Visa extension a huge relief for tourists in the UAE

Inayat-ur-Rahman, Deputy Business Editor

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued instructions extending tourist visas for one month without government fees, to address the difficulties faced by visitors due to the closure of some airports across the world.

The business community across the country warmly welcomed this great move announced ahead of the New Year celebrations, adding that the decision supports tourists and their families currently in the UAE to spend the festive season holidays.

As per the order, all tourists visiting the UAE will have their visas extended for one month without fees.

Lawyer Ibrahim Al Hosani, CEO of the UAE company iLAW told Gulf Today that the extension of the tourist visa for an additional month without government fees, issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, demonstrates the Emirate immediate and proactive response to the challenges due to  COVID-19 pandemic and affirms the UAE’s position as a global tourist destination”.

“Dubai has created the ideal balance between safety precautions and holiday destination and delivered on its promise to welcome global visitors while adopting policies that ensure the highest standards of health and safety of all visitors.

This is another testament of the strength and resilience of the UAE and its continued efforts to enhance the tourists’ experience”. Al Hosani added.

Shailesh Dash, a leading financier and entrepreneur told this reporter that the one-month extension in tourist visa has come as a huge relief to the tourists as well as hospitality industry.  

“I’m confident that it will help the visiting guests to enjoy their time in the country. The decision will now allow tourists and their families to spend their New Year holidays in the UAE,” he said.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday issued directives to extend tourist visas for an additional month, without any government fees, due to temporary airport closures and entry restrictions around the world.

“The beautiful gesture by Sheikh Mohammed is the best New Year gift to number of tourists who had travelled to the UAE to meet their loved ones or simply to enjoy the tourist hot spots here and were unable to return home due to the new variant of coronavirus,” he said.

“I have no doubt that with rapid progress on vaccine development travel will continue to rebound, and more capital will be invested in the industry from both the private and public sectors,” he concluded.

Imran Farooq, Group CEO, Samana Group of Companies mentioned that one-month tourist visa extension aims to support thousands of international tourists and their families in the UAE since many countries have implemented temporary airport closures.  

“The decision comes in order to make it easier for visitors from all over the world who came to Dubai to spend end-of-year holidays with their families.”

“All government entities are ready to implement the decision to serve tourists and have lauded the humanitarian move by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE.

Dubai Police also announced plans to enhance safety and security for the New Year celebrations across 23 locations in Dubai.

Josef Kleindienst, Chairman,  Kleindienst Group stated that Dubai is considered the best, and also the safest place in the world to experience the New Year celebrations.

“The recent decision to relax measures for international visitors coming to the UAE to spend the holidays with their families or to visit tourist landmarks is a testament to the nation’s effective and timely policy measures to cope with ongoing global COVID circumstances. The wise move will also enable tourists and their families to discover the UAE’s hidden gems on the occasion of their extended stay’’. Josef concluded.

Government entities will work to facilitate procedures for tourists over the coming period and collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of all visitors during their stay in the UAE.

The government’s policy initiatives in past six months played key role in reviving the economy from the COVID-19 and global economic slowdown. Dubai was among the first cities, which not only exited from the lockdowns but also opened its economy for businesses, investors and tourists under strict safety health measures.