This page is guidance, not immigration advice. UAE entry requirements are set by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security and may change without notice. Always confirm the current requirements on the official UAE Government Portal or at the UAE embassy or consulate in your country before booking travel.
The following information has been prepared for attendees traveling to the ATypI 2026 Sharjah Conference, taking place October 28–31, 2026, at University of the Arts Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
IMPORTANT: If you plan on attending, please check your UAE entry requirements and begin your visa process as early as possible. Requirements vary according to nationality, passport type, and residency status.
The following advice applies to all ATypI attendees, including the general audience, presenters, workshop leaders, ATypI board members, exhibitors, and volunteers.
ATypI can provide a conference acknowledgement/invitation letter to confirmed attendees who require supporting documentation for their visa application. Please note that an invitation letter supports your application but does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
Every attendee is responsible for securing the travel documents they need to enter the United Arab Emirates. The Local Organizing Committee at the University of the Arts Sharjah can provide an invitation letter in support of your application, but it cannot apply on your behalf or influence the outcome.
1. Determine If You Need a UAE Visa
Your entry requirements depend primarily on your nationality, not your country of residence. There are three broad situations:
- No visa required. Citizens of the GCC states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) may enter with a GCC passport or national identity card.
- Visa-free entry or visa on arrival. Citizens of a long list of countries — including the EU and the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, South Korea, and many others — receive an entry permit at the airport at no cost, valid for 30 or 90 days, depending on nationality. Nothing needs to be arranged beforehand. Indian passport holders with a valid US visa, US green card, or UK or EU residence permit qualify for a 14-day visa-on-arrival.
- Advance visa required. All other nationalities must hold an approved UAE entry permit before traveling. Go to section 2.
Because eligibility can change, attendees should check the official UAE Government information before making travel arrangements:
Check if you need a visa to enter the UAE:
UAE Government — Do you need an entry permit or visa to enter the UAE?
Visa on arrival — eligible nationalities
Please do not rely solely on previously issued visa lists or unofficial websites.
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into the UAE.
Eligibility lists change. The UAE updates its visa-free and visa-on-arrival lists from time to time. Check the official portal — and, if anything is unclear, the UAE embassy or consulate serving your country — rather than relying on a third-party summary or on what applied the last time you traveled.
2. Apply for a UAE Visit or Tourist Visa If Required
If your nationality is not eligible for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival, you will need to arrange a visa before traveling to the UAE.
The UAE issues tourist and visit visas for travelers who require advance authorization. Tourist visas can generally be arranged through approved:
- UAE-based airlines. Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia sponsor visas for passengers holding a confirmed ticket on their own flights. This is often the simplest route if you are already booked.
- Hotels. Many UAE hotels can arrange a permit as part of a confirmed booking.
- Licensed travel agencies or tour operators. Verify that the provider is licensed in the UAE before paying.
- UAE immigration channels, depending on the visa category and applicant. Applications can be submitted directly at smartservices.icp.gov.ae or through the UAEICP mobile app.
For Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, immigration services are administered by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).
Attendees should use official UAE Government or ICP information to determine the appropriate visa route.
Whichever channel you use, save the application reference number you are given. You will need it to track the application and to correct or amend anything.
3. Begin Your Visa Application Early
If you require an advance visa, we strongly recommend beginning the process as soon as your participation and travel plans are confirmed.
Processing requirements and timelines can vary by nationality, application method, documentation, and individual circumstances.
Do not leave your visa application until immediately before the conference.
When applying, ensure that the information on your visa application matches your passport exactly, including your full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth. A mismatch is a common reason a UAE permit is rejected or has to be reissued.
A note on timing. A UAE visit permit must be used within a fixed window after it is issued, so applying many months ahead can leave you with a permit that expires before the conference. Applying roughly four to six weeks before you travel is the usual balance between “too early” and “too late”. If your nationality typically requires additional security checks, apply earlier and let us know so we can send your invitation letter promptly.
4. Prepare the Required Documents
Exact documentation varies depending on the type of visa and application channel, but travelers should be prepared to provide documents such as:
- A passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. This is checked at airline check-in and at the border. If your passport expires before late April 2027, renew it first.
- A recent color passport photograph against a white background that meets UAE specifications.
- A clear scan of your passport’s bio-data page and of any residence permit you hold.
