GoUnited Arab Emirates Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 The main types of visas in the United Arab Emirates include tourist visas, visitor visas, work visas, study visas, family visas, etc.

The stay period for tourist and visiting visas is 30 days. Starting from January 16, 2018, the mutual visa exemption arrangement between the Chinese government and the UAE government officially came into effect. Chinese citizens holding diplomatic passports, official passports, official ordinary passports, and ordinary passports can enter the UAE for tourism, visits, family visits, business, transit, etc. without a visa for 30 days, and can apply for a paid renewal at the UAE immigration department. For activities that require prior approval from the competent authorities of the United Arab Emirates, such as work, settlement, and news reporting, relevant procedures should be completed before entry.

A work visa must be processed by a local employer in the United Arab Emirates and is valid for entry within 60 days of issuance. Upon entry, one must undergo a medical examination at a government designated hospital and obtain medical insurance. After obtaining a certificate of passing the examination, one must apply for a residence visa at the labor and immigration department.

The study visa and family visa are valid for entry within 60 days after issuance. Upon entry, one must go to a government designated hospital for a physical examination and apply for medical insurance. After obtaining a certificate of passing the physical examination, one can apply for a residence visa at the immigration department.

The duration of a long-term residence visa is generally 2 years, and can be renewed upon expiration.

Special reminder: Using the UAE visa free policy to enter and work is a serious illegal act, which will result in legal sanctions such as imprisonment, high fines, and deportation. Chinese citizens are advised not to enter the UAE for illegal work without a visa under the guise of tourism or visiting. If you plan to work in A, you should fully understand the nature and content of the job, choose a qualified enterprise for foreign labor cooperation, sign a written contract, and apply for a legal work visa.

2、 Entry and exit

Upon entry, it is necessary to undergo IRIS Scanning (commonly known as "eye scanning"), and those who pass the test will be granted entry permits. After verifying the accuracy of the passport and entry visa, the border inspection officer stamps the entry seal on the passport and then releases it for entry. It is necessary to ensure that one leaves the country within the prescribed stay period on the visa, otherwise a fine will be imposed. The fine for overstaying visit, tourism, and residence visas is 50 dirhams per day, calculated from 10 days after the visa is overdue; When leaving the country, stamp the exit seal on the passport and release the passenger (self-service clearance passengers do not have an exit seal). In case of questioning and investigation by border inspection officials or law enforcement officers, please cooperate actively to avoid disputes with law enforcement officers and unnecessary trouble. Do not use mobile phones or cameras to record police law enforcement activities.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Passengers are strictly prohibited from carrying prohibited items such as drugs, weapons, controlled knives, counterfeit currency, narcotics, ivory, rhino horn, plants and soil, pornography, gambling tools, or items that require special approval upon entry. The United Arab Emirates has strict control over psychotropic drugs,

Be cautious when bringing drugs into the country and bring the original prescription. It is recommended to consult with the Embassy of Afghanistan in China in advance or log in to the relevant government website of Afghanistan to confirm whether it is possible to carry relevant drugs.

According to the regulations of Abu Dhabi Customs, each inbound passenger can carry 4 liters of spirits or 2 boxes of beer (24 cans per box, no more than 355 ml per can), gifts (including perfume) with a value of no more than 2000 dirhams or 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco, and a value of no more than 3000 dirhams. Passengers from cholera and contaminated areas are prohibited from carrying vegetables, fruits, and cultured pearls. Passengers carrying more than 60000 dirhams in cash or equivalent currency products entering or leaving the country need to declare.

The United Arab Emirates attaches great importance to protecting intellectual property rights and does not bring pirated CDs when entering the country.

When handling customs import and export procedures for goods, the required documents must be provided: bill of lading, packing list, commercial invoice, import and export license, certificate of origin, copy of business license, letter of authorization, tax receipt or tax exemption certificate.

The specific requirements of each Emirate in the United Arab Emirates may vary. Please refer to the relevant regulations published on the customs websites of each Emirate, or call to inquire. Abu Dhabi Customs hotline: 00971-2-8102000800555 (toll free); Dubai Customs hotline: 00971-4-4177777780080080 (24-hour hotline).

