Greater part of Nigerian citizens desires to visit Dubai for a longer business trip and for holidays. However, with the numerous laws of Dubai, it is not easy to get the visa for visiting Dubai. It has led to lots of misconceptions about the process, which makes it difficult for the citizens to understand how it works. Some think that their live must be threatened in order to ease up the probability of getting a Dubai visa, while some are on the point of giving up without knowing what they are standing up against. We will base our discussion today on – AA. But, other resources which you can find on our website include some frequently asked questions such as: cost of living in dubai vs nigeria and nigerian community in dubai

Dubai Visa In Nigeria Quora

I’ve been living in Dubai for a few years now and if you’re interested in getting a UAE visa, this post will be useful. I know from experience that it can be very frustrating and confusing more so for people only familiar with working visas like the Schengen visa.Should You Get Dubai Visa In Nigeria If You Are A Nigerian.This Is A Question That Many Nigerians Are Asking Themselves Nowadays.

Quora QnA: What do consular officers type on their system when a visa is refused?

What do consular officers type on their system when a visa is refused?

1. In a US consulate, consular officers make notes in the case file that states the exact legal section of the law under which the visa was denied. Most usual is section 214b, which means that the applicant has not, in the opinion of the consul, overcome the supposition that the applicant is an intending immigrant to the United States or has not convinced the consul that the visa that is sought would be used for the purpose intended and that the applicant would go and return from the USA according to the rules of that visa. Other times, there is a very specific code-defined under the immigration law-, that disqualify the applicant and that many entail a period of time in which the applicant is ineligible to apply for another visa or may be permanently barred from doing so. These can be things like previous overstays of visas in the US, evidence of criminal record in the home country or in the US, or fraud such as presenting fake documents. Finally, there is some space to be free form and the consul can make some notes about why the applicant was denied. These notes stay within the system and will be seen by the officers who interview the applicant in the future.Answer by Eric Gregory
2. Consular officers enter exactly what Eric Gregory said they enter in his detailed and totally accurate answer: notes on the interview that are immediately available on the entire consular operating system worldwide. I would only add that they do the same for applicants that they issue visas to, as well.Answer by Kathryn Berck

If your application is successful

You’ll be given either:

• a sticker (called a vignette) that goes in your passport – if you gave your biometric information at a visa application centre
• access to view your immigration status information online – if you used the smartphone app to prove your identity

The vignette or online immigration status information will show:

• what you’ve been granted (for example, a Student visa)
• the dates your visa is valid (start date and end date)
• the conditions of your visa

Your visa conditions

The conditions say what you can and cannot do in the UK. For example, they might say:

• ‘No access to public funds’ – you cannot claim benefits
• ‘No work’ – you cannot take paid or unpaid work in the UK
• ‘Restricted work’ – you can only work for your sponsor

You’ll also be told if you need to register your personal details with the UK police.

Getting your vignette

If the visa application centre kept your passport, they’ll either: 

• send it to you with the vignette inside – if you paid for this service when you applied
• ask you to collect the passport and vignette

If you kept your passport, you’ll need to take it to the visa application centre to collect your vignette.

If you’re a national of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates and you applied for an electronic visa waiver this permission is sent to you electronically (you do not receive a vignette).

If there’s an error in your vignette

If you notice an error in your vignette, you should contact your visa application centre immediately to correct it before you come to the UK.

If you notice the error after you’ve arrived in the UK, you must report it to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) within 3 months of arriving or you’ll need to make a new application.

Getting a biometric residence permit

If you get a vignette and you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months then you have to collect a biometric residence permit (BRP) after you arrive.

You must do this before the vignette sticker expires or within 10 days of arriving in the UK, whichever is later.

You choose where to collect your BRP from during your application.

When you get your BRP, check the details are correct. If your name is long it may appear ‘cut off’. This is not a mistake – it is because there is limited space on the BRP card. However, if there’s a spelling mistake, you must report it.

