GETTING A VISA
While the visa application process for the UAE is fairly straightforward, always be sure to check the latest visa requirements for your country, as laws can change without prior notice. Remember to make sure your passport has at least six months validity and one free page remaining for your visa issuance and entry stamp.
If you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you can obtain
a tourist visa on arrival:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican City.
For GCC nationals (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman), you neither require a visa, nor a sponsor to visit the UAE. You will simply need to produce your GCC country passport or ID card upon arrival at the point of entry into the UAE.
If you are not from one of the countries listed above, you can obtain your visa using one of the following methods:
Through the hotel you stay with in Dubai: once you book a hotel room, you can contact your hotel, and they can arrange your visa for a fee.
If you are flying on Emirates or Etihad: they can organise a visa on your behalf. Please check their respective websites for more information.
If you have any more questions on obtaining a VISA, please contact us for further assistance.
HOTEL
GPP Photo Week 2018 attendees can take advantage of the following special rates at the Holiday Inn Al Barsha in Dubai:
Single Occupancy Deluxe Room: 400 AED ($109 USD) on a bed and breakfast basis.
Double Occupancy Deluxe Room: 430 AED ($117 USD) on a bed and breakfast basis.
The rate is inclusive of 10% municipality fee and 10% service charge, however it is subject to AED. 15.00 Tourism Dirham per bedroom per night and a 5% VAT applicable from January 2018.
To take advantage of the special rates, please contact the hotel directly at +97143234333 or groups@hialbarsha.com. Remember to mention you're attending GPP Photo Week 2018 with Gulf Photo Plus.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
There are several options for ground transport upon arrival at Dubai International Airport (DXB):
1) Hotel Arranged Car
2) Taxi
Take a taxi to the Holiday Inn hotel from the airport. This is an efficient and safe means of transport, and you should be able to get a taxi with ease at the airport. Simply follow the signs for taxis once you exit the airport arrivals area. The taxi fare will range from about AED 80 - 100 (~$20-$25 USD) depending on time of day, traffic, etc.
3) Dubai Metro
Depending on your arrival time, you may be able to take the Dubai Metro as far as the Sharaf DG Metro Station, which is a mere 2-minute walk from Holiday Inn Al Barsha. It will take you approximately 50 minutes on the metro to get to the Sharaf DG Metro Station from DXB, and a standard metro fare will be approximately 7 AED (~$2 USD ) per person. You can find out more about planning your trip here.
4) Careem or Uber
DO'S & DON'TS
If this is your first time in the UAE, you may have some questions on the do's and don’ts of this country. Here's a good resource to learn about local etiquette.
PLACES TO SHOOT
If you have never been to the UAE and don't know where and what to shoot, here's a handy guide to the Top 10 places to shoot in Dubai and beyond.
