United Arab Emirates visa — Cameroon passport

Good to know

Tourist visa

• Verify the authenticity of the agencyConditions and details

  The official portal recommends verifying the authenticity of the travel agency and not paying anything or sending a copy of official documents before being certain; the Emirates embassy in your country can help with this verification.
• Durations according to the visa; procedures and fees specific to DubaiConditions and details

  The ICP indicates tourist stays of 30, 60 or 90 days according to the visa. In Dubai, the tourist visa service pages sponsored by a tourism establishment provide for 30 or 60 days. The GDRFA indicates that the total fees may vary according to the situation, with supplements if the applicant is already in the Emirates and without a deposit for this visa. The duration granted is that of the visa issued.
• Announced time frameThe ICP indicates a time frame of 48 hours once all conditions are met. This time frame is the one displayed by the authority, not a guarantee.
• Extension at the discretion of the authorityAccording to the ICP, most visas may be extended one or more times at the discretion of the authority, without exceeding the total duration permitted for the visa type.
• Overstaying is penalizedThe official portal reminds applicants that a fine applies in the event of overstaying the duration of stay; the amounts are shown on the ICP and Dubai GDRFA services.
• Lists that may changeConditions and details

  The official portal states that the passport must be valid for at least six months on entry and that the lists of countries eligible for the visa on arrival may vary: check with the UAE embassy before departure.
• 5-year tourist visa: a separate productConditions and details

  The 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa, without a sponsor, is a separate product, not covered by this procedure. It allows stays of 90 days per visit, with extension possible at the discretion of the authority, within the limit of 180 days per year indicated by the ICP. U.AE requires a bank balance of 4 000 USD over the last six months, health insurance valid for 180 days and a return or onward ticket.

Student visa

• Who can sponsor the studentConditions and details

  A student may stay in the Emirates for their studies under the sponsorship of a parent residing in the Emirates or under that of the university or approved institution where they study; universities facilitate the procedures. Expatriate residents may sponsor their male children up to 25 years of age, and beyond if the student proves that they are pursuing studies in a higher education institution; they may continue to sponsor their daughters for studies, whatever their age, until their marriage.
• Ordinary student visa in Dubai: one year, renewableConditions and details

  The ordinary student visa is valid for one year and is renewed each year for the duration of the course, for students enrolled in an approved institution in Dubai. The renewal is processed by the university or the sponsor and requires up-to-date documents, including a medical fitness examination and the renewal of the Emirates ID. If the visa is approaching its expiration, the renewal must be requested through the university before the end date to avoid fines and overstaying.
• Announced timeframesConditions and details

  The Study Dubai portal indicates that the processing of a student visa in Dubai generally takes from two to five weeks; some universities offer an express option of seven to ten working days. After arrival, the residence stamp takes about 15 working days. The timeframes vary according to the university and whether the application is complete. The GDRFA Dubai service page announces 48 hours for the issuance of the student residence permit. The 48 hours concern the GDRFA service and do not represent the total duration of the university procedures; these announced timeframes are not guaranteed.
• The residence visa cannot be processed from abroadConditions and details

  The official portal reminds applicants that a residence visa cannot be processed for an applicant who is outside the Emirates: they must first enter with a valid entry permit and stay in the country until the end of the procedure. To verify the validity of an entry permit or a visa, the portal refers to the GDRFA website (Dubai) or to the ICP eChannels platform (other emirates).
• Medical examination, security check and Emirates IDConditions and details

  A residence visa requires, from the age of 18, a medical fitness examination, a security check and an application for an Emirates ID card from the federal identity authority. The validity period of a residence visa varies according to its type and the sponsor: one, two or three years for a sponsored visa, up to five or ten years for a visa without a sponsor. The expiry date of a dependant's visa does not exceed that of the sponsor.
• Emirates ID card: legal obligation and proceduresConditions and details

  The Emirates ID is an identity card issued by the federal identity authority (ICP); applying for it and carrying it at all times is a legal obligation for citizens and residents. A new card is applied for on the ICP website or through an approved typing centre, and it may be necessary to go to an ICP service centre to provide biometric data. The cancellation of the residence visa entails the automatic cancellation of the card.
• Medical examinations required of foreigners who come to live in the EmiratesConditions and details

  A medical fitness examination is required from the age of 18 for residence. The U.AE medical page distinguishes examinations according to profile: the syphilis and hepatitis B tests concern in particular nursery, domestic, catering, beauty salon and health club workers. The pregnancy test concerns female domestic workers. This list does not constitute a set of tests imposed on every student. On renewal, the page provides, for certain tuberculosis cases, a conditional fitness certificate and a one-year residence with treatment in the Emirates. The approved medical centre determines the applicable examinations.
• Student's familyConditions and details

  The family members of a foreign student enrolled in a university in the Emirates may stay in the country as long as they can be suitably accommodated; the government authorised this measure for the emotional stability of students.
• Gulf Cooperation Council nationalsConditions and details

  According to the Study Dubai portal, citizens of the GCC countries (including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa to study in Dubai; universities nevertheless request the usual enrolment documents: valid GCC passport or identity card, Emirates ID, academic transcripts or certificates and admission letter.
• Student already in the Emirates with another visaConditions and details