Residency and Naturalization

The naturalization policy of the United Arab Emirates is extremely strict, and it is difficult for foreigners to obtain Arab nationality. The main provisions of the Nationality Law are as follows:

1、 Foreign women who marry UAE male nationals cannot obtain UAE citizenship with their husbands unless they apply for citizenship to the Ministry of Interior and the marriage relationship has been in place for more than three years from the date of application, and requires approval from the Minister of Interior. A wife who has obtained nationality may retain her nationality after her husband's death, except in the following two situations: when the wife marries a foreigner again; Restore their original nationality or acquire citizenship of another country. Regardless of the circumstances, foreign men who marry UAE women are unable to obtain UAE citizenship.

2、 Any individual with full legal capacity who has resided in the United Arab Emirates continuously and legally for no less than thirty years, or for no less than twenty years after the entry into force of the Nationality Law (1972), and who has lawfully earned a living in the UAE, has good conduct, no criminal record, and is proficient in Arabic, may be granted UAE citizenship.

3、 For those who have made special contributions to the United Arab Emirates, they are not subject to the residency period restrictions mentioned above and can be granted UAE citizenship.

4、 The requirements regarding nationality matters are submitted to the Minister of the Interior, who entrusts an advisory committee established by him to study them. The committee is composed of respected local citizens from each emirate. The committee will submit its handling opinions to the Minister of the Interior.

5、 The Minister of Interior proposes and obtains the approval of the UAE Cabinet to grant citizenship.

The risk level of the United Arab Emirates is blue (low risk).

public security

Overall, the UAE has a stable political situation and good social security. However, in recent years, due to the increase in migrant population and high mobility, theft, robbery and other cases have also occasionally occurred. It is recommended to travel cautiously to densely populated areas and avoid going out alone at night. Separate important documents and belongings such as passports and ID cards for storage. The holder should indicate their contact information on the emergency information page of their passport and prepare a copy of their passport in advance for future use. Do not show off wealth in public places, avoid separating people and bags, do not carry large amounts of cash with you, and do not leave valuable items in the vehicle when leaving. To prevent theft crimes on board, it is recommended to carefully check the valuable items and documents carried with you before opening the aircraft landing door. If any loss is found, report it to the crew immediately.

natural disaster

Almost no natural disasters. But it belongs to a tropical desert climate, often with strong winds or sandstorms, and occasional heavy fog in winter.

FDA

The inspection and quarantine system is strict, and the government often inspects restaurants and supermarkets. The food hygiene condition is good.

Urgent Help

Ambulance: 998 or 999.

Fire alarm: 997.

Bandit police: 999.

air traffic

China International Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Emirates Airlines, and others have all opened regular domestic flights to Dubai, including round-trip routes from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan, Kunming, Yinchuan, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Urumqi, Qingdao to Dubai. Etihad Airways currently has direct round-trip flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou to Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Emirates Airlines have respectively launched round-trip flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Hong Kong. Detailed information about specific flights can be found on the relevant company website.

Passengers can drive or take a taxi to the airport, and Dubai International Airport can be reached by light rail. There are commuter buses operating between Abu Dhabi International Airport and Dubai International Airport. Please consult the airline for details.

land transport

The UAE has a well-developed road network, good road conditions, and convenient land transportation. There are highways connecting the seven emirates. There are two-way highways connecting Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. The main modes of transportation in the UAE are private cars, taxis, and long-distance buses. In the United Arab Emirates, private cars or taxis are the main means of transportation, with wide roads and fast speeds. When traveling, one should carry a driver's license, strictly abide by traffic rules, strictly prohibit speeding, maintain a safe distance between vehicles, do not park at will, and avoid fatigue driving or drunk driving. When driving, it is necessary to wear a seat belt and the use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited. If you need to use a mobile phone, you must use a phone headset. If a traffic accident occurs, call 999 immediately to report to the police; If it is a minor accident that does not involve casualties, please move the vehicle to the roadside to avoid being fined for obstructing traffic. When pedestrians cross the road, they should carefully read the traffic signals and follow the traffic rules of "stop at red lights, go at green lights".

