UPDATE (July 15, 2021): Coronavirus certificates are now mandatory for Pakistanis travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from August 1, 2021.
The UAE embassy in Islamabad has announced all Pakistani travellers have to carry their NADRA-issued certificates at all times. Also, those certificates have to be attested by the UAE embassy.
Dubai is a hub of international tourism, and people from all over the world visit the once-desert city, especially during winters, which is the peak holiday season. Statistics released by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) have revealed that more than 8 million tourists visited the city in the first half of 2019. If you’ve also made a plan to travel to Dubai from Pakistan during the winter vacations, you’re in luck!
Our comprehensive travel guide to Dubai covers all the essentials from visa and flight costs to the best places to visit and things to do in Dubai.
So, let’s start planning the perfect trip to Dubai from Pakistan!
Applying for a Tourist Visa to Dubai
We have assumed that you’ll be using a Pakistan passport to visit Dubai. So, here are some vital points to keep in mind to get a visit visa for Dubai from Pakistan:
Types of Tourist Visas
There are five different types of tourist visas or visit visas to Dubai, and a transit visa as well.
- Transit Visa – Valid for Stay of 96 Hours – Cost: AED 250
- Tourist Visa – Valid for a Stay of 14 Days (Single Entry) – Cost: AED 295
- Tourist Visa – Valid for a Stay of 30 Days (Single Entry) – Cost: AED 305
- Tourist Visa – Valid for a Stay of 90 Days (Single Entry) – Cost: AED 799
- Tourist Visa – Valid for a Stay of 30 Days (Multiple Entry) – Cost: AED 940
- Tourist Visa – Valid for a Stay of 90 Days (Multiple Entry) – Cost: AED 2150
Documents Required to Apply for a Visit Visa to Dubai
As a Pakistani passport holder, you will need to submit the following documents along with your visa application:
- A copy of your CNIC
- A copy of the first two pages of your passport
- Two passport-sized photographs (White Background)
- Bank Statement, if you’re travelling for the first time
- A valid return ticket to Dubai for your travel dates
Your passport must be valid for 6 months at the time of application. All visa fees are non-refundable.
Processing Time for a Tourist Visa to Dubai
While most visa applications for Dubai are processed within 4 to 5 days, it is recommended that you apply at least a week before your travel plans to avoid any unforeseen delays.
How and Where to Apply for a Visit Visa to Dubai
Dubai’s tourist visa application can only be processed by specific travel agents and airlines. Some of the airlines that can help you get a tourist visa to Dubai include:
- Etihad Airways
- Emirates Airline
- Fly Dubai
- Air Arabia
As for travel agents, we recommend going with the ones that boast the best reputation.
Reaching Dubai from Pakistan
Emirates, Etihad, and Fly Dubai are the three major carriers of the UAE, offering their services at different price points for you to travel to Dubai from Pakistan. From luxurious to bare-bones, these airlines cover every base, with Fly Dubai being the cheapest option. Between the other two, Emirates is headquartered in Dubai, while the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi is home to Etihad. So, if you choose Etihad, you’ll need to plan for a ride to get to Dubai from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Best Time to Visit Dubai
The United Arab Emirates has a desert climate where summer days are hot and humid, while winter nights are pretty cold. Accordingly, people prefer to visit the region in the colder months of the year, between November to February. Considering the influx of visitors during this time, Dubai hosts a grand shopping festival called Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and the Global Village during these months.
Cost of Flying from Pakistan to Dubai
Since December is the peak tourist season, you’ll need to buy tickets well in advance to enjoy cheaper fares while visiting Dubai. Otherwise, it can cost you anywhere between PKR 50,000 and PKR 1 lakh for a round-trip ticket. Prices do tend to go down in the latter half of January, moving even below the PKR 50,000 mark. This could be an incentive for you to delay your holidays for a month or so.
