The UAE has time and again emerged as a top travel destination over the years. Being the metropolis that it is, the UAE has always appealed to professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and tourists alike. As of today, the UAE is home to over 200 nationalities and continues to welcome people from across the globe. Similar to most countries, traveling to the UAE requires you to obtain a visit visa. However, the rules around this visa continue to be updated regularly, and this often leaves visitors looking around for the latest information. Through this article, we will walk you through the latest regulations concerning the eligibility, duration, and extension of UAE visit visas in 2024.
What is a UAE Visit Visa?
A visit visa grants you entry into the UAE for a specific period. Usually, obtaining this visa requires a sponsor. The sponsor can be your relative or a friend residing in the UAE, or even an airline or a travel agency in Dubai. It is necessary to note that not all nationalities require a visit visa to travel to the UAE. Passport holders from select countries like the USA, UK, and Japan are granted visas on arrival.
What are the different types of UAE Visit Visas?
30-Day/60-Day UAE Visit Visa (Single-Entry)
A UAE visit visa is required if you plan to visit the UAE for a short period with the reasons for your visit being tourism, business, or anything like visiting family and friends. A UAE visit visa can be availed for a 30-day or a 60-day duration that starts from the date of your entry into the country.
30-Day/60-Day UAE Visit Visa (Multiple-Entry)
A multiple-entry visit visa can be the ideal option for you if you wish to enter and exit the UAE multiple times for 30 or 60 days. It must be noted that the duration of your visa starts from the day of your first entry to the UAE and remains unchanged by the number of subsequent exits and entries you make.
5-Year Multiple-Entry UAE Visit Visa
A multiple-entry 5-year visit visa allows you to enter and exit the UAE on numerous occasions, with a maximum stay period of 90 days on each visit. In addition to other eligibility requirements, a bank balance of at least USD 4,000 (or an equivalent amount in foreign currencies) is mandatory. It must be noted that in addition to these, there might be other requirements that need to be fulfilled.
Eligibility for UAE Visit Visa
In line with its open-door approach, the UAE has always maintained easy eligibility for foreign nationals to obtain a visit visa. Only visitors from a select few countries remain barred from visiting the UAE as of 2024.
Extension of UAE Visit Visas
The rules regarding the extension of visit visas have undergone constant revisions in the past few years. As per the latest rules in 2024, a UAE 30-day or 60-day visit visa can be extended for a maximum period of 60 days at a time. Also, the in-country visit visa extension has been reinstated. This means the applicant can extend the visit visa duration from within the UAE. One must however bear in mind that the in-country visa extension must be done through the same agency through which you availed of your initial visit visa. Also, the (A2A) airport-to-airport visa change option still remains open as a cost-effective alternative to the in-country extension. Through this visa change process, you can swiftly avail of a new visit visa by traveling to a neighboring country and coming back to the UAE shortly after.
Requirements for extending UAE visit visas
- Passport (with at least six months of validity from the initial visit visa expiry date)
- Copy of the initial visit visa
- Copy of the return flight ticket
- Passport-sized photograph
- Proof of adequate funds for the extended stay
Penalties for Overstaying
Staying in the UAE beyond the visit visa validity can incur fines. The 10-day grace period has been recently scrapped by the government. Hence it is advisable to apply for an extension before your visa ends. As of February 2024, you are liable to pay a fine of AED 50 for every additional day you remain in the UAE after the expiry.
If you are looking to visit for setting up a business in the UAE, InZone can assist you with the issuance of a trade license in Dubai and residency visas. We are a renowned business setup service in the UAE and have helped thousands of entrepreneurs across the globe in launching their ventures here.
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