How Can You Apply for a UAE Visa Online and Offline (Different Options)

If you are planning to visit the UAE, here are the different options provided by UAE’s immigration authorities to apply for UAE visa online and offline.

You may choose any of the below options to apply for a UAE visa online or offline, the process is simple. Here you go:

1. Applying for a UAE Visa through Online Channel
   1. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP)
   2. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai
   3. DubaiNow app
   4. Airline websites
   5. GDRFA DXB App
2. Applying for a UAE Visa through Offline Channel
   1. Typing Centre
   2. Amer Centre
   3. Travel Agency
   4. Hotel

Regardless of which platform you are using (website or app), you would need to keep certain digital copies of certain documents readily available with you to complete the application process easily. These include:
1. Passport copy of the sponsor and the sponsored
2. Photograph of the sponsored
3. Emirates ID of the sponsor
4. Ejari of the sponsor (might be needed for a tourist visa)
5. Documents like birth certificate or marriage certificate, duly attested. You may need to provide your labour contract or salary certificate in applications like a Golden Visa application or a family visa.

Applying UAE Visa Through Online Channel:

1. Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP):

If you are applying for a tourist, residence or employment visa in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain or Fujairah, you can apply for it through Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). You can also apply for the visa online, through the ICP website, icp.gov.ae or the smartphone application ‘UAEICP’, available for both Apple and Android devices.

You can apply for a residence visa, five-year tourist visa or a regual 30 or 9- days tourist visa online.

2. General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai

If you are applying for a tourist, residence or employment visa in Dubai, you can apply for it through the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai – gdrfad.gov.ae. Please make sure you have all the documents easily accessible to you, when you apply for a visa online.

3. DubaiNow app

GDRFA Dubai also allows people to apply for a visa through the DubaiNow App which is the official app for all Dubai government-related services.

4. Airline websites

If you are planning to visit the UAE and are booking a ticket through a UAE airline like Emirates and Etihad, you can also use their website to apply for a tourist visa. However, each airline has some conditions, which must be met for your visa to be arranged by them. One of the conditions is flying with them. When booking your ticket, you can also enquire about applying for a visit visa.

5. GDRFA DXB App

You can also apply for a Dubai entry permit or complete your visa renewal process through a new app ‘GDRFA DXB’ which has been launched by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA) which is currently available for Apple Phone and  will soon be launched for Google Phone.

You can also apply for establishment card for Dubai Based businesses.

Here are the visa services that are available for residents in the newly launched app:

• Apply for a new residency permit
• Renew residency permit
• Issue new entry permit
• Issue residency permit for newborn
• Pay fines for violations.

To use the application, you can either sign in using the UAE Pass account or create an account with GDRFA by providing your personal information like your full name, date of birth, gender and contact details and your Emirates ID Number.

Once you are logged in, your residence visa information will automatically be synced in the app.

Applying UAE Visa through Offline Channel:

1. Typing centres

Visit a typing centre with the required documents, make the payment for the visa you are applying for and the typing centre will manage the entire application process. Immigration authorities in the UAE have authorised several typing centres to process visa applications from individuals and establishments. However, going through a typing centre, you will have to pay additional service charges.

2. Amer centre

If you have a visa issued in Dubai and want to sponsor your family you can get this done through the Amer centres. Provide them with the required documents. Amer Centres processes immigration applications on behalf of Dubai’s GDRFA.

3. Travel agencies

Licenced travel agents in the UAE can arrange a tourist visa for you, provided you purchase the ticket through them. If you are applying for a tourist visa from your home country, you can contact your local travel agency for any packages. Additionally, it is important to check the authenticity of travel agents before you start dealing with.

4. Hotels

You can also apply for your tourist visa through the hotels provided that you have made a hotel reservation with them.