How to Apply for a Turkey, India, or China Visa from Dubai – A Complete Guide for UAE Residents

But remember - if you don’t have that valid US/UK/Schengen visa, you’re not eligible for the e-Visa. You’ll need to go the regular route.

Option 2 - Regular Tourist Visa (Sticker Visa via Application Center)

If you’re not eligible for the e-Visa, you’ll have to apply for a sticker visa through the Turkey Visa Application Center in Dubai. This is the traditional way and involves visiting the center with your documents.

Here’s what you’ll need for a sticker visa:

• Your passport (must be valid for at least six months)
• A copy of your UAE residency visa
• Passport-sized photos (and no, those photo booth selfies won’t work)
• Bank statements for the last few months
• Flight reservation and hotel booking
• Travel insurance
• The completed application form

Processing time?

Usually around 5-7 working days, but during busy seasons, it can take longer. Best advice - don’t leave it till the last minute.

How to Apply for an India Visa from Dubai

Is an India visa required?

Do you need a visa for India? If you are not an Indian citizen or you don’t have an OCI card, then yes, you’ll need one. The type of visa depends on why you’re going and how long you plan to stay.

Two main visa options:

• e-Tourist Visa (eTV) - Perfect for short tourist visits. You apply online, upload a scanned passport copy and photo, pay the fee, and wait for the visa approval to land in your inbox. But be aware - the visa validity starts from the date it’s issued, not when you arrive.
• Regular Sticker Visa - For longer stays, work, study, or business trips. This involves a physical application at the visa center with more paperwork.

Documents you’ll usually need for the regular visa:

• Passport (with six months’ validity)
• UAE residence visa copy
• Correct-sized photographs (India is strict about this)
• Financial proof (like bank statements) if required
• Confirmed flight tickets and hotel bookings
• Purpose-specific documents - for example, business invitation letters or university admission letters

Processing time:

• e-Visa: Usually 3–5 working days
• Regular Visa: Around 7–10 working days, depending on the visa type and category

Real-life tip: For the e-Visa, make sure your uploaded documents are clear and meet the format requirements. India’s system sometimes rejects fuzzy photos or wrong file sizes.

Applying for a China Visa from Dubai

Do you need a visa for China?

Yes - unless you’re a UAE citizen or come from one of the rare visa-exempt countries (which, honestly, most people aren’t).

How do you apply?

There’s no e-Visa for tourists visiting China. You’ll have to go through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dubai. This means submitting your application in person and - for most people — giving your biometric data (fingerprints).

Which visa type fits your trip?

• L Visa - For tourism
• M Visa - Business
• X Visa - Studies
• Z Visa - Work

Most travelers will apply for the L Visa for tourism.

What documents should you prepare?

• A passport valid for at least six months with blank pages for the visa
• UAE residence visa
• Completed visa application form (make sure everything matches your documents)
• Recent passport-sized photograph (strict photo specs apply)
• Proof of hotel booking and return flight
• A travel plan or itinerary (even if you’re not a planner, you’ll need to draft one)

How long does it take?

Wondering how long it takes? For regular processing, it’s usually around 4 to 5 working days. If you’re in a hurry, you can pay extra for express service and get it done in 2 to 3 days. Just a heads-up - China’s pretty strict when it comes to paperwork. If your documents aren’t clear or your travel plans seem vague, there’s a good chance they’ll delay or even reject your application.

How to Choose the Right Visa and Get It Right the First Time

Picking the right visa comes down to three key points. First, why you’re traveling - whether it’s for a short holiday, business, study, or work. Your purpose decides the visa type you need. Next, think about how long you’re planning to stay. Some visas only cover short visits, while others are meant for longer stays- and depending on your plans, you might need single or multiple entry. And third, your nationality - visa rules differ based on the passport you hold, so it’s important to check the specific requirements for your country. Knowing these three basics helps you apply for the correct visa and avoid unnecessary delays.

When in doubt, check with a visa consultant. Guesswork here can cost you more time, money, and effort than it’s worth.

Common Mistakes Travelers Make - and How to Avoid Them

• Waiting too long to apply - embassies can be fully booked, especially before holidays
• Submitting incomplete or incorrect documents - double-check everything
• Booking non-refundable tickets before getting the visa
• Ignoring photo specifications - they’re stricter than you think
• Assuming e-Visas mean you don’t need paper copies - always print your documents

Why Many Dubai Residents Prefer Using a Visa Service

Let’s be honest, no one likes wasting hours in embassy lines or figuring out visa rules that seem to change overnight. That’s exactly why so many people in Dubai go through visa consultants. It saves time, cuts down on paperwork stress, and helps avoid the risk of messing something up. When someone who knows the process guides you, you don’t waste time guessing- you just get it done.

Need Help with Your Visa Application?

At ezee Visa, we guide UAE residents through the often tricky visa process - whether it’s Turkey, India, China, or elsewhere.

Questions? Stuck on paperwork?

Reach out - we’ll help you get it done right.