  A student who is staying in the Emirates with a family visa or another residence visa may need to switch to a student residence visa, in particular a male student over 25 years of age, unless they fall under the parental sponsorship rules. The documents then include, in addition to the usual documents, the cancellation of the visa with the current sponsor, if applicable.
• After studiesConditions and details

  The Study Dubai portal presents, for graduates, a visit visa to look for work (60, 90 or 120 days, without a sponsor), the green visa (five-year residence for skilled workers, freelancers and self-employed persons) and the golden visa. A graduate may also switch from a student visa to a work visa if they obtain an offer from an employer in the Emirates, which handles the application, cancels the student visa and applies for the new visa.
• Short-term study or training visit: other procedureConditions and details

  The GDRFA of Dubai also issues a single-entry visit visa for study, training or rehabilitation, for 30, 60 or 180 days, whose host is an accredited university, institute or research establishment. It requires a photo, a copy of the passport valid for at least six months and a letter from the educational entity indicating the program and its duration. This sheet describes the student residence visa, not this visit.
• Dubai: sponsoring establishment, annual increase and grace periodConditions and details

  For the student permit issued by the GDRFA of Dubai, to sponsor students, the university, college, institute or research center must hold a license, and obtain the approval of the Ministry of Education or the competent educational authority of the emirate. The issuance fee (200 AED) increases by 100 AED per year when the residence exceeds two years. The grace period to stay in the country after the expiration or cancellation of the residence permit is 60 days.
• Prolonged absence outside the EmiratesConditions and details

  An expatriate resident who lives outside the Emirates for more than 180 consecutive days generally has their residence visa automatically cancelled. Exceptions exist, notably for expatriate students who study abroad at a university or institute (according to Dubai rules, to be verified with the ICP for other emirates) and for students enrolled in establishments abroad holding a valid residence visa.

Work visa

• Working with a visit or tourist visa is prohibitedConditions and details

  UAE law strictly prohibits working with a visit or tourist visa, with or without pay. Offenders, employees or employers, face fines and prosecution. The official portal invites you to verify the job offer, with its reference number on the MOHRE website, and the validity of the entry permit before travelling.
• Recruitment fees paid by the employerConditions and details

  Under UAE labour law, the employer is responsible for paying the recruitment fees. The official portal also advises checking that the company exists legally by searching for it, in English and in Arabic, in the national economic register.
• MOHRE work permit typesConditions and details

  MOHRE issues 13 types of work permits to registered establishments, depending on the nature of the employment: recruiting a worker from outside the UAE (valid two years), transferring a non-Emirati worker from one establishment to another, resident under family sponsorship, temporary permit, mission, part-time, minor, student in training, UAE or GCC national, golden visa holder, national intern, freelance worker and private teacher. This sheet describes recruiting a worker from abroad.
• Conditions for issuing the work permitConditions and details

  To issue a work permit: the worker is at least 18 years old (except a permit for a minor or student in training), the profession corresponds to the establishment's activity, the company's commercial licence is valid and free of violations, the worker meets the legal conditions of specialised or licensed professions, and a person legally authorised to represent the company submits the application. MOHRE may refuse, not renew or cancel the permit if the establishment provides inaccurate documents, is fictitious, or does not comply with the wage protection system.
• Cost of the work permit for the employerConditions and details

  The cost of issuing and renewing a work permit ranges from 250 AED to 3 450 AED depending on the company's classification (A, B or C), which reflects its compliance with labour law, the wage protection system and ministry decisions. This cost is paid by the employer, who is responsible for the recruitment fees.
• Duration of the employment contractConditions and details

  The contract specifies the start date, the type and place of work, the conditions, the duration and the salary; it is based on the signed offer and must be filed with MOHRE within 14 days of the employee's arrival. Under Article 8, paragraph 3, of the consolidated federal law, it is concluded for a fixed term, renewable by agreement of the parties. The former three-year cap no longer appears there. The duration of the contract is distinct from the validity of the work permit and of the residence permit.
• Free zones: sponsorship by the zone authorityConditions and details

  Employment procedures in a free zone fall under the rules of the zone authority. U.AE states that workers are sponsored by that authority and specifies that the terms of the contract must comply with labour law. The applicable regime must be checked with the zone concerned. This sheet describes recruitment in the private sector outside a free zone.
• GCC nationals: work permit, without residence visaConditions and details

  Establishments that recruit GCC nationals must obtain a work permit for them from MOHRE; once the permit is issued, they can start working in the UAE immediately, without a residence visa, unlike nationals of other countries. MOHRE treats them in the same way as Emirati nationals for employment and insurance coverage.
• Professions reserved for EmiratisCertain professions, such as that of a lawyer authorised to plead before the judge and to provide the defence, may be exercised only by UAE nationals.
• Green visa for skilled workers and freelancersConditions and details

  The official portal presents a green visa for skilled workers, freelancers and self-employed persons, distinct from the standard work visa described here, which requires an employer.
• Grace period and duration of the residence permitConditions and details

  In Dubai, the private-sector residence permit grants the right to reside in the country for two years, renewable; the issuance fees increase by 100 AED per year when the residence exceeds two years. The grace period for staying in the country after the residence permit expires or is cancelled is 60 days. GDRFA announces a processing time of 48 hours for the entry visa and for the residence permit.