Currency of Dubai
Dubai uses Dirhams (AED) as its primary currency, although US Dollars (USD) and British Pounds (GBP) are acceptable at the airport until you can find a local currency exchange. As of November 2019:
AED 1 = PKR 42 approximately
Commuting within Dubai
Dubai has an amazing public transport system in place. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) manages the Metro, Bus, and Water Bus, and you easily pay to ride all of these with the Nol Card. The most basic Nol cards are silver and gold in colour and work like e-purses. The silver one is the most easily available and is ideal for tourists. It costs AED 25, with AED 19 being the useable credit. Once you have a Nol card in hand, you can travel throughout the city using the Metro and its interconnecting RTA buses. The Nol card is easily rechargeable with additional credit at Metro stations and at some bus stations as well.
If you want to travel to an area that is not accessible by public transport, you can always take a taxi to your destination. Please note that a base rate of AED 12 is applicable for all taxi journeys within the city, while a base rate of AED 25 is added to your trip to and from the airport. Also, app-powered ride-hailing services are readily available throughout Dubai.
Things to Do in Dubai
After giving you an overview of how to travel to Dubai from Pakistan, our travel guide to Dubai will now focus on the most important bit—some must-visit places in Dubai.
Here’s a quick list of some places to visit in Dubai:
- The Dubai Mall
- The Dubai Fountain
- Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
- Burj Khalifa
- Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
- Wild Wadi & Aquaventure Waterparks
- XLine
- Jumeirah Mosque
- Mall of the Emirates
- Ski Dubai
- Dubai Parks and Resorts
- Dubai Museum
- Dubai Creek
- The Souks at Deira
- Dubai Frame
- Dubai Miracle Garden
- IMG Worlds of Adventure
- Global Village
- Quranic Park
Please note that we’ve tailored our list to cater to first-time travellers as well. Thus, if you’ve already been to some of these places, you can check out the top 50 things to do in Dubai and pick some unique experiences for your trip.
The Dubai Mall
Famous for being one of the largest shopping malls in the world, The Dubai Mall is a must-visit for everyone coming to Dubai with the specific purpose of going on a shopping spree. The mall is home to some of the biggest brands in the world and is one of the most visited places on the planet. The mall is located on main Sheikh Zayed Road near the Burj Khalifa and hosts a number of entertainment options. The Dubai Ice Rink, VR Park, KidZania, and Reel Cinemas are just a few of the most visited places in The Dubai Mall. The mall also hosts live music and fashion shows on a regular basis as well as partaking in DSF during the winter months. The Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) festival is also held in July and August in the mall.
Entry: Free
Timings: Daily, 10 am to 12 am
The Dubai Fountain
Located in Downtown Dubai on the outskirts of The Dubai Mall, The Dubai Fountain is the largest dancing fountain in the world. More than 6,000 lights illuminate the fountain at night, and the show is a must-watch for every tourist visiting Dubai. While shows are held regularly everyday, special presentations, such as a tribute to Pakistan on its Independence Day, a tribute to Shahrukh Khan on his birthday, and other special shows are choreographed by the team in charge of the shows as per the occasion.
Entry: Free
Timings: Daily, 6 pm to 11 pm (A new show begins every half hour)
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
If you’re looking for places to visit in Dubai with your kids, consider taking a trip to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, located on the ground floor of The Dubai Mall. The aquarium is a gigantic transparent tank filled with more than 140 aquatic species, while the underwater zoo is home to a plethora of sea creatures such as penguins, sea horses, jellyfish, crabs, crocodiles, and more. You can see all of this at a distance or engage in a one-to-one encounter based on your preference. Shark diving, cage snorkelling, and glass-bottom boat tours are also quite popular activities for thrill-seekers here.
Entry: Starting from AED 175
Timings: Daily, 10 am to 12 am
Burj Khalifa
No travel guide to Dubai would be complete without a mention of the Burj Khalifa, which currently holds the record for being the tallest building in the world. The tower also holds several other records that are yet to be broken by upcoming structures under construction around the world. Located next to The Dubai Mall and The Dubai Fountain, the Burj Khalifa is one of the most iconic landmarks of the city, along with the Burj-al-Arab. The tower is a residential skyscraper with an observation deck at more than 500 metres above sea level, offering panoramic views of Dubai.
