Dubai is well renowned for being a fantastic destination to visit and welcomes travellers from all over the world every year. Dubai has a complex allure with a variety of stunning, spotless buildings and beaches to admire. Many Nigerians visit Dubai to chill, sightsee, shop, and conduct business. Others travel to see relatives, look for work, start a new life, or simply take in the scenery.
Although many Nigerians travel to Dubai regularly, obtaining a visa for the first trip can be difficult if the applicant lacks the necessary information. This article will provide you with a detailed description of all the processes you need to complete to successfully secure your Dubai visa in Nigeria.
You must first decide on the type of visa required for your journey to Dubai, determine your eligibility, and then prepare the necessary paperwork and finances to secure the visa and maintain you during your stay.
Dubai Visa Categories
There are numerous grades of Dubai visas accessible to Nigerians including;
Visa for 96 Hours:
This type of visa is accessible to Nigerians travelling to Dubai for a short period, most likely to attend a business meeting or as a stopover before continuing to another location. This short-term visa is only valid for four days.
Visa for 14 Days:
is also a short-term, single-entry visa provided to individuals visiting Dubai for less than fourteen days. The 14-day visa cannot be extended and is only valid from the date it was issued.
Visa for 30 Days:
For travel to Dubai, there are two types of 30-day visas available:
- The 30-day Single Entry Visa: This is accessible to candidates travelling to Dubai for no more than 30 days. It is likewise a short-term, single-entry visa that cannot be extended and is valid for 58 days from the date of issuance.
- The 30-day multiple entry visa: This is accessible to candidates who want to visit Dubai multiple times within 30 days. It is likewise a non-extendable short-term visa that is valid for 58 days from the date of issuance. This type of visa allows the holder to enter and exit Dubai within 30 days.
Visa for 90 Days:
The 90-day visa is valid for three (3) months from its issuance date. There are two kinds of 90-day visas available:
- 90-day Single Entry Long Term Visa: This type of visa is accessible to Nigerians travelling to Dubai for an extended period, primarily for family visits, business, medical treatment, or vacation/tourism.
- 90-day Numerous Entries Visa: this is similar to a multiple entries 30-day visa in that the holder can travel in and out of Dubai within the validity period.
How Do I Apply for a Visa to Dubai?
As long as you complete all of the requirements and have all of the relevant paperwork, applying for a Dubai visa is a reasonably simple process. It is a simple procedure that you may complete on your own. All you need to do is be cautious and follow the directions exactly.
You may choose to contact visa agencies for assistance, but if you prefer to do it yourself (which I encourage), don’t worry; this post will teach you all you need to know and do. The following are the essential processes for obtaining a visa to Dubai:
Step 1:
Determine your eligibility for travel and prepare your documentation; This is the most critical phase in the visa application process. Before you pack your bags or begin planning your trip, you should first confirm your eligibility to travel.
It would be a complete waste of time and potentially money to complete the visa application process just to discover at the point of entry that you are ineligible to migrate to Dubai. Before any Nigerian can visit Dubai, various documentation must be prepared. They are listed below:
- International Passport: You must possess a valid international passport (as well as copies of your valid and expired visas.)
- Visa Application form: have a completely and accurately filled visa application form usually to be completed in block letters and appropriately signed.
- Nigerian passport: Your valid Nigerian passport (original and photocopy) to show your travel history, your bio-data page, your passport number and your photograph.
- Coloured Passport Photographs: Two copies of recent and identical coloured Passport photographs in size 4.3 by 5.5 cm and on white background.
- Proof of Sufficient Funds: Possession of adequate funds to travel to Dubai (including your visa application fees), sustain yourself while there and return to your country. You will need to provide proof of funds in terms of a recent bank statement of your account (not less than six months) or an On-ward air return ticket.
- Letter of invitation: if you are travelling to visit relatives or friends, you are required to possess a letter or evidence of invitation from the person living in Dubai that you will be visiting or staying with while in the city. The introduction letter should include the dates of your visit, the period of stay and the purpose of the visit. It should also contain the contact information of your friend or relatives such as physical address, mail address and contact phone numbers including date and signature. Also, ensure you provide a copy of their UAE passport (information page) and/or their residence permit.
- Health Insurance: proof of health insurance must also be made available to enable you to be eligible to travel to Dubai.
- A complete record of itinerary: you are expected to provide a record of your hotel bookings and their address, also you should have your tickets either the emirates or the Fly Dubai airline ticket ( including return ticket)
Step 2:
Complete the required application forms; Nigerians looking for a visa to Dubai are usually expected to fill out the requisite application form and other papers. You must visit a visa application center to fill out your forms and finalize your application. You can also submit your application electronically by filling out your forms and uploading all of the essential papers as specified in the instructions. Fill out your visa application paperwork completely and accurately, and sign where required.
If you are traveling with family members, they must also download, fill out, and sign the necessary documents. If the applicant is under the age of 18, the paperwork must be signed by the applicant’s parent or guardian.
Step 3:
Pay Your Application Fees: Once you’ve completed the necessary forms and arranged them properly, the following step is to pay your visa application fees. This payment is essential and must be made at a Dubai Visa Application Centre near you. Following payment of fees, you must get your receipts. Do not depart without providing proof of payment.
- 96-hour visa fees: N25, 445 is the visa charge for an individual who wishes to travel to Dubai on a 96-hour visa.
- Visa charge for 14 days: The 14-day visa costs N33,110.
- While the 90-day Long Term Single Entry Visa costs N68,880.
- Long Term Multiple Entry 90 Days Visa fees: N168,525.
- 30-day single entry visa fee: The fee for a 30-day single entry short-term visa is currently N33,110.
- 30-day single entry visa charge: N66, 325 for 30-day multiple entry visa price.
Step 4:
After making the required payments, you can now submit your visa application materials together with the invoices or other documentation proving that all fees have been paid. This can be done online or at the Dubai Visa Application Center. Make sure all of your supporting documentation is neatly filled out, included, and complete before submitting it.
Also, bring all of the original copies of your required papers to the visa application facility for verification. Following the submission of your documentation, processing will begin, and your application will be reviewed by an immigration officer. If the officer decides that an interview is required, you will be notified by letter with the date, time, and place of the interview. If your application is accepted, you will be notified; otherwise, an explanation of why it was refused will be sent.
Tips For Improving Application Processing;
- Send all essential documents and information.
- Check to see if your application package is complete.
- Include your current contact information, such as your e-mail address, phone number, mailing address, and fax number.
- Do not leave signatures blank on your paperwork.