I heard a lot of people saying that going to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Dubai is easy. They say you can easily get a visa plus the processing time is very fast like you can get it in just one day. Well, that wasn’t the case for me as I got rejected the first time I applied for it. I was sad and I thought I wouldn’t be able to go with my sisters. Luckily, my sister applied for another one, in another embassy and got the visa approved in just one day. Mind you, she applied for the visa on Friday and we got the approval on Saturday. The processing time was really fast.

What's Included?

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How to Get Your Visa?

My sister, our sponsor got our Visit Visa via an agency called FISHTAiL Travel & Tourism in Dubai. The agency took care of everything and we just submitted our requirements and paid for it. We got 4 visas, 3 for a 1-month visa and I applied for a 3-month visa since I am planning to stay there longer since I can work remotely unlike my other sisters. Their visa got approved immediately while mine was rejected. We don’t know the reason, it just says “non-compliant”.

Since I don’t want to be left at home and miss our #SistersGoalsGala, we decided to get another visa, via the same agency but in Sharjah this time as suggested by the agency, and it got approved immediately.

Visa Requirements

For the visa, we just gave a copy of our passport and ID photo to our sister. Take note that your passport should not be expiring within the next 6 months.

The requirements are more tedious for the sponsor/guarantor and less for the visitor. But just in case, we prepared everything to avoid being offloaded at the airport.

These are the requirements we prepared for our flight to Dubai.

For the Sponsor:

1. Passport Copy
2. Birth Certificate (Original PSA & photocopy)
3. UAE Residence Copy
4. Active OWWA or OEC
5. Salary Certificate
6. Labor Contract
7. 6 Months Payslip Copy

For the Passenger:

1. Passport with Photocopy
2. Birth Certificate (Original PSA & photocopy)
3. Valid IDs
4. Letter of Guarantee from the Company
5. Certificate of Employment
6. Two-way Ticket
7. Approved Visa
8. COVID-19 Insurance/Travel Insurance
9. Hotel Accommodation Booking
10. Vaccine Certificate or the VaxCertPH
11. Travel Itinerary

We flew via Emirates and PCR Test was a requirement before. Luckily, they removed that requirement a week before our flight. Please take note that requirements differ for each airline so, make sure to check it on their website.

As a freelancer, I asked for a Certificate of Employment from one of my clients and I printed out my contracts just in case the immigration asked for it.

For those flying to Dubai without a sponsor, requirements differ a little bit so, make sure to check the requirements. If you are planning to get your visa using an agency, they will inform you of the requirements but make sure to always double-check everything so there will be no problem.

Other requirements

1. Bank Certificate
2. Copy of Income Tax Return (ITR)

Here are the details of the agency that processed our visa:

FISHTAiL Travel & Tourism
Telephone No.: +971 4 3590033
E-mail: fishtaildxb@gmail.com
Website: www.gltuae.com

Immigration

At the immigration, it was quite a breeze for us except for our youngest sister. She was asked to stay there longer and was asked to fill out a form. The form, basically just asks about the details of her travel. As for me, I was asked to present a photocopy of my sister’s passport, our booked hotel accommodation, my flight tickets, and my visa. My other sister was asked to present our travel itinerary and other documents as well. Documents that will be asked by the immigration officer vary, better prepare all your requirements in print since they do not allow the use of mobile phones there. PRINT EVERYTHING TO BE SURE!

Disclaimer: This was based on our experience. Travel requirements change from time to time, especially during this time of COVID-19. You should check the official website of the UAE Embassy, the Philippine Embassy, and the airline company you are flying with for the updated regulations. If you will be processing your visa using an agency, they will inform you of the requirements you must prepare. Also, make sure that the agency you will be using is legitimate to prevent scams or other unfortunate events.

Flight to Dubai International Airport

We booked our flight a month before. We are lucky to get a two-way ticket below Php 30,000 with Emirates. Now, the flight tickets with Emirates are much more expensive.

Since my 3-month visa was rejected, I had to rebook my ticket to match my sister’s return ticket. Rebooking a ticket was free but I had to pay for the flight difference which cost me around Php 11,000, which made my ticket more expensive. I have an option to just cancel my ticket and get a cheaper one with Cebu Pacific but I opted to fly with my sisters and just paid for the rebooking fee. It was a less hassle on my end too since I was already stressed out with my visa rejection.

Please take note that the rebooking fee, terms, and conditions vary from airline to airline so double-check with your airline first to avoid unnecessary charges.

Get Cheaper Flights Going to Dubai!

You can get cheaper flights going to Dubai by searching well. You can check each airline going to Dubai from the Philippines which are Emirates, Cebu Pacific, and Etihad Airways among others. But it is easier to use other websites/apps comparing flights like Skyscanner, and Fare Compare. Skyscanner is my go-to website/app when looking for flights.

Another way to get the best flight is to check for promotions from each airline. Become a member of that airline and earn points as well when traveling.

If you don’t have your visa yet, also check the terms and conditions of each airline so that it won’t be a hassle to rebook a flight in case you need to.

Going Back to Manila from Dubai

There’s a different requirement going back to Manila. This also changes from time to time especially during this pandemic so make sure to double-check with the airline you are flying with and the requirements of the Philippines.

Dubai to Manila: Our Flight Prep Checklist for a Smooth Journey

1. Passport
2. Approved Visa
3. Negative PCR test result
4. One Health Pass
5. Vaccine Certificate or the VaxCertPH

To get One Health Pass, just visit, www.onehealthpass.com.ph and fill out the information. Take note that you cannot complete this if you don’t have a negative PCR test result yet. The PCR test should be taken 48 hours before your flight.

There are free PCR tests in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain area but they are mobile and they move from one place to another. If you have friends there, you can ask them if they know about this. Or you can simply go to accredited PCR testing laboratories and pay for the test.

Disclaimer: This was based on our experience. Travel requirements change from time to time, especially during this time of COVID-19. You should check with the airline company you are flying with for the updated regulations. Always double-check!

Excited about your trip? Plan your itinerary well and check out these food trip destinations in UAE.

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