Travel Services

Entry Visas for Visitors

All visitors except citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) require a visa. It is important to choose the correct type of visa according to your nationality, the purpose of entry and planned duration. Visit and transit visas are single entry visas and only allow you to remain for a limited time. If you are entering on a more permanent basis then you need either a residence or employment visa. Nationals of Israel may not enter the UAE.

Passports must have a minimum validity of six months when applying for an entry permit. All photographs are to be recent and in colour with a white background. Proof that one has a health insurance is mandatory for certain nationalities and a Dhs 1,000 refundable deposit can be required on entering the country.

Requirements, regulations and costs do vary according to nationality and can change at any time, so check with your embassy, travel agency, tour operator or hotel before travelling to the UAE.

Please visit www.shj-airport.gov.ae/visadetails.htm for regular updates and further information.

Visas

Free Single Entry Visit Visa

Eligible: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA and Vatican City.
Issued: On arrival at the port of entry.
Validity: 60 days.
Cost: Free for 60 days.
Renewable for a further 30 days for Dhs 620.

Single Entry Visit Visa, obtained prior to entry

Eligible: Chinese, Cypriots, Eastern Europeans, Maltese, South Africans, Central and South Americans, Thai, Turks and former members of the Soviet Union.
Issued: Beforehand by a sponsor such as a relative or an establishment, allow 7 days.
Validity: 60 days from date of issue.
Cost: Free.
Renewable for a further 30 days for Dhs 620.

Single Entry Tourist Visit Visa

Eligible: Tourists sponsored by a hotel or a tour operator.
Issued: In advance of arrival.
Validity: 30 days only.
Cost: Dhs 220 and Dhs 10 for delivery.
Not renewable.

Transit Visa

Eligible: Business and tourists, sponsored by local company or a hotel.
Issued: In advance of arrival, allow 3 days
Validity: 14 days only.
Cost: Dhs 220 and Dhs 10 for delivery.
Not renewable.

Single Entry 96-HourVisa

Eligible: For those travelling onward to a destination other than that of origin and with a valid ticket for onward flight. The visa must be sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE
Validity: 96 hours.
Cost: Dhs 165.

Multiple Entry Visa

Eligible: Frequent business visitors who have a relationship with a reputable company in the UAE.
Validity: 6 months from the date of issue with a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. The visitor must enter on a Visit Visa and obtain the Multiple Entry Visa whilst here.
Cost: Dhs 3,110.
Not renewable.

If you are entering the country for employment or to live with a family member you will need a Residence or Employment Visa. This type of visa is valid for 3 years and is necessary in order to obtain a full driving licence, register a car, to open a bank account and to rent a property.

Health Requirements

Whilst health certificates are not presently required it is advisable to check with your doctor well before departure (also visit the World Health Organization website on www.who.int/ith/en).

Customs

Personal Effects: Free of charge.
Duty Free Allowances: 2,000 cigarettes - 400 cigars - 2 kgs tobacco - Alcohol (non-Muslim adults only) 2 litres of wine and 2 litres of spirits.
Commercial Imports: Generally 5% on the invoice value of the goods. There is no export duty or limit on goods leaving the country.

Sharjah International Airport celebrates over 75 years in operation since the first airport opened in 1932. Geared towards visitor’s needs one of the airport’s greatest assets is its 20-minute check-in and checkout time. The ‘Hala’ meet and greet service is also available to assist people arriving and departing. The airport has an impressive duty free shopping facility and offers all the traveller friendly services expected from a modern international airport.

Airport Transfer

Most hotels provide a free shuttle bus service to and from the airports. If you don’t have complimentary transport to wherever you are staying, a taxi from Dubai Airport to Sharjah starts with Dhs 20 on the meter, with an additional Dhs 20 added as you enter Sharjah, and can easily clock up to Dhs 80 by the time you reach the border with Ajman, the next Emirate. A taxi from Sharjah International Airport into Sharjah city also starts the meter running at Dhs 20 and will cost around an extra Dhs 30 to the centre of town.