The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) have introduced substantial changes to UAE visit visa policies. The modifications are aimed at enhancing the country's immigration system and the tourist experience.
Tourists holding a 30 or 60-day UAE visit visa can now extend their stay within the country for an additional 30 days, thanks to a policy update by the ICA and GDRFA. This new provision provides tourists more time to explore the UAE, a country known for its diverse attractions and rich cultural heritage.
This revision forms part of a broader transformation of the UAE's immigration and citizenship program, which commenced in October of the previous year. This overhaul has introduced several progressive changes to the UAE's visit visa system, aimed at promoting international tourism and making the country more accessible to visitors.
However, stricter enforcement of visa validity accompanies the introduction of visa extensions. The 10-day grace period that previously existed beyond the expiry of visas has been abolished across all emirates, marking a significant shift in visa regulations.
With the cancellation of the grace period, fines are immediately applicable once a UAE visit visa expires. Therefore, tourists are now urged to leave the country before the expiry of their visas to avoid incurring penalties. Any violation of the visa validity will result in a daily fine, along with charges for relevant documentation and exit permits.
With these changes, it is crucial for tourists to regularly monitor their visa validity. The visa validity system now only displays the permitted stay period, which is either '30 days' or '60 days', without any additional grace period. As such, tourists must maintain constant communication with their visa issuing agents to prevent overstays and consequent penalties.
The responsibility of paying penalties now rests directly with the visitors. These can be paid either online via the ICP website or directly at the airport's immigration counter upon departure.
In summary, the recent changes to the UAE visit visa policies offer more flexibility for an in-country visa extension while imposing stricter compliance with visa validity rules. Those planning a trip to the UAE should familiarize themselves with these changes to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable stay in this vibrant nation.