You need to report any errors in your BRP within 10 days of collecting it.

If you get access to your immigration status information online

You’ll be able to view your immigration status information online. You can also use the online service to share your immigration status information with others, for example employers or universities.

Some government organisations and public authorities will be able to access your immigration status information, for example when you travel through the UK border.

You will not get a vignette or a BRP.

If your application is refused

You’ll get a letter or an email explaining why your application was refused.

Your passport will be returned, if it was kept as part of your application.

Your refusal letter will explain if you have the right to either an:

• administrative review

What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Dubai

• Connect with fellow expats in Dubai
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Relocating to Dubai

• Some companies are entitled to GDFRA-D online services for help getting visas so check with them before battling through the process alone.
• Register for your NIC when applying for your visa.
• Transport is readily available and the Nol card covers all public transportation.

Prior to the worldwide economic crisis, many multinational corporations considered moving to Dubai or opening a field office there to gain an economic advantage. Despite the downturn, Dubai has lost little of its attractions: Plenty of foreign companies and international financial institutions still decide to relocate there.

Dry Heat and Deserts

Sharing its main geographical features with the neighboring emirates of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, Dubai also has a hot climate with little rainfall throughout the year but high humidity on the coast. In summer, you may face temperatures of up to 45°C. However, settling down in Dubai does not mean having to flee your new home in those hot and humid summer months. Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and public transportation are all air-conditioned.

Foreigners moving to Dubai may be overwhelmed by the one dominant feature of its landscape: the desert. As opposed to its southerly neighbor Abu Dhabi, Dubai has no natural oases or bodies of water. However, the city has a natural inlet or creek dividing it into a western and an eastern part (Deira). Despite having been dredged, the creek is still rather large, so that the quickest way of moving to Dubai City from Deira is by boat.

Visit or Visa?

Entering the emirate on a visit visa is no problem if you are traveling to Dubai as a citizen of one of the 46 countries eligible to receive a visit visa upon arrival. Nationals from other states need to find a UAE citizen or resident who will sponsor them. The same is the case for expats moving to Dubai for work. Employment visas should always be arranged for with the help of your employer.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA-D) is responsible for all visa enquiries concerning expats. It has many branches throughout the city with opening hours from 7:30 to 20:00, however some branches do not open until 8:00 and some close at 14:30. For queries and complaints after moving to Dubai, the department offers the Amer Service, a phone hotline for GDRFA-D customer support.

Please remember that, if you want to sponsor your family on your own residency visa, you need to show proof of a rental contract in your name or that of your company. This serves to ensure that you are able to provide accommodation for your family. Without this contract, you will not be allowed to act as a sponsor for your family.

Employment Visa

Local companies whose foreign employees move to Dubai benefit from GDRFA-D online services. Companies can print entry permits directly without having to visit the GDRFA-D in person. Keep in mind that visa regulations can change. Therefore, it is best to contact your nearest UAE consulate or embassy before your move to find out about current regulations.

Once the employment visa has been sorted out, you need to apply for additional documents. It is mandatory for expats to get a health card and a residence permit upon their move to Dubai. Your employer must also apply for your e-card and e-contract within 60 days following your arrival.

Customs and Registration in Dubai

National Identity Card

The National Identity Card (NIC) was introduced in 2006. With its advanced ID features, it should soon replace labor cards, passports, and other forms of identification for Emiratis and expats in Dubai. When the card was first introduced, registration was only possible for Emiratis and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) citizens in the UAE. Now registration is also open to immigrant workers and expatriates.

As of September 2010, it is also mandatory for children of 15 years and above to register for a National Identity Card. The Emirates ID Card is now directly linked to a residence visa application, making the whole process a lot simpler for expats. To register for a National Identity Card, you have to take the following steps:

1. Visit one of the many authorized typing centers and complete the e-form. After that, you have to pay the administrative fees for registration and service.
2. You will then receive a text message with the date and place to have your photograph and fingerprints taken.
3. Go to the EIDA service mentioned in your text message, and do not forget to bring your passport.
4. Have your photograph, your biometric information and your fingerprints taken.
5. You will receive your National Identity Card in the mail.

