a few days when they want to come back and renew their Dubai tourist visa. There are budget flights, buses and taxis to these countries from Dubai.
Enjoy Dubai Longer!
So anyone visiting Dubai can now keep activating renewable 30-day tourist visas upon arrival by taking brief trips to countries around the UAE! It lets you enjoy all of Dubai’s main attractions as much as you want.