Starting from March 14, 2016, the Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Recognition and Replacement of Driver's Licenses between China and Arab countries officially came into effect. According to the memorandum of understanding, both the People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates recognize each other's valid driving licenses. Chinese small car (C1) and small automatic transmission car (C2) driving licenses and UAE light car driving licenses can be exchanged without examination. For Chinese citizens who reside in the United Arab Emirates for a long time and obtain a residence visa, they can apply for a UAE driver's license without taking a test with their Chinese driver's license; Short term stays can be used directly within the UAE with a Chinese driver's license during the visa validity period, without the need to renew the license.

transportation by land and water

The United Arab Emirates is an important transportation hub in the Middle East region. The transportation networks of highways, aviation, and oceans are highly developed. The United Arab Emirates has 12 modern ports with over 310 berths; Among them, 9 ports have container freight terminals with advanced warehousing and other facilities. The larger ports include Jebel Ali Port, Zayed Port, Khalifa Port, Khor Fukan Port, Shakui Port, Fujairah Port, and so on.

Urban transportation

Private cars are the main mode of transportation in Abu Dhabi, with fast speeds; The city's public transportation is not very developed, but taking a taxi is more convenient.

Dubai has well-developed public transportation, with 107 bus routes including intra city, express, and dedicated lines, covering an area of 4110 square kilometers. In addition, there are long-distance buses to six other emirates. Dubai opened its light rail system in October 2009, divided into the "Red Line" and "Green Line", with a total length of 74.6 kilometers and 49 stations, running through the main bustling areas of the city. Due to the requirements of the 2020 World Expo supporting project, the subway service between Ibn Battuta station and Jumeirah Lakes Towers station on the Dubai Metro Red Line has been suspended since January 2018. The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority provides regular free express buses for passengers between two stations during subway service hours.

major city

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi covers an area of 67340 square kilometers, with the capital Abu Dhabi being a new type of peninsula city developed after 1971, with an area of 972 square kilometers. The city is lined with high-rise buildings, shaded by green trees, and the streets are wide and tidy. Multiple parks and city gardens, modern shopping centers, star rated hotels, Zayed Sports City, folk villages, oil exhibition halls, beach swimming pools have been built in the city, while some traditional castle style buildings have been preserved, and mosques have been built in various residential areas. The combination of tradition and modernity makes it a charming modern city, with major attractions including the Zayed Grand Mosque, the Palace of Homeland, the Emirates Palace Hotel, Ferrari World Theme Park, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi Branch. Abu Dhabi has a hot season (summer) from May to late September, with temperatures exceeding 45 ° C. The cool season (winter) is from December to mid March, with mild climate and occasional rainfall. The daily average temperature is 25 ° C.

The Emirate of Dubai covers an area of 4114 square kilometers. After years of effort, Dubai's economic development model has shifted from relying solely on oil to focusing on the development of the tertiary industry, and has now become a regional hub for shipping, trade, tourism, exhibitions, and finance. The main attractions include the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa, the world's largest artificial island, Palm Island, as well as famous landmarks such as the Sailor Hotel, Atlantis Hotel, and Dubai Photo Frame.

The Emirate of Sharjah covers an area of 2590 square kilometers. The government attaches great importance to the development of culture and education, with higher education institutions such as the American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah, as well as cultural facilities such as the Sharjah Museum.

Commodity prices

Main products: mainly producing oil and natural gas. Most agricultural products, except for dates and a small amount of vegetables and fruits, need to be imported.

Price situation: The UAE has abundant supply of daily necessities, and commonly used items can be purchased in supermarkets. Local prices are relatively high, especially for rent, communication, dining out, and agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits, which are more expensive than in China.

Taxation: To encourage trade, the United Arab Emirates adheres to a low tax policy. The main tax categories are import tariffs, consumption taxes, and value-added taxes. Starting from January 1st, 2018, the Afghan government began to levy a 5% value-added tax.