Entry: Starting from AED 149
Timings: Daily, 8:30 am to 10 pm
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Wander through this traditionally set Arabian market if it’s your first trip to Dubai from Pakistan. This ‘souk’ or ‘market’ will take you back to the time of the ‘Arabian Nights’ with vintage shops and streets, selling high-end clothing and apparel. Spices, jewellery, and carved ornaments can also be bought in the narrow winding streets of this scenic marketplace. You can even take a ride in an ‘abra’—a traditional Emirati boat—on the water canals in the area. The restaurants operational here serve some of the finest cuisines near the water’s edge.
Entry: Free
Timings: Daily, 10 am to 11 pm (Shops), 8 am to 2 am (Restaurants)
The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
One of the poshest localities in Dubai, JBR, is located near Dubai Marina. It is home to The Walk, which is an outdoor mall with shops and outlets of high-end brands and fine-dining restaurants. It also hosts pop-up markets along the street. You can have a meal in the sky at the Flying Cup here, or head to AquaFun Dubai, which is the world’s largest inflatable waterpark.
Entry: Free
Timings: Daily, 10 am to 12 am (Shops & Restaurants)
Wild Wadi & Aquaventure Waterparks
Since Dubai is a city built amidst a desert, the region is generally hot and humid all year round. Thus, water activities are fairly popular and attract large crowds. Two of the best waterparks in the city are Wild Wadi Waterpark and Aquaventure Waterpark. Wild Wadi is located near Jumeirah Beach Hotel, while Aquaventure is situated near the Atlantis, The Palm. Both parks offer a range of rides and a full day of fun in the sun for the family, and you can choose your destination based on your preference.
Entry: Starting from AED 249 (Wild Wadi) & AED 260 (Aquaventure)
Timings: Daily, 10 am to 6 pm
XLine
Zip across Dubai Marina at speeds of 80 kilometres per hour with a safety harness keeping you protected as the wind rushes past you. This is an experience that thrill-seekers should not miss! Known as XLine, the airborne trip can be undertaken solo or with your favourite travel companion.
Entry: Starting from AED 650
Timings: Thursdays to Tuesdays, 10 am to 5 pm
Jumeirah Mosque
While Jumeirah Mosque is certainly not the largest in the UAE, it is considered a significant landmark of Dubai, especially for visitors who love to visit historical or religious sites. Both Muslims and non-Muslims are welcome to visit the mosque and admire its architectural beauty, which is an exact replica of the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. Guided tours are also available for people who wish to learn more about the mosque and its history.
Entry: Daily, AED 20 (Guided tour)
Timings: Daily, from 10 am onwards
Mall of the Emirates
Another mall that is among the top places to visit in Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, or MoE, as it is known to the locals, is a must-visit when you travel to Dubai from Pakistan. The mall is not just a hub for shopping at the biggest brands, though. You can also dine out at the food court and cafes, or visit Yalla! Bowling and Magic Planet with your kids. You can also watch a movie at VOX Cinemas.
Entry: Free
Timings: Daily, 10 am to 11 pm
Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai is one destination that should be in your list of things to do in Dubai as a first-time traveller to the city. The indoor ski resort is built on the ground floor of the mall and is ideal for skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding, zip-lining, or just meeting the penguins. At a temperature of one to two degrees Celsius, the park is almost freezing, but you don’t have to worry. Jackets, gloves, and snow boot will be provided to you upon your entrance to Ski Dubai.
Entry: Starting from AED 190
Timings: Daily, 10 am to 11 pm
Dubai Parks and Resorts
Dubai Parks and Resorts is the largest theme park in the Middle East and contains three parks within its premises. There’s LEGOLAND Dubai with Lego-themed rides and waterpark; Motiongate Dubai, which is dedicated to all things Hollywood; and Bollywood Park Dubai, which targets fans of Indian movies and is the first Bollywood-themed park in the world.
