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.
For more information, consult this resource from the UAE government:
If you have any more questions on obtaining a VISA, please contact us for further assistance.
HOTEL
GPP Photo Week 2019 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: 425 AED ($115 USD) on a bed and breakfast basis.
The rate is inclusive of 10% municipality fee, 5% VAT and 10% service charge, however it is subject to AED 15.00 Tourism Dirham per bedroom per night to be paid upon check in.
To take advantage of the special rates, please contact the hotel directly at +97143234333 or email to groups@hialbarsha.com.
Remember to mention you're attending GPP Photo Week 2019 with Gulf Photo Plus.
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 your 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.
3) Dubai Metro
Depending on your arrival time, you could use the metro which runs along a central highway in Dubai. At each metro station, you can connect to more specific bus routes as well as hailing a taxi to get to your final destination. You’ll need a ‘nol’ card (similar to the British ‘oyster’ card) which can be purchased at any metro station, and also works on buses. A standard metro fare will be approximately 7 AED (~$2 USD ) per person.
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
Download one of these e-hailing apps before you arrive.
Here’s a trip planner from the Roads & Transport Authority. Input an origin and a destination, and it will give you all the available public transport options.
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 PHOTOGRAPH
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.
