Wednesday, 8 August 2012

Dubai Visa - The What, Where, and How


Dubai has become a magnet attracting shoppers, holiday makers, tourists, business persons and job seekers alike, in droves. Not without reason. It has acquired a much envied status in the world, of the most happening destination. Other positive adjectives are also frequently used to describe this vibrant and dynamic city, like, zero crime rate city, fastest growing tourism destination, city of skyscrapers, city of gold, city of dreams, the new land of the rising sun, and lots more...
Dubai is attracting people from over 200 countries, for various purposes as described above. Obviously then, a Dubai Visa must be in great demand! You bet it is. I present below a guide to the different types of Dubai Visas, Dubai Visa Requirements, Tips to remember, & Important Do's and Don'ts. I recommend you to read these carefully before proceeding ahead in your quest to obtain a Dubai Visa.
Always use your judgment. Follow the rules and regulations of the United Arab Emirates government in regards to obtaining a Visa. Please always apply with the registered agents.
Types of Dubai Visa
Entry Permit on Arrival:
Passport holders of the following countries can get free entry permit on arrival valid for 30 days:
  • Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) country citizens viz. Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, entering the UAE with valid passports.
  • Resident visa holders from Arab Gulf Co-operation Council (AGCC) countries (certain designations only like businessmen, company managers and representatives, auditors, accountants, doctors, engineers or employees working in the public sector, their family members and drivers and servants sponsored by them are eligible for this visa.)
  • Passport holders of 34 countries viz.
  • France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
This permit is renewable for 30 more days. The above country citizens are also exempt from the refundable deposit and health insurance rules.
Visit Visa:
  • Dubai residents can apply for a 30 or 90 day non-renewable visit visa for a spouse or blood relatives. The Dubai Visa applicant has to pay AED 1000 refundable deposit and show proof of health insurance.
  • Emiratis are allowed to sponsor friends on visit visas with approval from the authorities.
  • Foreign wives of GCC citizens can obtain a Dubai visit visa if she holds a residence visa in the home country of her husband.
Tourist Visa:
All nationalities can enter the UAE on a Tourist Visa. Tourist visas for 30 days, renewable once for 30 days, can only be applied for through a licensed hotel, travel or tourism agency. Tourists must be covered by health insurance.
Student Visa:
Student Visas are issued for 60 days and can be renewed twice for a similar period. Students must be registered in one of the universities in the UAE and must obtain health insurance.
Multiple Entry Visa:
A Dubai Visa for Business travelers who are frequent visitors to the UAE and who have a relationship with a reputable company here can obtain a multiple entry visa. This is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. However, each visit must not exceed 14 days.
Visa for Expos & Conferences:
A Dubai Visa to attend conferences, exhibitions or festivals can be obtained for a 30-day period. It is non - renewable.
Mission Visa:
A Dubai Visa for the purpose of temporary work in UAE can be obtained for a max of 180 days. It can be renewed for another 180 days. An applicant must obtain the permit from the Labour Ministry to get the visa.
Transit Visa:
A Dubai Visa is issued to travelers transiting through UAE airports. It is issued for 96 hours and must be sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE. The visitor must have a valid ticket for onward flight.
Citizens of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger and Yemen are not eligible for the 96 hours visa on arrival.
Emirates Airlines handles the service for their travelers. However, for those flying with other Airlines, have to contact Marhaba Services for any transit visa.
Residence Visa:
A Residence Visa is issued to those who intend to reside indefinitely with a person who is already a resident. It is issued to the immediate kin of a resident for 3 years. The residence visa becomes invalid if the resident remains out of the UAE for more than six months at a time.
Investor Visa:
A Dubai Visa is issued to expatriate investors entering in partnership deals with locals, for a period of 3 years. The foreign investor must hold a minimum stake of AED 70,000 in the share capital.
Employment Visa:
A Dubai Visa is issued to Employees of a company in the UAE, by the Immigration Department to a foreign national upon the approval of the Ministry of Labour. When the employee has entered UAE on the basis of the employment visa, the sponsor company arranges to transfer this visa to a residence visa.
Dubai Visa Requirements:
  • Passport and 2 photocopies
  • 4 photographs
  • Duplicate application form
  • Letter or fax from the sponsor in the UAE to the concerned embassy
  • Letter from the applicant's company plus photocopy
Important Tips:
  • A sponsor requires 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.
  • German citizens can get a 1 or 2 year multiple-entry visa from the UAE Embassy in Germany. Sponsor not required. Max duration of stay cannot exceed 3 months a year.
  • US citizens can get a 1 to 10 year multiple-entry visa (Free) from the UAE Embassy in USA. Sponsor is required. Max duration of stay cannot exceed 6 months a visit.
  • UK citizens can get a 1 to 2 year multiple-entry visa (Free) from the UAE Embassy in Great Britain. Sponsor is required. Max duration of stay cannot exceed 6 months a visit.
Do's and Don'ts:
  • The various types of Dubai Visa are valid for a period of between 14 to 60 days from the issue date. The person has to enter the country before this period, else the visa expires.
  • If a Dubai Visa is valid for 30 days, that does not convert to 1 month, as 1 month can consist of 31 days too. An extra day in this case can cost you AED 100 as fine.
  • Earlier, people used to come to Dubai on a visit visa, search for and secure a job, then as per rule had to leave the country, and re-enter with an employment visa sponsored by their company. There were flights scheduled to take you to Kish Island and back. This has now been abolished as you can change your visit visa to employment by paying AED 500.
NOTE: Dubai Visas can be sponsored by a travel agency, hotel, a company or department with which you are doing business in the UAE, an Emirati, or an expatriate individual (eg. a relative or friend resident in the UAE).
Receive competitive price quotes from the leading Dubai Visa Services Providers. Genuine, & authorised by the UAE government. You can then obtain a Dubai Visa from the one that suits you best.
Shabbir Kagalwala
A couple shares their passion and real-life experiences for the beautiful city of Dubai. Dubai has been, is and will be FOREVER!


