Tips, documentation and requirements to travel to Dubai

If you want to visit Dubai, you must take into account the immigration requirements of this territory, which is located in the United Arab Emirates. Depending on the nationality of the traveler, the required papers vary. Additionally, there are several tips and considerations that are important to keep in mind.

Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.

Required Documentation

The documents needed to go to Dubai depend on the nationality of the visitor and the reason for the trip.

For tourists

Citizens of some countries do not need to apply for a visa to travel to Dubai, as long as they do so for tourism. To do this, they will need a passport with a minimum validity of six months and a round trip ticket.

The maximum period of stay is 30 days, which can be renewed once a fee has been paid. The territories that have this privilege are the following:

• A: Germany, Andorra, Australia, Austria
• B: Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria
• C: Canada, China, Cyprus, Vatican City, South Korea, Croatia
• D: Denmark
• E: Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United States (USA), Estonia
• F: Finland, France
• G: Greece
• H: Hong Kong, Hungary
• I: Ireland, Iceland, Italy
• J: Japan
• L: Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg
• M: Malaysia, Malta, Monaco
• N: Norway, New Zealand
• P: Netherlands, Poland, Portugal
• Q: Qatari
• R: UK, Czech Republic, Romania
• S: San Marino, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland

Therefore, people with a nationality other than those already named they do need a visa to enter Dubai. Among these countries we find the following:

• A: Argentina
• C: Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba
• E: Ecuador, El Salvador
• G: Guatemalan
• H: Honduran
• M: Mexico
• N: Nicaraguan
• P: Panama, Peru
• R: Dominican Republic
• SSanto Domingo
• U: Uruguay
• V: Venezuela

In this case, it is recommended that your hotel or travel agency (sponsor) manage the visa. If you want to do it personally, you need the following documents:

• Passport valid for at least six months and two blank pages
• Color copy of the first page and the cover of the passport
• Payment of the corresponding fee
• Completed and signed application, plus two copies of it
• Two color photos
• Copy of flight ticket and hotel reservation
• Presentation letter
• Invitation letter from a sponsor from the country (family member, friend, company ...)

To work

It is possible to go to Dubai to live and work. Most of the positions on offer are for specialized and qualified individuals. In addition, an essential requirement is knowing how to speak English.

In the event that a company in this territory hires you, it is this that must request the work visa from the Ministry of Employment. Once accepted, the entry permit is formalized.

One option is to be hired as a military. For this, it is necessary to have all the relevant courses for the position, as well as to present the resume. There are different agencies that are in charge of recruiting these people.

Vaccines and other health requirements

To travel to Dubai, no vaccination is mandatory. However, it is recommended to have the following vaccination in order, which is usually administered regularly in most countries:

• Typhoid fever
• Flu
• Hepatitis
• Tetanus
• Triple viral

There are some medications that are prohibited in this emirate, among which are diazepam, codeine and tramadol. At the embassy they can inform you about the complete list.

If you need to carry any unauthorized medication with you, you must request a medical certificate legalized by the embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Dubai hospitals and medical centers are generally of quality. However, it is advisable to take out travel insurance that covers possible treatments and repatriations.

Practical tips

To avoid any unwanted situation, there are some recommendations that it is important to take into account, since the culture of the area is especially restrictive.

First of all, care must be taken when take pictures, since the following elements should not be taken:

• People, especially women
• Mosques
• Military institutions
• Industrial facilities
• Government agencies
• Ports
• Airports

Homosexuality is punishable by death. In the case of foreigners, the punishment is immediate deportation. However, in Dubai, being a territory inhabited mostly by foreigners, you can find some ambient nightclubs. If you want to do gay tourism, here you will find information: The 15 most gay-friendly countries in the world.

You have to be careful with clothing, especially in the case of of, who are advised not to wear short skirts or keep their shoulders in the air. Also, bikinis are prohibited on public beaches.

You must have a behavior considered correct, since for some actions such as kissing in public or cursing it is possible to enter prison.