The UAE has reintroduced the three-month visit visa. Previously, the three-month or 90-day visa was discontinued and replaced with a longer-term 60-day visa for visitors planning to stay in the country for an extended period.
A representative from the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) call center confirmed that individuals interested in visiting the UAE for 90 days can take advantage of this opportunity. They advised consulting travel agents who can assist in obtaining the 90-day visit visa.
Experts in the industry have reported that this reintroduction occurred at the end of May 2023, enabling visitors to remain in the UAE for up to 90 days. However, it is possible to extend the visa within the country for an additional fee, which varies depending on the service provider.
Types of entry permits
“There are two categories of entry permits available: tourist visas or leisure visas, and visit visas,”
explained Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager for inbound and outbound operations at Regal Tours Worldwide. He further mentioned that a tourist visa is typically issued for either 30 or 60 days, while a visit visa allows for a 90-day stay. This extended visit visa option complements the existing tourist visa choices, providing travelers with increased flexibility in planning their itineraries.
The 30-day and recently introduced 60-day tourist visas have been popular among visitors seeking shorter stays in the UAE. These visas offer sufficient time to explore the country’s renowned landmarks and enjoy its world-class shopping and dining experiences.
Who can apply?
According to Libin Varghese, sales director at Rooh Tourism LLC, many residents are unaware of the reintroduced three-month visa offered by the authorities. Industry experts have clarified that this visa is open to anyone and is valid for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Varghese further explained that currently, there hasn’t been a significant number of inquiries about this visa. However, individuals who are particularly interested in this entry permit are often family members of residents in the UAE. They may wish to spend an extended period in the country, such as children visiting during school vacations or parents of residents.
According to Subair, in the past, the UAE offered two types of entry permits: a leisure visa with a validity of three months and a tourist visa with a validity of 30 days. However, recent changes in visa procedures have introduced additional options. Last year, the authorities implemented modifications that allowed for the extension of the three-month visa within the country by paying an extension fee. This change was well-received and gained popularity among visitors.
Visa fee
The cost of a 90-day visit visa can differ based on the travel agent or agency handling the visa application. The fee typically starts at Dh1,500 and can go up to Dh2,000. It is important to note that the specific details regarding visa extensions have not been announced yet since the visa was recently introduced. According to Varghese, further information regarding the extension process will be made available in due course.
Documents required
To apply for the long-term visit visa, Subair explains that the following documents need to be submitted:
- Recent passport-size colored photograph
- Copy of the passport
The processing time for the visa application may vary, but Subair mentions that it can take up to five working days. However, in some cases, it is possible to receive the visa within two days.
SOURCE: Focus.hidubai