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Dubai 4 Star Hotels


Dubai is a hub of luxury hotels and there are many 3 star, 4 star and 5 star hotels, located in the beach areas as well as other strategic areas of Dubai. The 4 star hotels in Dubai are world class luxury hotels, offer facilities like swimming pools, Babysitting/child care, Air-conditioned public areas, private parking, Airport transportation, 24-hour front desk, Exhibit space, Banquet facilities, Room service (24 hours), Health club, Secretarial services, Arcade/game room, Beauty services, Medical assistance, Laundry facilities, Hair salon, Internet access in public areas, Tour assistance, Meeting rooms and much more.
Cost livings in Dubai 4 star hotels are not just the same, it depends on the particular hotel and the quality of their services. Here are a few of 4 star hotels in Dubai:
The Four Points By Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai: This hotel is located 2 Kilometers from the Lamcy Plaza Shopping Mall And 4 Kilometers From Jumeirah Beach. Dubai airport is just 8 kilometer away. This hotel is 43-Storey Building with Swimming Pool, Health Club Offering Panoramic Views etc. it offers almost all the facilities mentioned above.
JW Marriott Hotel Dubai: This 4 star hotel, located in Downtown Dubai, typifies the Impressive Modern Architecture of the Area, with Its Gleaming Glass Façade Leading into the Marble Atrium Lobby. The Dubai international airport is just 4 Kilometers away, other places like the Waterfront, The Dubai Museum etc are 3 and 6 Kilometers away consecutively.
Novotel World Trade Centre: this is a contemporary 13-Storey Tower-block Hotel, opened in 2003, Located in the Dubai International Exhibition and just 4 Kilometers away from Dubai Museum. The hotel is offering all the facilities mentioned above. It has 412 Guestrooms which are fully decorated in Subtle Beige tones with Contemporary Furnishings.
Metropolitan Hotel Deira: This 4 star hotel is located In the City Centre of Dubai, the airport is just 3 Kilometers away. The nearest attractions areas are Gold and Spice Soukh, Dubai Creek, Deira City Center Shopping Mall, Creek Park, Dubai Museum, Dubai Tennis Stadium, Grand Mosque, The Dubai Heritage Village, Burj Khalifa, Wild Wadi Water Park Mall Of The Emirates etc.
Metropolitan Hotel Dubai: This lovely hotel is located on the Main Business Artery, Sheikh Zayed Road and surrounded by a Garden Oasis. The guestrooms of this hotel are decorated in Rich tones and Dark-wood Furnishings which gives it an attractive look. The nearest attractions places are Safa Park, Burj Khalifa, Souk Al Bahar, Burj Dubai Fountains, Jumeira Beach and Park, Dubai Mall, Dubai International Convention And Exhibition Centre, Mall Of The Emirates, Dubai Museum etc.
Other 4 star hotels are including Dubai grand hotel, Hatta Fort Hotel, Pearl Residence, seaview hotel Dubai, Arabian Courtyard Hotel, Residence Deira By Le Meridien, Al Khaleej Palace Hotel etc. We hope this article helps you in finding the best and the most suitable 4 star hotel in Dubai for your short stay.
For more detail Please check out Dubai 4 Star Hotels or Dubai Hotels, Apartments for rent in Dubai


