According to the nationality in 2025 the UAE government offers both visa on arrival and e-visa for tourists arriving in the UAE from different parts of the world. The UAE visa is essential to enter the country. One can obtain the UAE visa from ICP and GDRFA through online application. The UAE government facilitates both visa on arrival and e-visa.
Visa on Arrival: Visa on arrival is a type of visa that is issued by the UAE government to the foreign nationals who wish to arrive in the UAE. The facility of visa on arrival allows the percent to get the visa on he or she has landed in the country.
E-Visa: An e-visa in the According e UAE is an electronic visa that can be applied through an ICP app. The visa allows the person to legally enter the country for whatever visa he or she has applied for. The documents submitted remain the same as a normal visa application.
Key Differences Between Visa-on-Arrival and E-Visa
Key differences between the visa on arrival and e-visa are mentioned below:
- Application Process: Application process for visa on arrival is applied at the immigration counter when arrived at the destination country. On the contrary e-visa can be applied from any country through online platforms available in the UAE.
- Required Documents: In case of visa on arrival the duck hard copy of the documents are submitted at the immigration counter of the destination country. While in case of e-visa the soft copies are uploaded on the online platform available to the visiting nation.
- Approval Time: Where the visa on arrival is given at the counter and the decision to provide the visa is made at the counter itself. The processing time for an e-visa takes a few hours to a few weeks.
- Travel Certainty: If you do not have proper documentation and then your visa on arrival might be denied. Once approved by the official web portals you are certainly allowed to enter the country.
- Convenience: Where in case of visa on arrival you might have to wait in question. In the case of e-visa the application process is convenient and you can apply anywhere.
- Payment: For visa on arrival payment for the visa is given at the counter in the airport. In the case of e-visa, can we meet through online mode like Google pay debit card or credit card.
- UAE Visa File Number Guide: Where in visa on arrival file number file number is issued at the airport on the passport after your arrival in the destination country on the other hand e-visa file number is mentioned on the PDF is assigned once visa is approved while applying
- UAE visa photo: The UAE visa photo size requirement dimensions are same for both visa on arrival and e-visa however, in case of visa on arrival you do not need to carry any passport size photograph it is taken at the counter by the immigration department where as in case e-visa you need to upload the document according to the dimensions given.
How Each Process Works
Now we will check how each process work for visa on arrival and e-visa
- Travel to Destination: Arrive in the destination country
- Go to Immigration Counter: Look for immigration counter at the airport.
- Submit Documents: Submit hard copies of documents required like passport, photo, insurance etc.
- Pay Visa Fee: Pay your visa fees at the immigration counter
- Get Visa Issued: Get your visa from the counter
E-Visa Process
- Apply Online: Apply for e-visa through online mode.
- Fill Application Form: Fill your application form properly.
- Upload Documents: Upload all necessary documents.
- Pay Online Fee: Make payment online through debit card credit card or Google pay.
- Receive Approval: Receive your e-visa in pdf form to present it
- Validity before Travel: How many days before visa expires can travel to the UAE, in case of visa on arrival there is no time restriction as your visa is issued at the counters on arrival where in case of e-visa the validity period to travel in the destination country is 60 days.
Visa on Arrival (VoA)
- Pros: No need to apply in advance, convenient for last minute journey plans, easy processes that are conducted at the airport.
- Cons: not available for all the countries, there is a possibility is that you do not possess all necessary documents, waiting time at the airport increase
e-visa
- Pros: can be applied from anywhere through online platform, avoid long queues at the airport, you can travel without stress once you have your e-visa
- Cons: lengthy process can make mistakes, time for approval is more few hours to few days
Things to Keep in Mind:
As a tourist who is arriving in the UAE there are few things that must be kept in mind for visa on arrival and e-visa.
Visa on Arrival: When it comes to visa on arrival key aspects to keep an eye on are:
- Citizenship: Citizens of only few countries are allowed to get a visa on arrival does to check your eligibility
- Validity Period: Understand how long you can stay on this visa.
- Required Documents: Make sure that you have all necessary documents that might be required
- Fees: You need to be the visa fees at the immigration counter
- Processing time: The processing time for visa on arrival is amount of time required at the immigration counter
E-Visa: Few aspects that needs to be remember are given below:
- Citizenship: Citizens of any country can apply for the visa
- Validity: Validity for an e-visa is 60 days.
- Required Documents: Make sure that you upload all the necessary documents for the UAE visa.
- Fees: Visa fees can be submitted online to debit card credit card or any other online medium
- Processing time: The processing time for e-visa is from you working hours few days