Moving to a new country offers career and education growth, exposure to new cultures and lifestyles, and improved financial prospects. Unfortunately, visa application mistakes, whether innocent or intentional, can lead to denials, delays or re-entry bans.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) visa application process is strict, especially with the updated rules. At Remitly, we strive to help increase your chances for a successful visa application to live the life of your dreams abroad, so we’ve prepared this comprehensive guide on common UAE visa application mistakes to avoid.
The UAE visa landscape
The UAE is a popular destination for immigrants, who make up 88% of the population. Due to the high inflow of visitors, fake visa scams are rising:
- Scammers pretend to offer legitimate job offers.
- Some people use short visit visas to enter the UAE, then provide authorities with fake employment visas to stay longer.
- Fraudulent visa agents con unsuspecting individuals who pay for fake visas, then face problems at airports when making connecting flights or on arrival to the UAE.
To combat this, the UAE has introduced new visa rules to ensure compliance with immigration laws, prevent misuse, and streamline processes to reduce fraudulent applications.
Recent changes in visa applications in the UAE
Stricter requirements for visit visas
A UAE visit visa allows you to enter the country for short-term stays such as visiting relatives, tourism, business meetings, exploring job or business opportunities, getting medical treatment, or travelling through the UAE to another country.
Some people have misused this visa, forcing the UAE government to introduce stricter measures:
- Proof of financial means to support your stay: You must have at least AED 5,000 (around GBP 1,050) in your bank account to support your stay in the UAE.
- Return tickets: You must provide details of your return ticket to prove that you’ll only stay within the permitted time frame.
- Accommodation details: Your visa application must now include where you’ll stay during your visit. You’ll need to attach an invitation letter from your UAE-based host or a confirmed hotel booking.
- Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter the UAE.
You must attach all supporting documents when applying for the visa
Previously, you could present some supporting documents—return/onward ticket, proof of accommodation, financial proof, national identity card, and valid health insurance—after arriving in the UAE. Now, you must attach all required documents when applying for your visa.
Extended validity for the multiple-entry tourist visa
The UAE offers frequent travellers a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa to enter the country for leisure and tourism, staying for a maximum of 90 days per visit. You can now extend the visit by another 90 days to spend 180 consecutive days in the country.
Extended validity for the jobseeker visa
The jobseeker visa targets highly skilled recent graduates and professionals, allowing them to stay for up to 90 days to find jobs in the UAE. Changes have increased the validity period to 120 days.
New Mission visa (visit visa for work assignment or mission work permit)
The Mission visa is a short-term work visa that allows foreigners to visit the UAE for temporary or short-term work, e.g., probationary or project-based work.
Key features of the Mission visa
- Single entry
- Valid for 90 days and can be extended for another 90 days. However, it’s non-renewable, and you must leave the UAE upon expiry.
- For freelancers and skilled professionals. You must provide proof of expertise, such as certified academic qualifications or professional experience.
- You must be sponsored by your employer, who must prove to the immigration office the necessity for your specialised, short-term services.
Mandatory health insurance
All UAE visa holders must have health insurance coverage. This may be self- or employer-sponsored—check the specific requirements for your visa and any local rules for the place you’re moving to.
Golden visa program expansion
If you want to live, work, and study in the UAE for a long time (up to ten years) and you fulfil the criteria, consider the Golden visa program.
Previously, the visa was granted to individuals with exceptional talents and highly skilled professionals, e.g., researchers, medical professionals, creatives, and scientists. Investors, entrepreneurs, and outstanding students were also eligible. The visa now includes exceptional educators.
Other changes to the program include:
- A minimum basic salary of AED 30,000 for professionals, exclusive of any allowances
- A new investment threshold for property visas of AED 2,000,000, which can consist of one or more properties
- A streamlined application process for family members.
Impact of profession on visa eligibility
Your profession also impacts the outcome of your visa application. For example, in the UAE, some professionals are eligible for longer-stay visas like the blue residency visa and the golden or green visa.
The table below breaks it down:
| Skill level | Visa type |
| Skilled workers with bachelor’s degrees and valid employment contracts in skilled fields like science, law, and education. | Standard work visa
Green visa |
| Skilled workers, freelancers, and self-employed individuals who can self-sponsor.
The monthly salary must be at least AED 15,000. |
Green visa |
| Top-tier scientists, specialists, and highly skilled professionals in fields like science, engineering, IT, law, healthcare, and education.
Minimum basic salary of AED 30,000, exclusive of any allowances. |
Golden visa |
| Currently only open to foreigners supporting environmental sustainability/action, climate change, and renewable energy.
Foreigners who’ve provided financial support of at least AED 1,000,000 to environmental sector initiatives (this may be flexible depending on other environmental contributions). Expat scientists and researchers with master’s or doctorate degrees from leading global universities or specialised institutions with a proven research impact in the environmental field. It doesn’t grant a right to work in the UAE, so you must demonstrate you can support yourself, your family, and any domestic workers without government assistance. You must also maintain valid health insurance provided by a local provider. |
Blue residency visa |
Staying updated with current policies
The UAE regularly updates visa rules. Read from reputable sources—such as the government and news outlets—to stay updated with the current policies before applying for a visa.