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Dubai Gets a New Lease of Life


In a landmark development, Abu Dhabi announced a fresh infusion of US$ 10 billion to the government of Dubai thereby averting the possibility of a sovereign default. Holders of an Islamic bond that was backed by a sovereign guarantee were demanding repayment and Dubai was on the verge of reneging on its commitment if Abu Dhabi had not intervened and saved Dubai from the brink of a financial disaster. The incident, for sure, has sent a scare in the global financial markets weakening Dubai's credibility as an investment destination.
Dubai, the holiday destination of choice for millions of vacationers all across the world suffers from a systemic problem. It can no longer fund its ambition of being an 'international metropolis' only through oil revenues. It therefore, relies heavily on debt to achieve its objectives and has put itself in a precarious position. To pull itself out of such a shaky position, it badly needs to reschedule its debts with immediate effect. Debt rescheduling is critical for Dubai as it needs low cost credit to emerge out of the slump that has plagued its economy for over a year now.
Analysts closely observing the Middle-East financial market point out that Dubai's present problems arise of its Government's warped attitude towards international creditors. Though it is very easy to start a business in Dubai, closing it down is virtually impossible as Dubai has enacted laws that are heavily biased in favour of debtors. According to World Bank estimates there is only a ten percent chance of a creditor recovering his dues from Dubai's bankrupt companies.
The Government of Dubai needs to put in place a system that weeds out the bad apples from the barrel and rewards companies with strong corporate governance mechanisms by providing them easy access to low cost capital. Unless these systemic flaws are corrected and strong fiscal and monetary policies implemented which minimize the impact of economic uncertainties, Dubai will not be spared from the debilitating effects of another economic recession that might lead to a sovereign default by the Government of Dubai.
However, some industry analysts point out that in case of a sovereign default by the Emirate of Dubai in the near future; the impact of such a collapse will however be limited as Dubai combined GDP makes up only 0.1% of the global economy. If you are planning a holiday to dubai this year then be prepared to witness empty buildings and suspended construction projects-most notably 'The World' an archipelago of man-made islands that was for some critics, nothing but an exercise in ostentation.
However Dubai's worsening financial situation hasn't in any way reduced its allure amongst vacationers who are always on the lookout for cheap and exciting holiday deals to Dubai during the November to March season that is perhaps the best time to visit Dubai.
In spite of all these handicaps Dubai continues to attract millions of visitors each year who come to explore this exciting city state in the heart of the Arabian desert that offers deserts, beaches, mountains and artificial ski-resorts to those looking for a fun-filled holiday.
For More details about cheap holidays dubai, holidays to dubai, holidays in Dubai, holidays dubai, holiday for dubai visit our site http://www.awayholidays.co.uk/dubai/.


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Opportunities in Dubai's Hotel Industry



