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A guide to gaining an entry permit to visit Abu Dhabi this summer

Summers in Abu Dhabi are never boring.

The capital city of the United Arab Emirates is home to several attractions that offer a variety of exciting activities and experiences. These include Yas Island, which features three of the top theme parks in the country, an incredible beach and marina, and a world-class race track and golf course.

Abu Dhabi’s beautiful beaches are the perfect spots for different fun water sports and activities, including snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing, and kitesurfing.

The emirate’s stunning deserts are also teeming with adventure-packed activities, such as dune bashing, sand surfing, and camel and horse riding.

If you’re looking to unwind and immerse yourself in culture, you won’t be disappointed by the experiences you can find in this city.

But before you can take part in these experiences, you have to be allowed to enter Abu Dhabi.

For this reason, you would do well to know the entry procedures to Abu Dhabi before you start making plans to visit this city.

Gaining entry to Abu Dhabi
If you’re planning to visit Abu Dhabi this summer, take note of the details and tips below to have a trouble-free arrival in the city:

1. You need a visit visa to enter Abu Dhabi
If you’re going to Abu Dhabi for a holiday, the first thing you have to do is find out if you need to get a visit or tourist visa before your trip or if you can obtain one upon your arrival.

Certain nationalities do not need a visit visa before flying to Abu Dhabi. You can see a list of these countries on Visit Abu Dhabi’s website.

If you are a citizen of any of the countries on the list, you don’t have to apply for a tourist visa in your home country. You can obtain a 30- or 90-day visa at the Abu Dhabi International Airport for free upon your arrival.

However, if you are a citizen of a country not included on this list, you need to apply for a prearranged tourist visa before you travel.

If you are booking your trip through a travel agency, they can likely help you obtain a visit visa before you travel.

Some three-, four- and five-star hotels may also be able to assist you with your entry visa application. If you are still looking for accommodation, ask a staff member if they can help you with this.

Find out if you can also apply for an entry permit on the websites of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

To be sure you can enter Abu Dhabi without any hassle, know beforehand if you need to apply for a visa before you travel or if you can get one at the airport upon your arrival.

2. Know the requirements to obtain a prearranged tourist visa
If you need to apply for an entry visa to Abu Dhabi before travelling, ensure you have all the requirements for a successful application.

The most important requirement you need is a passport, which should be valid for at least three months at the time of your application.

You have to prepare a coloured copy of your passport and a coloured photo as well.

Once you have these requirements, you have to complete the visa application form on the mentioned websites. You can also request a copy of this from your travel agent or a representative from the hotel where you’ll be staying in Abu Dhabi and ask for their assistance in filling out the form.

Be prepared to pay for the visa when you submit your application. Tourist visas range from 48 hours to 90 days and the cost depends on the duration of your stay and allowed times of entry (single or multiple).

Before applying, you would do well to prepare your itinerary to know how long you’ll stay in Abu Dhabi. Obtaining a short term (30-day) multiple entry visa isn’t cost-effective if you plan to stay here for only three or four days.

In this instance, a 96-hour tourist visa is your best option.

3. Apply for a vaccine pass if you have already been vaccinated
If you are already fully vaccinated, you don’t have to take a PCR test before or upon your arrival in Abu Dhabi. You only need to present a vaccine pass.

To get a vaccine pass, follow these steps:

  • Complete the Register Arrivals and Vaccination Certificates Attestation form on the ICA website or app, which you can download from the Apple Store, GooglePlay, Samsung Store, and AppGallery.
  • Attach your vaccination certificate or documents, double-check the form, and send it for review.
  • Wait for an SMS regarding the result of your application. If it is approved, the text message will include a link to download the Alhosn app.

You will receive a Unified Identification (UID) number when you arrive at the Abu Dhabi airport or through the ICA website or app. You have to register this code and the contact number you used during your ICA registration on the Alhosn app.

Wait for the one-time password (OTP) to complete your Alhosn registration.

You can use the Alhosn app to check your status, vaccination information, and the QR code you were issued.

If you are fully vaccinated, you will likely get a green pass. With this pass, you can enter numerous public places in Abu Dhabi, including malls, restaurants, museums, sports and recreational facilities, entertainment centres, and other attractions.

4. Prepare your itinerary
Ensure your smooth entry to Abu Dhabi continues throughout your visit here by creating an itinerary.

Your itinerary should contain details about the places you plan to visit and the activities you want to do during your trip here.

Try to buy tickets to theme parks and other popular destinations in advance to skip the long queues and have more time enjoying the rides and attractions.

Additionally, make reservations at restaurants, cafes, spas, and other places you want to visit before your flight, if possible.

Don’t forget to finalise your hotel reservation before your travel as well.

Creating an itinerary ensures you get the most out of your visit to Abu Dhabi this summer and helps you stay within your budget.

If it’s your first time to visit Abu Dhabi, keep this guide in mind (it also helps to check out the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office) to have an enjoyable, exciting, and memorable summer holiday in the UAE’s biggest, most vibrant and exciting city.

News Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | + Posts

Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

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