Before you stretch out
on the beach or head into the desert, take time to tour the city sights.
Start with the Bastakiya Quarter, one of the few areas where you'll see
older, traditional buildings. Several nearby museums will help you put
the sights into context. The Dubai Museum, housed in an old fort, presents
the city's history in a colorful way. The Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum House
is another history and culture museum worth visiting. To better understand
the city's connection to the sea, stop by the Dubai Heritage and Diving
Village.
The Dubai skyline reveals the city's enthusiasm for architecture. Currently
claiming the title of tallest building in the city are the twin triangular
Emirates Towers. The Burj al-Arab hotel tower, in the shape of a large
sail and situated on an island, is also a remarkable sight. Dubai's many
mosques are primarily for worshippers, rather than sightseers. Nevertheless,
you should definitely have a look at the Jumeirah Mosque, particularly
when it's lit up at night.
Some of Dubai's most diverse sights
are along Khor Dubai, the broad, winding creek. Merchants load and unload
old dhows (traditional boats), which are lined up along the wharves, and
Armani-clad businesspeople pass by, conducting business on cell phones.
Another way to enjoy the sights along the creek is to take an abra (water
taxi).
Once you're acquainted with the city,
a trip into the desert is a must. Several local tour operators offer excursions,
ranging from camel rides to sand skiing to dune-buggy trips. If you have
the time, and the inclination, we recommend an overnight camping trip. |
·There
are several types of visas for visitors to Dubai.
·Nationals of "Israel" may not enter
the U.A.E.
·A penalty charge of Dh 100 per day in imposed on visitors
who overstay.
·For nationalities that require a sponsor, airlines may seek
confirmation that the sponsor is holding a valid visa for the incoming
visitor
AGCC Citizens
Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council member
states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa.
AGCC Residents
AGCC expatriate residents who meet certain conditions may
obtain a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival at the approved ports
of entry.
Citizens of Western Europe and Pacific Rim
Citizens of UK (with the right of abode in the United
Kingdom), France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland,
Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland,
Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein,
USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia,
South Korea, Hong Kong (holders of Hong Kong Certification of Identification
may not obtain any type of visa to enter the UAE) and UK Overseas Passport
Holders born in China or Hong Kong will be granted a free of charge visit
visa on arrival in the UAE. Currently, it has been decided to postpone
the implementation of the new regulation as far as Malta and Cyprus are
concerned. The visa enables them to stay for 60 days. The visa is renewable
for a total stay of 90 days for a fee of Dhs 500.
Entry Service Permit
An Entry Service Permit applies to the following categories
and their families accompanying them: company managers', representatives,
sales managers, account auditors, delegations from companies or establishments
to carry out a commercial activity in the UAE, enquirers requested by
any of the establishments/companies operating in the UAE assumed to carry
out an urgent task. Such visa is also availed to nationalities authorised
to obtain a tourist visa, as per the Ministerial Council's decision.
This visa is valid for use within 14 days from the date of issue.
The duration of stay is 14 days from date of entry, exclusive
of arrival and departure days. It is non-renewable.
In order to complete the application, the sponsor will require
the visitor's date of arrival and flight details, and a photocopy of the
first few pages of the visitor's passport which should be valid for at
least three months. There is a fee of Dhs 120 for obtaining Entry Service
Permit. There is also a fee of Dhs 10 for visa delivery service by DNATA.
Hotels, hotel apartments, tour operators, travel agents and airlines may
not levy supplementary charges or processing fees in excess of Dhs 50/-
for arranging visas for visitors.
The Entry Service Permit holder may enter and depart the U.A.E
through any airport
Visit Visas
The Visit Visa applies to tourists who wish to spend
more than 14 days in Dubai, those coming for family visits as well as
those on long term business visits.
It requires the sponsorship of any U.A.E. resident or any
company or hotel licensed to operate within the U.A.E.
This visa is valid for entry within two months from its date
of issue.
The Visit Visa is valid for 60 days and is renewable for
a total stay of upto 90 days. A fee of Dhs 500 is charged for this renewal.