Entry: Starting from AED 220 (LEGOLAND), AED 275 (Motiongate), and AED 175 (Bollywood Park)
Timings: Daily, 10 am to 6 pm (LEGOLAND), 11 am to 8 pm (Motiongate), and 2 pm to 11 pm (Bollywood Park)
Dubai Museum
Built within the Al-Fahidi Fort that used to defend Dubai Creek in the 1700s, the Dubai Museum is the best place to learn more about the history and culture of the region. Extensive renovation of the fort has given it its current appearance, while the interior halls contain displays of weaponry, musical instruments, archaeological finds from a bygone era, and much more.
Entry: AED 3
Timings: Daily, 8:30 am to 8:30 pm
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek is a saltwater channel that separates the old and modern parts of Dubai. On one side is Deira, the older district, and on the other is Bur Dubai, a posh and contemporary residential hub. Visit the area if you want to indulge in a boating cruise. You can take short abra ride or opt for a Dhow Cruise with dinner under the stars. There are several stations that you can choose from to book a cruise as per your preference.
Entry: Starting from AED 55
Timings: Daily, 7 pm to 11 pm
The Souks at Deira
Crossing the Dubai Creek via a boat or by road can take you to Deira, where a number of souks await you. This is the best place to shop for souvenirs in Dubai and to buy gifts for your loved ones. Two of the traditional markets located here include the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk, which are worth a visit even if you are not in the mood to purchase gold or spices.
Entry: Free
Timings: 10 am to 10 pm
Dubai Frame
Famous as the world’s largest picture frame, the Dubai Frame boasts two 150-metre high columns, connected to each other at the top with a 93-metre long glass bridge. The experience of looking down 150 metres from the glass floor is not for the faint-hearted, but the views of Dubai from Zabeel Park are undoubtedly worth it. The mezzanine floor hosts a Future Dubai gallery, which is an immersive experience showcasing how Dubai will evolve and take on a new look in the near future.
Entry: AED 50
Timings: Daily, 9 am to 9 pm
Dubai Miracle Garden
Named appropriately as ‘Miracle Garden’, it is the world’s largest natural flower garden amidst the desert oasis of Dubai. The park is home to nearly 50 million species of flowers, covering 72,000 square metres in colourful blooms. You can even witness some pretty amazing 3D flower creations here as you stroll through the walkways.
Entry: Starting from AED 40
Timings: Daily, 9 am to 9 pm
IMG Worlds of Adventure
Complete your trip to Dubai with a day at the IMG Worlds of Adventure. The largest indoor theme park in the world is home to four themed worlds. One zone is modelled after the famous TV Channel, Cartoon Network, while the second one caters to MARVEL fans. The third zone is the Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure, while the fourth zone is IMG Boulevard. Each zone offers rides and lots of adventure for enthusiasts.
Entry: AED 299
Timings: Daily, 11 am to 8 pm
Global Village
An annual event from November to March, Global Village is a mix of a global market and a theme park, featuring cultural handicrafts from more than 70 countries across the globe. From unique photo opportunities against backdrops from around the world, you can purchase some unique gifts to take home for your friends and family at the Global Village.
Entry: AED 15
Timings: Daily, 4 pm to 12 am
Quranic Park
Being one of the latest attractions in Dubai, don’t forget to visit Quranic Park when you travel to Dubai from Pakistan. The park is dedicated to recreating memorable scenes from the Quran and Sunnah in a way that can educate the newer generation about Islam with a unique and immersive experience. The two major attractions are The Cave of Miracles and the Glass House, with the park containing all of the plants and trees mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah.
Entry: Free, AED 5 for each attraction
Timings: 9 am to 9 pm
This concludes our travel guide to Dubai with comprehensive information on how to apply for a visa, what to do, and where to go during your trip. However, before you travel to Dubai from Pakistan, search online for some of the best deals and offers online. Many of the attractions have combo packages on their official website, while other discount services also offer combo passes that allow you to enjoy Dubai’s finest sites at a fraction of the cost.
You can also check out our guides for travelling to Turkey, Egypt, Azerbaijan, or even Antarctica from Pakistan if you want to travel to a different location. Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more tourism and travel guides for both domestic and international destinations. Drop us your suggestions, queries, and views about the post at blog@zameen.com.
