Visiting Dubai

Approximately 2 Billion people around the world are awaiting for the grand inauguration of the World's Tallest Man Made structure. All preparations have been completed and two High definition mobile production units equipped with the state-of-the-art equipment will be on location with teams to cover the event.

The inauguration of the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties marks the fourth anniversary of the Accession Day of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the Ruler of Dubai.

The Burj Dubai skyscraper is a world-class destination and the magnificent centerpiece of Downtown Burj Dubai, Dubai's new urban masterpiece.  The world's tallest building is surrounded by hotels , must-visit shopping destinations  and a world of entertainment options. It will be officially open on January 4, 2010 by no less than His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Here are some notable facts about the Burj Dubai

• 95 - the distance in kilometres at which Burj Dubai’s spire can still be seen

• 124 - the floor location of ‘At The Top, Burj Dubai’, the world’s highest and only publicly accessible observation deck with an outdoor terrace

• 160 - the number of luxury hotel rooms and suites

• 605 - the vertical height in metres to which concrete was pumped in the construction of Burj Dubai, a world record for concrete pumping

• 504 - the distance travelled, or ‘rise’, in metres of Burj Dubai’s main service lift, the most of any elevator

• 49 - the number of office floors, including the 12-floor annexure

• 57 - the number of elevators

• 1,044 - the total number of residential apartments

• 3,000 - the number of underground parking spaces

• 5,500 - the capacity in kilogrammes of the tower’s service lift

• 31,400 - the amount of steel rebar in metric tonnes used in the structure of the Burj Dubai

• 8,261 - the number of glass cladding panels making up the exterior of tower and its two annexes

• 19 - the number of hectares of green landscaping that envelops the foot of the tower

• 12,000 - the numbers of workers on site during peak of construction

 

If you are coming to Dubai and you don't know anybody here, there is nothing to worry about. There are thousands of hotels to choose from depending on the places you want to see and of course on your budget.  Keep on reading this blog as I will feature some of the best hotels in Dubai.

The Burj Al Arab Hotel- the first and the only 7* hotel in the world. A luxury hotel located in Dubai. At 321 m (1,050 ft), it is the second tallest building in the world used exclusively as a hotel. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.

Here is the list of the visa fees if you plan to visit Dubai.

GCC nationals are not require to get a visa to visit UAE. However, they are require to produce valid GCC country passport upon arrival at the point of entry into the UAE.

The following categories of visitors may receive their visit visa at the airport, upon arrival.

1. A GCC Residents who are not GCC nationals but who have a high professional status such as company managers, business people, auditors, accountants, doctors, engineers, pharmacists, or employees working in the public sector, their families, drivers and personal staff sponsored by them, are eligible for a non-renewable 30-day visa upon arrival at the approved ports of entry.

2. National citizens of the following countries:

UK(with the right of abode in UK), France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and holders of Hong Kong SAR passports will be granted a free of charge visa for a single visit upon arrival in the UAE. It should be noted that this list may vary slightly from time to time and it is therefore best to check with your local UAE embassy or the airline that you are using to fly to the UAE.

If you do NOT fall into one of the above categories, you will require a visa and a sponsor for your visit. The sponsor normally applies for the visa on your behalf. Valid sponsors may be as follows:-
a - Hotels & Tourist Companies can apply, on your behalf, for a Tourist Visa (valid for 30 days); or a Service Visa (valid for 14 days); or a Visit Visa (valid for 30 days and can be extended for other 30 days)
b - Airlines & Airlines Handlers apply on behalf of their crew members for a 96-hour Transit Visa.
c - Other Organizations based in the UAE may only apply for Visit Visas and Service Visas.
d - Individuals (Relatives or Friends) already resident in the UAE may, subject to guidlines, also apply on your behalf for a Visit Visa.

Requirements for obtaining a visit visa for Dubai vary depending on your nationality. GCC citizens do not require a visa to enter Dubai, and citizens of 33 other countries can get a visa on arrival at Dubai International Airport. Nationalities not in this list can get a 30 day tourist visa sponsored by a local entity, such as a hotel or tour operator, and this should be obtained before entry into Dubai.

In general, visit visas are valid for 30 days but can be extended for a further 30 days by paying a fee of Dhs.600 at the Department of Immigration and Naturalisation (plus a Dhs.20 delivery fee). However, for certain nationalities, the 30 day visit visa is non-renewable and these visitors should exit Dubai before their visa expires.

Multiple-entry visas are available for visitors who have links with local businesses that require them to visit regularly. Multiple-entry visas are valid for visits of a maximum of 14 days each time, for six months from date of issue. It costs Dhs.2,100 (plus Dhs.20 delivery fee) and should be applied for after entering the UAE on a visit visa.

Visitors travelling through Dubai in transit, a special transit visa is available free of charge through certain airlines. It is valid for 96 hours.

It is important to remember that visa laws can change frequently, and therefore it is always advised that you check with the UAE Embassy in your home country before you travel.