15 hour stopover in dubai...question about visa..
Dec 20, 2011, 9:02 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Toronto
Programs: Skywards-Gold, SPG-Platinum
Posts: 162
Did this yesterday... followed these steps
1. Had to collect a paper STPC from my local Emirates office after confirming the booking with their customer service
2. Landed at Dubai, followed gomurad's instructions, worked perfectly
What all need to know is how incredibly slow the lines move. Once I was done with the "fee paid" sticker at the bank, I discovered that the lines for the iris scan and later immigration are very slow moving. Immigration guys were a lot busier chatting than clearing people in the line.
Anyway, once I reached the hotel and checked in, I did meet a friend outside. There was absolutely no restriction on my movement.
1. Had to collect a paper STPC from my local Emirates office after confirming the booking with their customer service
2. Landed at Dubai, followed gomurad's instructions, worked perfectly
What all need to know is how incredibly slow the lines move. Once I was done with the "fee paid" sticker at the bank, I discovered that the lines for the iris scan and later immigration are very slow moving. Immigration guys were a lot busier chatting than clearing people in the line.
Anyway, once I reached the hotel and checked in, I did meet a friend outside. There was absolutely no restriction on my movement.
Dec 21, 2011, 10:01 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: USA
Programs: SQ PPS SOLITAIRE, AA ,HHONOR GOLD, BONVOY GOLD, IHG PLAT
Posts: 2,041
The people at the immigration (inbound and outbound) and iris scan counters seem to be even more busy texting or emailing on their phones. I sometimes wonder if they even pay attention to what they are doing. This is a phenomenon I have only witnessed in Dubai.
Dec 21, 2011, 10:10 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: AUS / DXB
Programs: BA Silver | AA LT Gold | EY Silver | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,838
I don't miss dealing with immigration. Thank god for E-Gate cards.
Dec 21, 2011, 9:46 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,661
Landed at 0613 and just got to my hotel at Festival City at 0845. Usually, I can be at the hotel in under an hour.
Dec 28, 2011, 1:57 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AA LT Plat, AC 25K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,137
Similar Q, Canadian citizen flying KHI-DXB-XXX with a slightly greater than 8h forced stopover in DXB. I guess I will need to pick up the STPC voucher from the EK office in KHI, and the visa will be processed on arrival in DXB - i.e. no need to apply online beforehand, correct?
A week later, I will be back in DXB on a visa arranged by a local company (since I am departing from AUH on EY, could not use EK-arranged visa). I assume the local company should not arrange my visa until I have left DXB the first time?
A week later, I will be back in DXB on a visa arranged by a local company (since I am departing from AUH on EY, could not use EK-arranged visa). I assume the local company should not arrange my visa until I have left DXB the first time?
Last edited by nabeelj; Dec 28, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Dec 28, 2011, 3:04 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,661
Bottom line - don't arrange your UAE visa until you've exited the UAE successfully on any previous trips/transits.
Dec 28, 2011, 4:06 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York, Atlanta, Amsterdam, KSAV
Programs: QR Gold, EK, Accor, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold VIP, Delta
Posts: 422
Kuwait is worse, and not just immigration. That phenomenon is throughout the entire country.
Dec 29, 2011, 12:47 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 4
GREAT thread guys, tons of great info. Am in the same situation and google led me here.
So far information provided has answered 90% of my concerns, as I have slight wrinkle in my situation.
I am flying from YYZ-DXB-CCU, round trip. My stop over in DXB for both outbound and inbound is more than 8 hours. Emirates is providing me with complimentary hotel and stop over visa.
I have been reading that immigration does not allow two visas, since I will be holding two stop over visa courtesy of Emirates will I have problems?
Or, it will not be a issue because my 2nd stop over visa (inbound) is not yet officially a visa yet as still is in the form of STPC voucher?
I am Canadian citizen if it matters.
Thank you for helping.
So far information provided has answered 90% of my concerns, as I have slight wrinkle in my situation.
I am flying from YYZ-DXB-CCU, round trip. My stop over in DXB for both outbound and inbound is more than 8 hours. Emirates is providing me with complimentary hotel and stop over visa.
I have been reading that immigration does not allow two visas, since I will be holding two stop over visa courtesy of Emirates will I have problems?
Or, it will not be a issue because my 2nd stop over visa (inbound) is not yet officially a visa yet as still is in the form of STPC voucher?
I am Canadian citizen if it matters.
Thank you for helping.
Last edited by diehardfan; Dec 29, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Dec 29, 2011, 7:48 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 4
One more question, I don't need to send Emirates a scan of my photo, passport or any other documents for this visa right?
Thanks
Dec 30, 2011, 7:05 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,661
The STPC visa requires nothing more than the Emirates sponsorship voucher, the tax paid sticker and the eye-scan stamp. All of this is done in the arrivals hall at DXB Airport.
Jan 1, 2012, 10:29 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 4
Jan 2, 2012, 8:33 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AA LT Plat, AC 25K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,137
i.e. does the EK-sponsored transit visa invoke the "30 day ban"?
Jan 2, 2012, 8:42 am
#29
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,661
This scenario is not applicable to transit visas for obvious reasons.
Jan 13, 2012, 4:15 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: TK Elite Plus, IC Plat Ambassador, HH Diamond
Posts: 921
Do I need a visa if I do not leave the airport? I am planning a MR on United to DXB, arriving around 20:45 with the return flight departing about 4 hours later. Will I have to clear immigration or is there an international transfer desk where I just check in for my return flight. Will I need a visa? I am Canadian and we do not get visa's on arrival.
Thanks,
Thanks,