Visa order information United Arab Emirates (AE)

OBTAINING A VISA THROUGH A SPONSOR IN THE UAE

The Embassy of The UAE provides limited issuing service for visas. Primarily, it concerns visits of an official nature or certain types of business. Therefore, visas for general visits (including passengers in transit wishing to leave the transit area) are arranged through a sponsor in the UAE. Most major hotels are able to sponsor and arrange visas; however, the service should be requested well in advance. Some visitors have their visas arranged through companies with which they have contacts, or relatives resident in the UAE.

IMPORTANT: The visa confirmation MUST be obtained before departure.

The procedure for arranging visas through a sponsor in the UAE is a well-established one and has been exercised for many years now. The process of arranging visas in this way takes between one and five days. (Extra time should be added in case of UAE public holidays.)

Sponsorship means an invitation for the visit and therefore the acceptance of a measure of responsibility for the visitor during his/her stay.

This method of arranging visas is appropriate for tourist visitors intending to stay at a hotel (including travellers on stopover visits for a day or two) and those wishing to visit their relatives or friends in the UAE. It is also suitable for business travellers who may find it inconvenient to make application to the Brussels Embassy in person.

SPONSOR: The sponsor may be any individual resident or corporqtion based in the UAE. The categories of sponsors may be rendered as follows:
- A business contact at whose invitation the visit is being made;
- A relative working or resident in the UAE;
- A hotel at which the applicant has made a reservation ( Travel agencies are in a position to arrange visas through hotels as well.)

PROCEDURE
1- The applicant’s particulars (copy of the passport showing photo and validity details) are sent to the sponsor at least five days prior to the planned travel date.
2- The sponsor makes the application to the immigration authority in the Emirate of residence. When the visa/entry permit is approved it is then forwarded to the immigration at the airport of visitor’s arrival.
3- The sponsor confirms to the visitor that the visa has been arranged (usually by sending a fax copy), and that he/she will be met at the airport on arrival.