The US visa application process from Dubai is often considered daunting, mainly because a lot of people don’t know where to start and the potential pitfalls. In reality, however, this is not the case. Once you know the step-by-step process, you’ll realise that applying for a USA visa from Dubai is quite simple. And we’ve broken the process down for you, let’s take a look.
All UAE passport holders and residents, except those with passports from countries on the US Visa Waiver Program, must apply for a US visa from Dubai to be allowed entry into the United States of America. As a UAE citizen or resident, you need a US visa whether you are travelling to the country for immigration or business/leisure purposes.
If you are a resident of Dubai but a citizen of one of the following countries – you may visit the US after applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). You can find this form online, where you have to pay an application fee of 21 USD.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the USA for leisure and business. You can stay up to 90 days via VWP. Countries on the US VWP include:
You can apply for two main categories of USA visas from Dubai.
Each category has further subcategories that align with various types of applicants and their travel purposes. Knowing what visa you’re applying for is important because your visa application process from Dubai depends on that.
In this post, we are dealing with nonimmigrant visas or the simple USA visit visa from Dubai. This particular visa type has two major subcategories:
The US Business Visa from Dubai is for those who wish to visit the USA for business. The US Tourist Visa from Dubai is for general travel purposes. Once approved, the US visit visa from Dubai allows you to enter and stay in the US for designated periods of time, which is subject to a variety of factors. Now, keep reading to find out how to apply for a USA visit visa from Dubai:
Here is a step-by-step process to apply for a USA visa. We have also detailed USA visit visa requirements from Dubai to help you understand the process.
Anyone who wishes to apply for a US tourist visa or a US business visa (categories B1 and B2) must first complete the online DS-160 application form.
Here’s how you can do that.
Please Note:
The next step in the USA visa application process is to pay the fee and schedule your US visa appointment from Dubai. The US visit visa fee is currently USD 185, approximately AED 680. Please keep in mind that this AED amount is subject to change.
To pay your USA visa fee from Dubai, here’s what you need to do:
Don’t forget to schedule your US visa appointment from Dubai because the embassy will not do it. If you’re applying via a travel agency in Dubai, they may charge you a service fee in addition to the official USA visa fee of USD 185.
To complete your USA visa application in Dubai, you must assemble essential documents that help the consulate/embassy staff evaluate your case. You must submit them just as required to ensure a hassle-free process.
Anyone applying for a US tourist visa must submit the following documents to support their application.
You also need to prove that you have strong ties with your home country (in this case, Dubai). You can prove this with the following documents:
People who have an active job must also have the following documents for USA visa application in Dubai
Attending the interview is the last step of the US visa application process in Dubai. Please note that the interview is compulsory for all visa applicants aged 14 to 79. This is the most important step of the process, so don’t take it casually.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
While you wait for your interview, the consulate staff will take your biometrics. To improve your chances of getting a US visa, you must have the complete set of required documents. Most importantly, be confident and truthfully answer all questions regarding your intended trip.
All US visa applications from Dubai are processed at either the US Consulate General in Dubai or the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The US missions in the UAE are located at the following addresses.
The US visa processing time in Dubai can take from four to six weeks. However, the duration may vary from case to case basis.
The processing time usually depends on the number of visa applications the US Embassy receives at the same time as yours.
If your US visa expired less than four years ago, you can renew it in Dubai. Ideally, you should start the renewal process three months before the visa expires so that you have enough time for renewals. The process for the renewal is similar to applying for a new tourist visa (filling out the D-160 form and submitting it at the consulate).
If your US visa application from Dubai is denied, you can always apply again. Remember that you must pay the US visa fee every time you file an application. The best way to ensure that your US visa is not denied is by producing all the required documentation and completing the form correctly.
Ideally, you should apply for your US tourist visa from Dubai at least eight months before your tentative date of travel. You may get the visa sooner, but given the varying length of visa processing time, it’s always better to plan well ahead.
Yes, all residents and citizens of the UAE can apply to any of the two US missions in the country.
No, it does not. While having a return ticket does count as compelling evidence of your intention to return to the UAE, it does not guarantee a visa. The US Consulate in Dubai strongly advises against purchasing non-refundable air tickets until the visa is stamped on your passport.
Once stamped, your visa will be delivered via a courier service in Dubai. It may take seven to ten working days after the interview for your visa-stamped passport to be delivered. US visa applicants in Dubai must not visit the US Consulate to pick up their passports personally.
You can use your passport number to use the ICA Smart Services portal for visa status checks in the UAE.
That’s all we have for you now. We hope this information helps you get started on your USA visa application from Dubai. Please note that this process only details the specifics of a US tourist visa application and its process. However, the USA’s international tourism trends keep changing, so it is advised to keep yourself familiar with the changes before planning a trip.
The process for an immigration visa is different and more complex. Thankfully, there are companies offering immigration services in Dubai to help you get through the process with greater ease. You can also book an appointment at the foreign embassies in the UAE for specific matters.
Did you know that there are certain US cities you can fly to directly from Dubai? These include New York, Houston, LA and Seattle.
Planning to visit Japan? The visa application process from Dubai to Japan is fairly simple. UAE nationals can travel to Japan visa-free for up to 30 days. If you’re a UAE resident, you can apply for an eVisa.
