United Arab Emirates travel and visitor guide with hotel, airport, airline and vacation information. Compare United Arab Emirates vacation packages, hotels, cruise deals and real estate information. The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates or states, each with its own unique character and personality. Being literally crime-free is not the only thing that makes the United Arab Emirates one of the most attractive places to live in. Its state-of-the-art tourist infrastructure with numerous world-class hotels, sports events and shopping spectaculars held annually, ensures its position as the Middle East's number one tourist destination.
The United Arab Emirates is served by Abu Dhabi International Airport (Airport Code: AUH), Dubai International Airport (Airport Code: DXB), Sharjah International Airport (Airport Code: SHJ) and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (Airport Code: RKT). Airlines serving the United Arab Emirates include Emirates, Saudi, Air France, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and others. Visit our Airports & Airlines section for more information.
Hotels usually look after the visa formalities but this will require you to be a guest in that particular hotel. The other method is to have a local sponsor. Visas are deposited by the sponsor at the airport and you can collect it from the counter there on your arrival. Visit visas are valid for 30 days but can be renewed for up to a total of 100 days. The fine for staying on a late visa is Dh 100 per day with no waiver.
Passport, Visa & Embassy Information
The requirements of obtaining a visa to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah) are that you are not a citizen of Israel, and that your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your arrival. Visit visas, also refered to as tourist visas, are given to individuals who will be spending over 14 days in the UAE.
The UAE maintains an embassy in the United States at 3522 International Court, NW, Washington, DC, 20008 (tel.202-243-2400). The UAE Mission to the UN is located at 747 3rd Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212-371-0480).
The U.S. Embassy in UAE may be reached at PO Box 4009, Abu Dhabi; tel: (971) (2) 414-2200, PAO (971)(2) 414-2522; fax: (971)(2) 414-2603; Commercial Office: (971)(2) 414-2304; fax: (971)(2) 414-2228.
Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are on the Internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries.
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of their passports. This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency.
