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Updated February 2023
With the ease of COVID-19 restrictions, many travellers from around the world are looking forward to visiting the Emirates and delighting in its magnificent attractions and superb travel destinations, including the ones from the Philippines.
Read on to discover Dubai tourist visa requirements for Filipino citizens, how to apply for one, the documents and other requirements, along with the visa cost.
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Dubai tourist visa news
As per the latest development, the Federal Authority for Identification and Citizenship (ICA) of the United Arab Emirates has revealed a list of 15 services that have been upgraded in its smart services system to enhance the services offered to citizens, residents, and visitors.
Some of the key updates are the introduction of a one-time 30-day visa extension service for 90-day visit visas. Furthermore, the updated service is also regarding the extension of the visit visa of a relative or friend on a single trip or multiple trips for a period of 30, 60 and 90 days. Visitors could also expect the updated policy of extending the pre-entry validity of visas
Other updates in the smart system include the service for issuing visas for a family group visiting the UAE for tourism, treatment and accompanying a patient, whether for a single trip or multiple trips for a period of 60 days and 180 days.
Do Filipino residents need a tourist visa to Dubai?
Yes, Filipino residents looking to travel to Dubai would require a tourist visa to enter the UAE, as the Philippines is not a part of the countries eligible for the UAE visa-on-arrival scheme.
In principle, the tourist visa is obtainable by eligible tourists from the Philippines. However, as per the UAE’s official government portal, female travellers below the age of 18 are not eligible to apply for this type of visa unless travelling with their parents.
Also, children under the age of 18 who are accompanying adults are eligible for a free visa for visits made between 15 July and 15 September of each year.
Dubai tourist visa types available for the Filipino residents
The following types of tourist visas are available:
- Tourist visa – valid for 60 days
- Multiple-entry tourist visa – valid for 90 days, extendable to 180 days a year
The validity period of all available tourist visas is 60 days from the date of issuance.
Dubai tourist visa from the Philippines documents required
Generally, the required documents are as follows:
- 6×6 cm photograph in colour (minimum of 600×600 pixels) with a white background (at least 80 per cent of your face must be visible)
- A colour copy of your Filipino passport showing your full name, nationality, date and place of birth, passport number, date of issue and expiry, name of father/legal guardian, and the name of your mother
- Valid passport with at least six months validity at the time of travel
- A copy of the flight ticket of your preferred airline
- Proof of a bank balance of AED 14,700 on their bank account (if applying for multiple entry visa)
Note that depending on the airline, minors and children under the age of 18 may be required to present additional documents such as birth certificates and photo IDs of parents or husbands.
Dubai tourist visa from the Philippines application
The UAE tourist visas are not directly issued to travellers. To obtain one, you would need to apply through the approved airlines, hotels, travel agencies or tour operators.
Arranging your tourist visa through airlines
The requirements and conditions set by an approved airline may vary slightly. One such requirement is naturally for you to be flying with them to your destination. Prices may also vary and are subject to change, so it’s best to check with your airline of choice for the latest prices and requirements. The following are some of the approved airlines.
Arranging your tourist visa through travel agencies and hotels
Please note that the UAE Embassy in Manila, Philippines, does not issue the Dubai tourist visa. The applicant for this type of visa should be sponsored by a person who is presently residing in the UAE.
You can opt to allow your travel agents or your hotel of choice to apply for a tourist visa on your behalf. Note that you would need to ensure that the travel agency or hotel is licensed and authorized by the relevant UAE authorities before providing them with payment or any sort of documents.
You can verify the authenticity of a travel agency or hotel by consulting the UAE embassy in the Philippines.
Book cheap flights to Dubai
The validity of the visa is 60 days from the date of issuance, it allows the holder to stay in the UAE for 30 days from the date of entry, and failure to renew the visa will impose penalties.
Arranging your tourist visa through VFS Global
Filipino tourists can also apply for their Dubai tourist visa through the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Manila, Philippines, which has been trusted by the Government of Dubai in the Philippines, as well as, by Dubai’s flag carrier, Emirates.
To apply for the Dubai tourist visa from the Philippines, follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Complete the online application
Once you have chosen the type of Dubai tourist visa you want to apply for, download the visa application form from the VFS Global website, fill out and complete the form, print the completed form and bring the hard copy with you to the Visa Application Centre, along with the documents required for submission.
Step 2: Pay the visa application fee
After filling up and completing your visa application form, you will need to pay your visa application fee. If you download the form to print and bring it to the Visa Application Centre, payment can be made at the time of your submission.
Please note that you will have to pay the visa fee at the Visa Application Centre in cash or by using credit cards.
Step 3: Submit the visa application form
After filling up and completing your visa application form, you can drop it off at the visa application centre without the need to book any prior appointment.
You can make submission of the completed visa application form at the Visa Application Centre either in person or by your representative. On the day of submission, the applicants will be required to undergo the following requirements:
- Visa applications can be submitted at the centre either by the applicant or by their representative.
- A token is issued to the applicant or their representative (at a few centres, wherever applicable) after which they can proceed to the submission officer’s desk.
- Bring the visa application form duly filled and signed along with coloured photocopies of your Passport Bio & Last page, recent passport size photograph, confirmed return / onward Emirates ticket and other supporting documents as per eligibility criteria.
- Your original passport for verification should have a minimum of two (2) blank pages
- The passport should be valid for six (6) months from the date of travel
- Visa fees can be paid by cash/credit card/demand draft. Upon payment collect the original Invoice cum receipt (ICR) copy from the cash counter.
- After submission, your visa will be delivered to you within 2 to 3 working days on the email ID mentioned in the Visa application form.
Please note that the VFS Visa Application Centre in Manila is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Dubai tourist visa from the Philippines cost
The price for obtaining the Dubai tourist visa depends on the individual airlines and is subject to change. It’s best to consult individual airlines for the latest fees and updates.
But to give you an idea, Emirates Airlines currently charges USD 90 (PHP 5,015) for the short-term single-entry visa and USD 190 (PHP 10,639) for the long-term single-entry tourist visa. Etihad currently charges USD 95 (PHP 5,293) for the short-term single-entry visa and USD 176 (PHP 9,911) for the long-term single-entry tourist visa.
Dubai tourist visa from the Philippines grace period
Filipino tourists and visit visa holders have a grace period of 10 days. Please take care not to overstay your tourist visa, as fines will be levied for those who do after 10 days of the tourist visa expiry date at AED 50 per day. Additionally, you will also be charged for the exit permit issuance, which costs up to AED 300.
Dubai tourist visa from the Philippines tracking
The Filipino applicants will receive an email update when their decision has been returned to the Visa Application Centre. However, if you cannot access email easily or would like more detailed tracking information, you may also be able to get updates by SMS sent directly to your phone. You can check whether this service is available at the Visa Application Centre you are visiting.
Alternatively, you can also track your visa application status online from the DVPC website. To track your visa application, follow the steps given below:
- Enter your Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre
- Enter your passport expiry date.
- Click on ‘Submit’ to view the status of your visa application.
Dubai tourist visa from the Philippines extension
According to the UAE’s new visa rules, all visit visas will now be available for single or multiple entries and will be valid for 60 days from their date of issuance. They can also be renewed for similar periods.
The fee for extending the tourist visa varies slightly according to your preferred airlines, with Emirates currently charging USD 230 (PHP 12,816) for the extension.
As mentioned, Philippine travellers holding a tourist visa will need to leave and re-enter the country to extend their visas and must ensure that the renewal process can be completed before expiry.
If you’re looking to find budget-friendly ways on how you can extend your Dubai & UAE visit visa, please consult our article below.
