Visas

Nationals and citizens of some countries require a visa for entry into Dubai, many of these will be granted on arrival at no cost, however certain countries will be required to apply for a visa in advance.

It is important to check the UAE Visa eligibility website here to confirm the type of visa that will be required.

You will be able to get support from your Market Focal throughout the process and ensure visas are obtained. It is still your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa to attend the event (including any visas required for transit during travelling) in order to attend the event. If you’re unsure, please check with your Market Focal.

Applying for a Visa

For those who are required to pre-apply for a tourist visa, these need to be arranged in advance. The visa process will be done via a sponsor in the country. We have arranged for our local travel partner to handle the visa application process for guests who will need to pre-apply for a tourist visa. All of the details required for the visa application will be captured during the registration process. Please ensure you upload the correct documentation requested during registration and our travel partner will process this on your behalf.

All tourist visas for the UAE will be paid for by Shell.

Visa Processing Requirement

Visa applications will require the following documents which need to be uploaded during registration:

  • Passport Copy
    a. Front cover page (external showing the passport emblem and country name)
    b. Bio page with photo, full name, nationality, passport number, etc
    c. Back page with information

  • Passport Photo with white background

  • National ID (applicable in some nationalities)

The below documents are also required but will be provided by the events team:

  • Hotel booking confirmation for the period of their Smiling Stars stay

  • Airline ticket showing return journey (those requiring visas will be prioritised for travel bookings)

  • An itinerary for the duration of their Smiling Stars stay

The visa application will not begin until you have completed your registration and you have uploaded all requested documents. Customarily, the visa processing time will take approximately two weeks. Once your visa has been approved, you will receive an email from the Smiling Stars Event Team for steps on how to retrieve your visa.

The visa is valid for 60 days from issuance, during which the holder can enter Dubai, and allows a 30-day stay from the date of arrival. Single-entry visas DO NOT allow re-entry if participants travel to other countries during their stay.

If you have any concerns, please flag to the Event Team ASAP via email to: team@smilingstars.events