In order to complete the application, the sponsor will require
the visitor's date of arrival and arrival details and a photocopy of the
first few pages of the visitor's passport which should be valid for at
least three months. There is a fee of Dhs 100 for obtaining a visit visa.
There is also a fee of Dhs 10 for visa delivery service by DNATA. Hotels,
hotel apartments, tour operators, travel agents and airlines may not levy
supplementary charges or processing fees in excess of Dhs 50/- for arranging
visas for visitors.
The Visit Visa holder may enter and leave the country through
any port of entry in the U.A.E.
Tourist Visas
A special category of visas under the Visit Visa type
is a Tourist Visa, which can be obtained for individual tourists from:
East and West Europe, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, Albania, Russia,
the Hellenic Republic, St Kitts-Navis, St Lucia, Mexico, Cuba, Bermuda,
Belize, Guyana, French Guiana, Martinique, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent,
Kingston, Palao other non-defined American nationalities, Thailand, South
Africa, Singapore, China, Malta, Cyprus.
The Tourist Visa entitles its holder to a 30 day stay and
is non-renewable. The Tourist Visa requires the sponsorship of hotels
and tour operators who bring in visitors from the above listed countries.
The fee is Dhs 100. There is also a fee of Dhs 10 for visa delivery service
by DNATA. Hotels, hotel apartments, tour operators, travel agents and
airlines may not levy supplementary charges or processing fees in excess
of Dhs 50/- for arranging visas for visitors
Multiple-Entry Visas
Multiple-entry Visas are availed to business visitors who
have a relationship with either a multinational or other reputable local
establishments, and who are frequent visitors to the UAE. This type of
visa is valid for six months from the date of issue and the duration of
each stay is 30 days. The validity is non-renewable. The cost of this
visa is Dh 1,000. The visitor must enter the UAE on a visit visa and obtain
the multiple entry visa while in the country. The visa would be stamped
on the passport.
German Citizens
German citizens (tourists and business people) may apply
to the UAE embassy in Germany for a one or two year multiple-entry visa.
No sponsor is required. The maximum duration of stay of visa holders should
not exceed three months a year. The visa fee is Dhs 1,500.
US Citizens
US citizens (tourists and business people) may apply to the
UAE embassies in the US for one to ten year multiple-entry visa. A sponsor
is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration
of stay should not exceed six months a visit.
Transit Visas
This is a special type of visa, which applies to passengers
passing through UAE airports. The passenger can obtain a visa for up to
96 hours. The travel document will be stamped with an entry seal. The
visa in only valid if the passenger is traveling onwards from Dubai to
another destination and not returning to the country of original departure.
There is no fee for this type of visa, which can be sponsored by any airline
operating in the UAE.
Streamlining Tourism Traffic between Dubai and Oman
Oman visitors (citizens of European Union countries,
Scandinavia, America, Canada, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand,
South Korea, Taiwan, China, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland,
Indonesia and Iceland) can enter Dubai as a tourist group or individual
through Hatta (by obtaining "Tourist Entry Permit"). Visitors
can stay 30 days in Dubai from date of entry. Visa is free, non-renewable
and no sponsor is required. Application is filled up through hotel or
tour operator.
Dubai visitors (citizens of European countries, former Soviet
Union, America, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa,
Singapore, Malaysia and China) can visit Oman as a tourist group or individual
through Al Seeb International Airport or Al Wajaja Centre (by obtaining
"Tourist Joint Visa Statement"). Visitors can stay in Oman for
3 weeks. Visa is renewable for additional one-week stay, free and no sponsor
is required. Application is filled up through hotel or tour operator.
Health requirements: No health certificates are required
for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as
health restrictions may vary depending upon the situation at the time.
Customs Duty-free allowances: cigarettes - 2,000; cigars -
400; tobacco - 2kg; alcohol (non-Muslim adults only) - 2 litres of spirits
and 2 litres of wine; perfume - a reasonable amount. No customs duty is
levied on personal effects entering Dubai. Dubai Duty Free has a sales
outlet in the Arrivals Hall. |
