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| General Information Dubai is the second largest emirate in the U.A.E. Its total area is around 1000 square miles. The city of Dubai is divided by the famous Dubai creek or Khor. This natural harbour, and Dubai's strategic location on the international trading map has made it one of the world's leading trading and commercial centers. The Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, succeeded his father in 1990. His father, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was one of the founding fathers of the UAE together with H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan and was the Vice-President and Prime Minister until his death in 1990. Now, Sheikh Maktoum has taken the mantle of the above positions. The Maktoum family is also a part of the Baniyas tribe who first settled in Abu Dhabi but then later took control of Dubai in 1833. Dubai's growth can be traced back to the early years of the century when the grandfather of H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum persuaded the British shipping line plying between Britain and India, to make Dubai their main port of call in the 1940s. To further consolidate its position as a major port, H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum took an active interest in the development of Dubai, he established a Police Force, a customs service and developed trade connections with India. Soon, in the 1960's, with the discovery of oil, money started to pour in and Dubai's prominence and prosperity increased. But aware of the risks of oil-dependency, Sheikh Rashid actively promoted new industrial ventures. The Aluminium and Cement factory are the result of this endeavour. The Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone - the fifth largest in the world within a short span of ten years, has attracted over 900 international companies that include global giants - a few of these are General Motors, AEG, Aiwa, BP, Ciba, Geigy, Daewoo and Heinz. Dubai's attractiveness not only lies in its trade. Like the rest of the U.A.E., it has also been actively promoted as a tourist destination. A few of its notable achievements are : ·The gold prize for the best destination in the Middle East in the 1996 World Travel prizes ceremony held in June 1996 in Las Vegas, USA. Dubai also won the silver medal for the best tourism and conference centre in the Middle East. ·The Dubai Shopping Festival, held every year is a major attraction for tourists worldwide. ·The Dubai World Trade Centre has also emerged as the best Exhibition and Conference centre in the Gulf Region by hosting innumerable International Fairs and events like the Gitex and Index, that attracts buyers, sellers and customers from all over the world. ·The Dubai International Airport considered as the world's second best transit airport, currently handles 7.3 million passengers per year with a growth rate of 12% that is double that of any other airport in the world. ·The Dubai Air Show is currently ranked third as the most significant international air-shows on a global scale. The first being Farnborough in Britain and the second Le Bourget in Paris. ·The Dubai Summer Surprises is an innovative tourist attraction, aimed at increasing tourism in the usually inactive summer months. The peak summer months of July, August upto mid September are filled with shopping bonanzas, entertainment for children, Ice circus, with entertainment and educational programmes held daily at all the major shopping complexes. Visa Regulations & Health requirements ·There are several types of visas for visitors to Dubai. ·Nationals of "Israel" may not enter the U.A.E. ·A penalty charge of Dh 100 per day in imposed on visitors who overstay. ·For nationalities that require a sponsor, airlines may seek confirmation that the sponsor is holding a valid visa for the incoming visitor AGCC Citizens Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa. AGCC Residents AGCC expatriate residents who meet certain conditions may obtain a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival at the approved ports of entry. Citizens of Western Europe and Pacific Rim Citizens of UK (with the right of abode in the United Kingdom), France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Hong Kong (holders of Hong Kong Certification of Identification may not obtain any type of visa to enter the UAE) and UK Overseas Passport Holders born in China or Hong Kong will be granted a free of charge visit visa on arrival in the UAE. Currently, it has been decided to postpone the implementation of the new regulation as far as Malta and Cyprus are concerned. The visa enables them to stay for 60 days. The visa is renewable for a total stay of 90 days for a fee of Dhs 500. Entry Service Permit An Entry Service Permit applies to the following categories and their families accompanying them: company managers', representatives, sales managers, account auditors, delegations from companies or establishments to carry out a commercial activity in the UAE, enquirers requested by any of the establishments/companies operating in the UAE assumed to carry out an urgent task. Such visa is also availed to nationalities authorised to obtain a tourist visa, as per the Ministerial Council's decision. This visa is valid for use within 14 days from the date of issue. The duration of stay is 14 days from date of entry, exclusive of arrival and departure days. It is non-renewable. In order to complete the application, the sponsor will