US Visa for UAE Residents: How to Apply for a US Visa From Dubai?

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Updated October 2024

A great American experience has many facets, as anyone who has visited the United States will tell you. From major cities whose mere mention evokes countless cultural, culinary, and leisure references to miles of impeccably maintained highways passing through arid deserts, ancient redwood forests, and golden wheat fields spanning the horizon, there is no shortage of cultural, culinary, and leisure options.

For Dubai residents looking to travel to the States, here are all the visa requirements

Do Dubai travelers need a visa to visit the US?

Yes, residents of the UAE require a visa to travel to the US. UAE nationals are not currently eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). 

Available US visas for UAE residents

The US offers numerous types of visas. Visit and employment visas are the most commonly issued ones.

Visitor visa

The US visitor visa allows holders to visit and stay in the US for a maximum period of six months. 

Business visa (B-1)

This type of visa is reserved for travelers looking to visit the US and engage in business meetings and negotiations, attend conferences and fairs, and draw up contracts.

Tourist visa (B-2)

The tourist visa allows holders to enter the US for leisure-related activities. This includes vacationing, visiting friends or relatives, undergoing medical treatments, and participating in social events. 

Work visa

The work/employment visa allows holders to temporarily work in the US as lawful non-immigrants. The validity of the US work visa depends on the length of the employment contract and can be valid for up to six years. 

How to apply for a US visa from Dubai?

Dubai travelers planning to travel to the US must first apply for their visa at the Consulate General of the United States in Dubai or the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Please find the address of the US consulate general in Dubai below:

US consulate Dubai
Al Seef Rd. and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Rd
P.O. Box : 121777 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
+971-4-309-4000, +971-4-311-6166

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To start your US visa application, please follow the steps below.

Complete the online visa application

• You must fill out the Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 
• Upon completion, please print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• Upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the photograph requirements

Schedule an interview

Please note that you must proactively schedule your interview after completing the DS-160, as the US embassy or consulate will not do so for you. To schedule an interview, please contact your nearest US embassy or consulate.

All applicants are generally required to attend an interview, with certain limited exceptions for applicants aged 13 and younger and 80 and older.

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early.

Pay the visa application fee

You must pay a non-refundable visa application fee of USD 185 (AED 680). 

To pay the required fee, follow these steps:

• Visit the official US Department of State Visa Appointment Service portal
• Register and create your account
• Provide your DS-160 confirmation number
• Pay the required fee as prompted 

Gather required documentation

Before attending your visa interview, make sure to gather and prepare the following required documents:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States. Must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States. Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport
• Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
• Photo. Upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

Additional documentation

Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip,
• Your intent to depart the United States after your trip and/or
• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip

Attend your visa interview

You will be interviewed to determine whether or not you are qualified to receive a US visa. To do this, you must establish that you meet the requirements under US law to obtain a visa.  

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. If this is required, the consular officer will inform you.

How much does US visa cost for Dubai travelers?

There is a non-refundable processing fee of USD 185 (AED 680). If your application is approved and your visa issued, travelers from Dubai and the UAE are exempt from paying the issuance fee.