Payment method: Cash payment is the main method, and credit cards with "VISA" and "MASTER" logos, as well as personal checks issued by local banks, can be used. Some merchants accept UnionPay card consumption. Tourists can use Alipay and WeChat payment in some commercial institutions such as Dubai Shopping Center and airport duty-free shops.

Banking and financial services: In recent years, the United Arab Emirates has gradually opened up its market to foreign banks, with Citibank, HSBC, and others opening branches in the country. Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and Agricultural Bank of China have also established branches in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Special reminder: According to legal regulations, only financial institutions holding a remittance license issued by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates are allowed to handle remittance business. Please enhance the risk awareness of the remitter and do not handle deposit and remittance transactions through underground banks for the sake of small profits, in order to avoid unnecessary losses. Do not exchange foreign currency at merchants or individuals with unknown origins or incomplete licenses. When exchanging currency at a bank or exchange point, staff should be required to count all banknotes correctly on the cash detector and keep relevant credentials.

Insurance Medical

The United Arab Emirates is one of the Gulf countries that introduced modern medicine earlier, with a well-established medical system and advanced hospital facilities. Citizens of this country enjoy free medical care in public hospitals, while foreign residents living in Afghanistan can apply for medical insurance cards from insurance companies. With the card, they can enjoy partial fee reductions for medical treatment. UAE hospitals provide emergency treatment to all emergency patients, including foreign tourists and laborers.

Due to the high temperature and heat, it is necessary to pay attention to preventing "air conditioning sickness" and colds when staying in air-conditioned rooms for a long time.

Main hospitals and commonly used contact information:

Medical emergency hotline: 998 or 999.

Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Khalifa Hospital：092097777； Mediclinic Hospital: 8001999.

Dubai: Rashid Hospital: 04-2192000; Iranian hospital: 04-3440250.

Customs taboos

UAE law explicitly prohibits taking photos of government agencies, royal palaces, military security sites, foreign embassies and consulates, airports, ports, and other facilities. Violators will be subject to severe penalties such as detention, high fines, and deportation. Please pay close attention to warning signs such as "No Photography" and "No Entry" when going out to avoid taking pictures or entering by mistake. Respect others' privacy and do not take photos of others without their consent.

As an Islamic country, the United Arab Emirates has strict restrictions on pork containing food and alcoholic beverages. Foreigners can buy alcohol and drink in designated hotels and stores. Muslims are required to worship five times a day, whether in the office, at home, or on a plane. Worship is a very serious matter, and others are not allowed to talk to them, let alone make jokes. During Ramadan, drinking water, smoking, and eating are prohibited in public places and on the streets from sunrise to sunset.

Arabs consider their left hand to be unclean, so they should use their right hand to pick up and drop off items. Large items can be delivered with both hands.

Large scale events usually separate men and women. If an Arab woman is present, it is generally not advisable to shake hands with a man. The man should nod and smile to greet her, and not appear too enthusiastic. If a lady extends her hand voluntarily, she can shake hands with her. During the event, men and women can talk.

Communications Power

There are two major telecommunications operators in the United Arab Emirates, Etisalat and Du, as well as Virgin Mobile, which only provides mobile communication services. A mobile SIM card can be purchased with a passport or valid identification document. Mobile phones are compatible with 2, 3, and 4G standards (similar to China Unicom's standards). Domestic mobile phones can be used directly.

Within the same Emirate in the United Arab Emirates, landline phones only require dialing the recipient's number. To call from one emirate to another, you need to dial the area code. The area code for Abu Dhabi is 02, and the area code for Dubai is 04. The international area code for the United Arab Emirates is 00971. To call from another country, you need to first dial the international area code, region code, and the other party's phone number.

The United Arab Emirates has developed Internet. Hotels and residential buildings generally have Internet, and there is wireless network coverage in shopping malls, airports, etc.

The voltage in the UAE is 220 volts, and domestic appliances can be used directly. The plug is a British three hole flat type or a two hole round foot type, depending on the building.

contact information