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 40AED 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

 

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)

• 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

 

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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