- Completed visa application information
- Confirmed or planned return/onward travel
- Accommodation details in the UAE
- Proof of sufficient funds if requested
- Travel or health insurance where required
- Supporting documentation explaining the purpose of the visit
- ATypI 2026 Sharjah conference acknowledgement/invitation letter, if required
- The visa fee, payable at the point of application, plus the receipt.
UAE immigration services may request additional documentation depending on the applicant and visa category. Some visa categories specifically require health insurance and a return or onward travel ticket.
ATypI Conference Letter
Please complete the form below to request an acknowledgment or invitation letter for ATypI 2026 Sharjah. Kindly submit the form only after completing your conference registration, and allow several working days for the letter to be prepared.
The letter can confirm information such as:
- Your name
- Your participation in ATypI 2026 Sharjah
- Conference dates
- Conference location
- Your role in the conference, where applicable
When you request the letter, please provide the following exactly as they appear in your passport:
- Full name, date of birth and nationality
- Passport number, issue date and expiry date
- Your role at the conference (delegate, speaker, workshop leader, exhibitor, volunteer)
- Intended arrival and departure dates, and your registration confirmation number
The letter is intended as supporting documentation only. It is not a visa, a guarantee of one, or a financial undertaking. ATypI and University of the Arts Sharjah cannot guarantee visa approval, as all visa and entry decisions are made by the relevant UAE authorities.
Events Visit Visa. The UAE offers a dedicated Events Visit Visa for participants in approved conferences and exhibitions, which is applied for by the event organizer rather than the attendee. If this route is opened for ATypI 2026 Sharjah, we will publish instructions here and write to registered attendees. Until then, please apply through the standard channels in section 2.
5. GCC Residents
If you are a resident in a GCC country but are not a GCC citizen, different entry requirements may apply.
GCC residency does not automatically mean visa-free entry into the UAE. Eligible GCC residents and their companions may be required to obtain an eVisa before traveling.
Please check the official UAE Government guidance on tourist and visit visas for GCC residents before booking your trip, and confirm with the UAE embassy or consulate serving your country of residence if anything is unclear.
6. Check Your Visa Before Traveling
Electronic permits are typically processed within a few working days, but may take longer during UAE public holidays and in the weeks immediately before the conference. Check your application status on the portal where you applied, and respond promptly if additional documents are requested — an unanswered request may be treated as an abandoned application.
Once your visa has been issued, carefully check:
- Your full name
- Passport number
- Visa validity
- Permitted entry period
- Number of permitted entries
- Maximum permitted duration of stay
For visas processed through Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah, visa applications and validity can be checked through the ICP.
For visas issued through Dubai, visa status is checked through the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs — Dubai (GDRFA).
If your plans change after approval, contact the issuing channel before you travel rather than at the airport.
7. Before You Travel
Before departing for the UAE, make sure you have easy access to:
- Your passport
- UAE visa or entry permit, if required — saved to your phone and printed, as airlines routinely ask for it at check-in
- Return or onward flight details
- Hotel/accommodation confirmation
- Travel insurance documentation, if applicable
- ATypI conference acknowledgement/invitation letter
- ATypI 2026 Sharjah registration confirmation
- Conference venue information
Conference Venue
University of the Arts Sharjah
University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Conference Dates
October 28–31, 2026
We recommend keeping both digital and printed copies of important travel documents.
If You Run Into Difficulty
If your application is delayed or denied, or you urgently need an invitation letter, contact the Local Organizing Committee as early as possible. We cannot intervene in an immigration decision, but we can reissue or amend a letter, confirm your participation to an authority that asks, and advise on rescheduling.
ATypI 2026 Sharjah Local Organizing Committee — program@atypi.org
Useful Links
Do you need an entry permit or visa to enter the UAE?
Visa on arrival — eligible nationalities
ICP — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
GDRFA Dubai — General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs
ATypI 2026 Sharjah — Travel & Hotels
Important Reminder
Visa and immigration requirements are determined by UAE authorities and may change without notice.
Before traveling, every attendee is responsible for confirming the requirements applicable to their nationality and circumstances through the official UAE Government, ICP, GDRFA, or the UAE embassy or consulate serving their country.
Please begin the process early so that visa arrangements do not interfere with your participation in ATypI 2026 Sharjah.