True to the vision of the ruler and Government of Dubai, this tiny emirate has been transformed from a sleepy fishing village to one of the most robust metropolitan cities on the planet. A lot of people come to Dubai to live and work and that is what the hotel industry depends upon.
A steady influx of people is the best indicator that the tourism, entertainment and hotel industry can have. Having little or no oil resources of its own, Dubai has largely depended on travel and tourism to spur its growth. Other than that, the city has built itself into a viable offshore location for regional and international business conferences. It has the infrastructure and style to support the needs of the best international customers.
The Government's move to allow freehold properties in 2002 has reaped benefits for Dubai's economy. It has catapulted this once little known desert land into worldwide prominence, as foreign investors from all over the world converged on Dubai to set up businesses and projects of every description and style. Donald Trump, Gary Rhodes and a host of other well known celebrities from all over the world have come to set their mark of elegance on the shores of Dubai.
Among Dubai's well known projects are (1) the Dubai Marina, the world's largest man made marina; (2) the three Palm Islands at Jumeirah, Deira and Jebel Ali, made from reclaimed land; and (3) the World, another sea based project in the middle of the water. As if that was not all, Dubai has constantly relished a taste for the largest, the biggest and the best, courtesy of its planners and developers. It's no wonder that many think that Dubai has over extended itself and got into a repayment crisis and a credit crunch. While it is true that some of it was triggered by the worldwide recession, Dubai cannot totally absolve itself of the blame.
With some of the world's best restaurants and hotel groups located in its marina area or elsewhere along the length and breadth of this magnificent landscape, Dubai is growing into one of the world's most well known travel destinations. Dubai is home to the Burj-ul-Arab, the world's only seven- star hotel. Another planned project, the Asia-Asia with 6,500 rooms is set to put it on the world map as having one of the largest hotels in the world. It's no wonder that jobs at hotels in Dubai represent a large share of the worldwide hotel industry.
Most of the Dubai hotels booking these days are coming from the many new Dubai hotels being built along hotel marina Dubai and on the three island properties - the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira. At one point, the Atlantis Hotel sought to hire up to 8,000 hotel employees. The Palazzo Versace Hotel, the Giorgio Armani Hotel and the Jumeirah Hotel chain are other well known hotels doing business here.
No doubt the hotel industry is temporarily in a crisis because of the property bust having its effect, but it is hoped that Dubai will recover soon. The planned expansion of Dubai theme parks labeled 'Dubailand' and Las Vegas style resorts offer other opportunities for those connected with the hotel industry.
David Martin is a respected, well read columnist in Dubai and considered an expert on the economy and issues connected with living and working in the emirate. Expatriates like to quote him on everything from Dubai property to how to live the lavish lifestyle and be part of the nightlife that Dubai has to offer, otherwise considered the prerogative of the wealthy and knowledgeable.
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Choose Dubai For a Fascinating Vacation Experience


What's your idea of a vacation? Is it just locking yourself away in your room while being away from the kids, the stress of the workplace and all those mundane responsibilities? Or do you want to escape to where you are simply untraceable while having the time of your life? If you are looking for a really special destination where you can indulge in your taste for top-quality hotels, fine dining, great shopping, world-class golf and state-of-the-art spas, a holiday in Dubai would do just fine for you. With a fascinating heritage to explore and a range of exciting activities to indulge in, this curious and exciting place has just about everything. With miles of lovely beaches and year-round sunshine, Dubai is a new destination just waiting to be discovered.
If you have decided on Dubai as a holiday destination, get ready to discover one of the world's most energetic cities. The incredible blend of ancient and modern creates a unique environment that is full of surprises. The huge investment in Dubai property development has transformed the terrain from a desert land to a city of shining skyscrapers. A visit to Dubai provides a first-hand glimpse into a modern-day success story at the same time giving you an experience of truly luxurious living.
Shopping is an inherent and inevitable part of the whole experience of Dubai. You can find deals whether you prefer bargaining in the marketplace or taking advantage of the incredible tax-free prices in the shops. The whole city is bustling with growth. Transformed from a tiny fishing village into a modern city, Dubai now boasts some incredible avant-garde architecture and a thriving commercial sector. Holidays in Dubai are however a great opportunity to unwind and relax. The combination of relaxing resorts with the warm waters of the Persian Gulf makes it a great place to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
You can view the world's tallest tower- the Burj Dubai or the Burj Khalifa as it is now called. Or visit or stay at the world's only seven star hotel. Among the most talked about projects in Dubai are the Palms and the Dubai World Islands. The Palms comprise three of the largest man made islands on earth. Each is in the shape of a palm tree, being created off Dubai's coastline. The Palm Jumeirah opened in 2008. However the Palm Jebel Ali and the Palm Deira are still under construction. The Dubai World Islands comprise almost 300 manmade islands built to resemble a map of the world. It has been built so that it can be accessed by boat or helicopter. This project is also still under construction.
There really is no shortage of hotels to stay in Dubai. Dubai hotels are known for their opulence and lavishness. However many of them have a tendency to overcharge the unsuspecting customer. That is why you must be wary when booking hotels in Dubai. If you really want the best, we recommend hotel marina Dubai experiences. You can contact us for all your Dubai hotels booking needs.

David Martin is a respected, well read columnist in Dubai and considered an expert on the economy and issues connected with living and working in the emirate. Expatriates like to quote him on everything from Dubai property for rent to how to live the lavish lifestyle and be part of the nightlife that Dubai has to offer, otherwise considered the prerogative of the wealthy and knowledgeable.
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