60-day entry now standard for many visitors
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The United Arab Emirates will allow visitors and vacationers to enter the country and stay for 60 days as standard.
The move – instead of a 30-day stay – is part of a series of Cabinet-approved visa changes.
The decision will benefit people looking for longer breaks and those considering making the move more permanent.
Although there are separate visas available for job seekers – called entry visa for job search – a 60-day tourist visa would allow potential expats to get a feel for what the lifestyle and the labor market have to offer.
“Key improvements include easing entry requirements for all types of visas, offering flexible visa durations that meet the needs of visitors and the purpose of the visit,” the government’s media office said on Monday. of the United Arab Emirates.
“In addition, all entry visas are available for single or multiple entries and may be renewed for similar periods and are valid for 60 days from date of issue.”
All entry visas are available for single or multiple entries and may be renewed for similar periods and are valid for 60 days from date of issue.
United Arab Emirates Government Media Office
Until now, a tourist with a 30-day visit visa on arrival has been the norm for many nationalities, including Britons, Americans and Australians.
After 30 days, you were granted a nine-day grace period before being subject to fines for exceeding. This amounted to a cost of 200 Dh on the first day and 100 Dh for each subsequent day.
On the other hand, visitors from countries that do not have a visa on arrival agreement with the United Arab Emirates, such as India and Pakistan, must obtain a paid visa in advance from an agency. of travel.
Meanwhile, visitors from Schengen zone countries in Europe have different arrangements, with 90 days allowed in any 180-day period.
Monday’s announcement made no reference to changes to those provisions.
The number of tourists has steadily increased since the pandemic crisis, which grounded planes around the world and caused lockdowns around the world. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international traffic, saw 29.1 million passengers pass through its terminals in 2021.
This was above the airport’s target of 28 million, but well below the 86.4 million passengers who used Dubai Airport in 2019.
Dubai Airport officials predict nearly 60 million people will use the airport this year as global traffic and Dubai’s tourism industry continue to recover.
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Updated: April 18, 2022, 3:46 p.m.