Some resources you might find useful are:
- The United Arab Emirates Government Portal
- Emirates Visa Online
- Emirates.com
- Visit Dubai
- Government of Dubai
- Etihad
- Khaleej Times
- Gulf News
Visa rejection in the UAE
The new stringent regulations have increased the rate of visa rejections. Some travel agents and agencies report that six per cent of their visa applications are rejected, compared to the previous one per cent. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons for a visa rejection.
Passport issues
- Expired passport: It must be valid for at least six months from your arrival in the UAE.
- Damaged passport: A torn or worn-out passport is unacceptable.
- Handwritten passport: The UAE rejects handwritten passport copies.
- Insufficient blank pages: Your passport must have enough blank pages left for entry and exit endorsements, and visa stamps.
Application form issues
- Incomplete information: Not filling all the required fields.
- Incorrect or inconsistent information: Filling in information that doesn’t match the information on your supporting documents. For example, filling in the wrong passport number.
Issues with your supporting documents
- Invalid documents: Submitting an expired or fake passport, for instance.
- Incorrect documents: Your visa application will be rejected if you submit the wrong document. For instance, you can’t submit a sale agreement to replace a bank statement.
- Poor quality scans: Ensure that your scanned documents are legible.
- Incorrect photographs: The application will specify the photo’s size, background, and clarity. Ensure you follow the guidelines.
- Missing documents: Submit all the required documents relevant to your visa type.
Other reasons
- Violating sponsorship rules.
- Not meeting the eligibility criteria, e.g., having insufficient funds.
- Children under 18 years travelling without an adult. An adult, e.g., a relative, must accompany you but must produce authorisation from your parents—a completed and signed affidavit or parent consent form.
- Previous violations such as overstaying. Repeated violations further worsen your chances.
- Health issues. You’ll need a medical certificate to prove that you’re fit to live and work in the UAE and don’t have any communicable diseases.
- Criminal record, especially when you’re linked to organisations that threaten national security. Work visa applicants must produce a certificate of good conduct.
Common mistakes to avoid on UAE visa applications
These problems are sometimes caused by mistakes on your end. Let’s look at common ones and how to avoid them.
- Providing incorrect or incomplete information.
- Applying for the incorrect visa type. This can happen when you don’t understand the visa type you need.
- Delaying the application submission. Processing times vary depending on the visa type. It’s better to be cautious and submit early.
- Applying at the wrong place. The UAE has approved official channels or service providers for visa applications. Airlines like Emirates and Etihad can help you get transit or tourist visas.
- Submitting invalid documents. Always triple-check the validity of your documents. They must also be legible and in good condition.
- Ignoring health requirements. For example, medical insurance is mandatory.
- Ignoring professional help. Seek help from an immigration consultant or through government portals if you find the process confusing, especially when trying to keep up with the new changes.
- Poor interview preparation. Immigration officials will invite you for an interview to ascertain your reasons for visiting the UAE. Prepare adequately and be honest.
How to correct mistakes in UAE visa application
It’s good practice to counter-check your application to check for mistakes and rectify any mistakes you identify. If you identify a mistake after submission, do the following:
- Contact immigration.
- Notify them of the mistake.
- Follow their instructions on the resubmission procedure.
- Submit the correct information or valid document.
- Confirm receipt of the document.
- Confirm that they have updated your information.
- Follow up with the office to see if any more information or clarification is needed.
Tips for a smooth application process and a successful UAE visa application
We wish you a smooth application process. Here are a few final tips to remember:
- Ensure accurate documentation.
- Confirm application details.
- Plan application time effectively.
- Follow sponsor and employer guidelines.
- Prepare for legal and medical compliance.
- Learn to identify visa and labour fraud.
- Report visa scams to UAE authorities—Dubai police, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), or the Ministry of Interior (MoI). You can call their toll-free hotlines or register a complaint via their official website’s complaint forms.
- Check for fraudulent UAE visa applications. Verify your visa on the official UAE government immigration website. You can check the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) portal for Dubai visas. Input your visa number and passport details to check validity.
FAQs
What are the reasons for visa rejection in the UAE?
There are a range of reasons why your visa may be rejected. Some of the most common reasons include invalid documents, incomplete information, poor quality scans, incorrect documents, not meeting the eligibility criteria, and previous visa violations, among others.
How can I correct my Dubai visa mistake?
Contact immigration, find out the resubmission procedure, supply accurate information or documents, and follow up to ensure your information has been updated.
What are the new rules for UAE visas?
New rules for visit visas include proof of financial means to support your stay (AED 5,000) and return tickets, accommodation details, and passport validity (at least six months from the travel date).
Does profession matter when applying for a UAE visa?
Yes, it does. Some professionals are eligible for longer-stay visas.