require 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. There is a fee of Dhs 120 for obtaining Entry Service Permit. There is also a fee of Dhs 10 for visa delivery service by DNATA. Hotels, hotel apartments, tour operators, travel agents and airlines may not levy supplementary charges or processing fees in excess of Dhs 50/- for arranging visas for visitors. The Entry Service Permit holder may enter and depart the U.A.E through any airport Visit Visas The Visit Visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14 days in Dubai, those coming for family visits as well as those on long term business visits. It requires the sponsorship of any U.A.E. resident or any company or hotel licensed to operate within the U.A.E. This visa is valid for entry within two months from its date of issue. The Visit Visa is valid for 60 days and is renewable for a total stay of upto 90 days. A fee of Dhs 500 is charged for this renewal. In order to complete the application, the sponsor will require the visitor's date of arrival and arrival details and a photocopy of the first few pages of the visitor's passport which should be valid for at least three months. There is a fee of Dhs 100 for obtaining a visit visa. There is also a fee of Dhs 10 for visa delivery service by DNATA. Hotels, hotel apartments, tour operators, travel agents and airlines may not levy supplementary charges or processing fees in excess of Dhs 50/- for arranging visas for visitors. The Visit Visa holder may enter and leave the country through any port of entry in the U.A.E. Tourist Visas A special category of visas under the Visit Visa type is a Tourist Visa, which can be obtained for individual tourists from: East and West Europe, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, Albania, Russia, the Hellenic Republic, St Kitts-Navis, St Lucia, Mexico, Cuba, Bermuda, Belize, Guyana, French Guiana, Martinique, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent, Kingston, Palao other non-defined American nationalities, Thailand, South Africa, Singapore, China, Malta, Cyprus. The Tourist Visa entitles its holder to a 30 day stay and is non-renewable. The Tourist Visa requires the sponsorship of hotels and tour operators who bring in visitors from the above listed countries. The fee is Dhs 100. There is also a fee of Dhs 10 for visa delivery service by DNATA. Hotels, hotel apartments, tour operators, travel agents and airlines may not levy supplementary charges or processing fees in excess of Dhs 50/- for arranging visas for visitors Multiple-Entry Visas Multiple-entry Visas are availed to business visitors who have a relationship with either a multinational or other reputable local establishments, and who are frequent visitors to the UAE. This type of visa is valid for six months from the date of issue and the duration of each stay is 30 days. The validity is non-renewable. The cost of this visa is Dh 1,000. The visitor must enter the UAE on a visit visa and obtain the multiple entry visa while in the country. The visa would be stamped on the passport. German Citizens German citizens (tourists and business people) may apply to the UAE embassy in Germany for a one or two year multiple-entry visa. No sponsor is required. The maximum duration of stay of visa holders should not exceed three months a year. The visa fee is Dhs 1,500. US Citizens US citizens (tourists and business people) may apply to the UAE embassies in the US for one to ten year multiple-entry visa. A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months a visit. Transit Visas This is a special type of visa, which applies to passengers passing through UAE airports. The passenger can obtain a visa for up to 96 hours. The travel document will be stamped with an entry seal. The visa in only valid if the passenger is traveling onwards from Dubai to another destination and not returning to the country of original departure. There is no fee for this type of visa, which can be sponsored by any airline operating in the UAE. Streamlining Tourism Traffic between Dubai and Oman Oman visitors (citizens of European Union countries, Scandinavia, America, Canada, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, China, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Switzerland, Indonesia and Iceland) can enter Dubai as a tourist group or individual through Hatta (by obtaining "Tourist Entry Permit"). Visitors can stay 30 days in Dubai from date of entry. Visa is free, non-renewable and no sponsor is required. Application is filled up through hotel or tour operator. Dubai visitors (citizens of European countries, former Soviet Union, America, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia and China) can visit Oman as a tourist group or individual through Al Seeb International Airport or Al Wajaja Centre (by obtaining "Tourist Joint Visa Statement"). Visitors can stay in Oman for 3 weeks. Visa is renewable for additional one-week stay, free and no sponsor is required. Application is filled up through hotel or tour operator. Health requirements: No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary depending upon the situation at the time. Customs Duty-free allowances: cigarettes - 2,000; cigars - 400; tobacco - 2kg; alcohol (non-Muslim adults only) - 2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of wine; perfume - a reasonable amount. No customs duty is levied on personal effects entering Dubai. Dubai Duty Free has a sales outlet in the Arrivals Hall. |
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