Entering through Dubai’s Airport

Expats moving to Dubai will enjoy the advantages of the Middle East’s travel hub, too. With two international harbors, two international airports and its own airline, Dubai is a popular destination for expats and tourists alike. Dubai International Airport caters to the needs of over 60 million passengers per year. Here, more than 130 airlines connect over 200 destinations.

If you want to make your arrival easier, you can book the Marhaba service for a faster progress through the passport controls at the airport. For a small fee, an airport employee will meet you upon arrival to walk you through the controls, take you to the baggage claim area and help you with ground control.

Customs Regulations

Expats and visitors to Dubai need to be aware of current customs regulations before they enter the country.

Certain items, such as all kinds of narcotic drugs, are prohibited. The same applies to certain kinds of medication. If you regularly need to take a certain type of prescription medicine, make sure to bring a prescription or a medical certificate from a UAE-licensed practitioner. You should not import more than a personal supply to see you through for a period of three months.

Other prohibited items might include:

• poppy seeds, qat leaf, betel leaf or nuts, niswar (a kind of chewing tobacco) and gutkha (an Indian preparation of chewing tobacco and betel nuts)
• pornographic material
• non-Islamic religious pamphlets
• fireworks
• ivory and rhinoceros horn
• endangered animal species
• weapons and ammunition
• chemical and organic fertilizers
• gambling tools
• any objects that do not adhere to the religious and moral values of the UAE

Transportation in Dubai

The Modern Metro

Since 2009, the Roads and Transport Authority has been operating two different metro lines in Dubai, the red line and the green line. Those two lines take very different routes and stop at different destinations, offering people an alternative to the car. With special cabins for women and children, as well as a silver class and a gold class, the metro is a comfortable and modern way to commute.

Passengers pay their fares by purchasing a ticket, the Nol card. Nol cards come in 4 categories: red for tourists and visitors, blue for regular users, silver for occasional travelers and gold for individuals wanting to travel in the Metro Gold Class cabins. You can plan your journey by using RTA Wojhati (journey planner). It helps you to plan your route, taking not only the Dubai metro but also other public transport options into account.

On the Road

Aside from cars, taxis are the most popular mode of transportation in Dubai. You can catch a taxi in public places anywhere in Dubai or book in advance. An online booking and reservation service is available. Women who feel uncomfortable or unsafe with male drivers can book so-called “pink taxis” with female drivers.

An alternative to taxis are buses. Dubai’s bus services connect different residential, industrial and business districts. Passengers can also make use of night buses and inter-emirates buses. Only recently, Dubai has established air-conditioned bus stops to make waiting for the bus more comfortable for commuters.

As is the case with the metro, bus fares are paid by purchasing a Nol card before entering the bus. They are available at Dubai metro stations, several bus stations as well as RTA outlets. Dubai is divided into 5 zones and fares vary, depending on the destination.

Taking the Water Route

To travel on water or to cross the creek, you can use abras, traditional wooden boats with motors. They can be chartered for cruising along the creek for 100 AED per hour. Commuters, however, often use water buses, operated by the RTA marine agency. There are five different routes for commuters at 2 AED to 5 AED per person. Payment is made via the Nol card as well.

In addition, Dubai has launched a water taxi service in July 2010. Water taxis can transport up to 11 passengers and are equipped with ramp access, LCD screens, air-conditioned cabins and other luxuries. Unlike water buses and abras, they can leave the creek and navigate the waters of the gulf.

Water taxis connect many different locations, such as Deira Old Souk or Jebel Ali Golf resort, running from 10:00 to 22:00. Passengers have to book rides with the water taxi in advance by calling RTA or via their hotel service staff. The price is agreed upon when the passenger makes the booking.