Arriving in Dubai and the UAE

​Arriving at the Airport

 

Immigration

• Keep a digital copy of your provisional 30-day entry visa on your phone (we will provide this to you via WhatsApp)

• Enter the country via a manned immigration desk (not e-gate), on the same passport that’s linked to your visa

• You may mention your entry visa, though that is usually not required

 

Obtain a mobile number

• Right after the baggage claim, in the arrivals hall, visit “Virgin Mobile” (only at Dubai Airport Terminal 1&3, and Abu Dhabi airport)

• Here you may get a local UAE sim card (physical or e-sim) for internet and calling

• Basic plans start at around 80AED per month, no annual contract is necessary

• The number will be linked to your passport, and will get deactivated after 30 days.

• Once you receive your local Emirates ID card, visit Virgin Mobile again to update your details and prevent deactivation (explained in more detail later)

• You may also receive a “free” sim card at immigration (as a promotional item), however, those only support mobile internet and not calling, and are therefore of limited use

• You may come across two alternative mobile network providers (DU and Etisalat). They have similar pricing, but make it more difficult to change mobile plans, particularly annual plans. 

  • DU allows you to call one other DU number for free.

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Get a taxi or take Dubai Metro to your hotel

• Rather than Uber, you may use the local mobile app “Careem” (fully owned by Uber). 

• On Careem you can order a Careem (=Uber) OR a standard “Hala” taxi

• A Hala taxi will be cheaper, and is a regular government taxi.

• At the airport, however, it will be easier to just join the taxi queue (no need to call a taxi/Careem/Uber)

 

Inform us of your arrival via WhatsApp (if not done so before)

• Some government processes can only proceed once you are “inside the country”.

• We will proceed with these steps once we know you have passed immigration

 

 

In the City

 

Medical Appointment

• Our team will reach out to you regarding your medical examination appointment on WhatsApp

• We will provide you with instructions on where and when to go (this depends on whether you chose standard or express service)

• The examination involves a blood drawing and x-ray, and screens for contagious diseases such as HIV, Typhoid, Syphilis and Hepatitis

  • Medical examinations are not necessary for under 14 year olds.

• You may eat/drink as usual, before and after the examination

• We will receive your medical results automatically (no need to do anything from your side)

  • Medical results will be ready within 60min or 48h, depending on whether you chose express or standard service

  • Assuming you pass your medical, we will proceed with the conversion of your provisional entry visa to a full residence visa (no need to do anything on your side)

  • If you believe you are at risk of failing the medical, please reach out to us BEFORE taking the examination

 

Biometrics Appointment

• Our team will reach out regarding your biometrics appointment.

• This involves taking fingerprints and an iris scan at a government office

• This information is needed for the issuance for your biometrics-enabled Emirates ID card

 

After Your Appointments Are Done, Take a Rest.

 

Receiving Visa Approval

• If you pass your medical examination, your provisional 30-day “entry visa” will be converted to a full residence visa.

• We will share the digital visa copy with you on WhatsApp.

• There are NO physical visa copies!

• The visa is different from your physical Emirates ID Card (see below)

 

Receiving your Emirates ID card

• We will receive your Emirates ID card on your behalf, 3-7 working days after your biometrics appointment (depending on standard or express service). Delivery delays beyond 2 weeks are possible if the printing facility is down.

• On the same day we receive your ID, we will express deliver the ID to your preferred location (any hotel/address in Dubai)

 

Open your personal/business bank accounts

• Once you have your Emirates ID and are available for around 30-60min, contact our team via WhatsApp

• We will assist you with the online application process for your personal and business bank account applications

• The applications require the following:

  • You need to have your Emirates ID card with you

  • You need to be available (face verification) - this can’t be completed by a third party

  • You need to be physically located in the UAE

• Personal bank accounts usually get approved within 60min

• Business bank accounts usually get approved within 24h (delays possible in rare cases)

• After you have submitted your application(s), you may leave the country, even if your bank account applications have not yet been approved.

