The UAE Digital Government has confirmed that this new regulation applies to all foreign residents of GCC countries, with the e-Visa allowing for a 30-day stay, which can be extended once for an additional 30 days.
A government report specifies that obtaining an electronic visa is mandatory for entry into the UAE.
Applications for the e-Visa can be submitted through the official websites of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security. Once the application is approved, the electronic visa will be sent to the applicant’s registered email.
It’s essential to note that family members or dependents of GCC residents, as well as accompanying support staff, will not be issued visit visas unless their family sponsor is traveling with them.
Visa Conditions and Procedures
The report outlines eight key conditions and procedures for obtaining an electronic visa:
- Validity for GCC Residents: The entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance, allowing a 30-day stay from the date of entry, with a one-time extension for another 30 days.
- Validity for GCC Companions: For companions of GCC citizens, the entry permit is valid for 60 days from the issuance date, with a 60-day stay from the date of entry, extendable once for an additional 60 days.
- Residency Requirements: Entry permit holders will not be allowed into the UAE if their residency has expired or has been canceled.
- Profession Change: If there is a change in the applicant’s profession after the entry permit is issued, the visa becomes invalid.
- Residency Duration: The applicant’s residency in the GCC country must be valid for at least one year at the time of arrival in the UAE.
- Passport Validity: The passport must be valid for at least six months upon arrival in the UAE.
Transit Visa Options
The UAE also offers two types of transit visas:
- 48-Hour Transit Visa: Free of charge and non-renewable.
- 96-Hour Transit Visa: Available for Dh50, also non-renewable.
Transit visas are coordinated through national airlines, and travelers must apply and obtain the visa before traveling. Applications can be submitted via UAE smart platforms, such as the Federal Authority’s E-channels or the UAEICP smart app, available on Apple and Android devices. Additionally, electronic channels are available through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the relevant emirate.
Requirements for Transit Visas
For a 48-hour transit visa, the following criteria must be met:
- The passport or travel document must be valid for at least three months upon entry.
- A personal photo with a white background is required.
- The traveler must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third destination.
- The traveler must be transiting through the UAE to a country other than the one they arrived from.
For the 96-hour transit visa, the requirements are similar, with the exception that the passport must be valid for at least six months.
