Since December 2023, travel to Dubai has been much simpler for Bosnians. The UAE and Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a mutual visa exemption on 6 November 2023, and it took effect on 5 December 2023. Before that, a visa had to be arranged in advance. Now most tourists can just book a flight and go.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Passport Holders Dubai Visa Rules
The Bosnia and Herzegovina passport holders Dubai visa is issued free at the airport. You do not fill in any form before you travel. At Dubai immigration, your passport gets an entry stamp for tourism, business visits or seeing family.
How Many Days You Get
You receive a multiple-entry visit visa that is valid for 6 months. Your total time in the UAE during those 6 months cannot be more than 90 days. You can leave for a trip to Oman and come back, but every day in the UAE counts toward the 90.
This exemption covers short visits only. If you plan to work or study in the UAE, you need the right visa before you move.
Passport, Not Your Lična Karta
A Bosnian ID card is enough for trips to Serbia, Montenegro or Albania. It is not accepted for the UAE. The Dubai visa requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina are:
Sarajevo to Dubai: Direct and Connecting Flights
flydubai flies direct from Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) to Dubai International about four times a week. The flight takes around 5 hours 30 minutes and lands at Terminal 2. On other days, most travellers connect through Istanbul. Bosnians can enter Turkey without a visa, so a stop there is easy.
Travellers from Banja Luka, Mostar or Tuzla need to reach Sarajevo first, or compare flights from airports in neighbouring countries. Dubai is 3 hours ahead of Bosnia in winter and 2 hours ahead in summer.
Convertible Marks, Euros and Dirhams
The UAE uses the dirham (AED), which is tied to the US dollar. The convertible mark (KM) is tied to the euro. That means the rate between KM and AED moves with the euro-dollar rate. Many travellers bring euros for cash exchange in Dubai. Cards and phone payments work in almost every shop, taxi and metro station.
When to Go
The best months are November to March. Days are warm and evenings are pleasant, a welcome break from a Bosnian winter. July and August are very hot in Dubai, often above 40°C. If you visit in summer, plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning or evening.
UAE Consular Presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The UAE has a Consulate General in Sarajevo, led by Consul General Ahmed Saif Al Shamsi. You do not need to visit it for a tourist trip, because no visa is issued in advance. For official questions, you can also call the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 line on +971 800 44444.
If you need help while you are in the UAE, the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in Abu Dhabi.
When You Still Need a Pre-Arranged Visa
The free stamp does not cover everyone. You may need aDubai tourist visa from Bosnia and Herzegovina if you live in Bosnia but hold another nationality that is not visa-exempt. You also need a new visa if you have already used your 90 days and want to return before the 6 months end.
Our step-by-step guide explains how to apply for a Dubai visit visa. If you are short on time, use the express Dubai visa service. After you apply, track your Dubai visa status online.
For the typical tourist, the Dubai visa for Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens costs nothing and needs no paperwork before the trip.
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