 

Update your mobile phone number

• To prevent deactivation of your UAE mobile number after 30 days, you will need to do one of the following:

• You may decide to stay with Virgin Mobile. In that case:

  • Visit a Virgin Mobile booth (anywhere in Dubai) with your passport and Emirates ID

  • Ask them to update your ID on file from your passport to your Emirates ID

  • With Virgin Mobile, you may change your paid plan from monthly to annual (discounted)

  • You may also cancel any plans, and simply top up your account with any amount (e.g., 100AED), for pay-as-you-go usage.

• Alternatively, you may decide to switch to another mobile operator.

  • The two main mobile networks in the UAE are DU and Etisalat

  • Virgin Mobile runs on the DU network

  • Virgin, DU and Etisalat are comparable price-wise 

  • Virgin Mobile has the advantage of being prominently located at airports, and offering pay-as-you-go usage (no monthly/annual plan)

  • If you like to switch, visit one of the alternative providers in person, and ask them to assist you in transferring your Virgin Mobile number over to them

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Internet Restrictions: VOIP, WhatsApp Calls, Facetime and VPNs

• In the UAE, a limited number of web services are banned, such as some critical news outlets, dating apps/websites and VOIP services.

• Improtantly, voice calling over the internet does not work via WhatsApp or Facetime. If you want to use those services, you will need to use a VPN (best downloaded and installed before you enter the UAE).

• By law, using a VPN itself is legal. However, using a VPN to access banned services is illegal, although enforcement is rarely effective and consequences are uncommon.

• Business voice and video call services (Zoom, Google Meet etc.) are NOT restricted, and work without VPN

• Similarly, voice messages on WhatsApp also work (just not calls).

• If you decide to switch to the UAE App store (on Apple or Google), you won't be able to download certain apps, such as Facetime, and dating apps.

• Some locals use a FaceTime alternative called Botim (available for free on all app stores, fully approved by the UAE government).

 

Using the UAE PASS Mobile App

• A variety of UAE government platforms and apps use an online-verification system called UAE PASS

• We recommend downloading the government’s UAE PASS App on your phone, and registering with your UAE mobile number and Emirates ID card

• The UAE PASS app has no purpose other than verifying your identity when logging into other government apps and websites

 

Using the UAEICP Mobile App

• The UAEICP App is a government mobile app containing digital copies of your “final” approved residence visa and Emirates ID

• Download the app, and log in using the “Sign in with UAE PASS” button

• Under the “cards” option in the footer menu, find digital copies of your documents

 

 

Leaving the Country & Mandatory Stay Requirements

 

Leaving the Country

• You may leave the country as soon as your visa is fully issued (= converted from provisional entry visa to full residence visa; see above, under section “receiving visa approval”)

• Otherwise, you will be turned away at immigration and be denied boarding!

• It does not matter whether you have undergone biometrics or received your Emirates ID yet

• If in doubt, contact us on WhatsApp for confirmation

 

Re-entering 

• If you are in possession of one of the following visas, you will need to enter the UAE at least once every 180 days. There is no need to stay overnight - you just need to pass through immigration.

  • 2Y Employee Visa

  • 2Y Dependent Visa (Spouse, Kids)

  • 1Y Elderly Dependent Visa

• If you are in possession of one of the below visas, you will need to enter the UAE at least once every 365 days.

  • 2Y Shareholder Visa

  • 2Y Partner Visa

• If you stay longer than the above specified days outside the country, you will first need to apply for a re-entry permit and pay a fine of 100AED/month. You also need a valid reason for your extended stay abroad (e.g., education, medical treatment).

• If you are in possession of a 10Y Golden Visa, there are NO such entry requirements.

 

Change of Passport

• Your visa is connected to your current passport

• Should your passport expire while your visa is still valid, you will need to do the following:

  • At the airport, whether you are leaving or entering the UAE, do NOT visit an e-gate

  • Instead, go to a manned immigration desk and inform an officer of your new passport

  • Have your old and new passports ready, as well as your Emirates ID

  • The officer will update your passport information for free in the immigration database

  • From then on, you may use e-gates with your new passport

• This only works if your citizenship remains unchanged!

• If you change your citizenship, please contact us first.

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