UAE allows tourists to extend their visit visas from within the country

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) states that tourists holding visit visa of 30 or 60 days now can extend their visas for another 30 days without exiting the country.  

The authorities said that after the issuance of the visit visa, the tourist must enter the country within 60 days from the date of issuance, and the validity of the entry permit will be 30 days or 60 days, depending on the visa sought.

The tourist must leave the country or extend the entry permit before expiration to avoid being fined with Dhs100 for each day, according to ICP.

In 2022, the UAE made major reforms to visa procedures.

According to the reformed services, an individual can obtain a visit visa for 30 or 60 days.

After which the tourist will be eligible for an additional 30-day stay, which he/she must apply immediately to avoid fines.

The authorities clarified that the maximum extension period for a visit visa is 120 days.

ICP also made it possible to extend the visa for a period of 30 days through the ICP’s smart channels, but it is not allowed to apply for residency renewal if the residency validity is more than 6 months (separate residency services).

The authorities urged tourists to make visa arrangement through licensed travel agents and hotels to avoid being scammed.

Licensed agencies in respective countries can update tourist packages available to the UAE in collaboration with local tour operators.

The cost of issuance of a single-entry tourist visa:

Tourist visa fee for 30 days: Dhs300
Tourist visa fee for 60 days:
Dhs500 Plus VAT (5%).
Knowledge Fee: Dhs10
Innovation Fee: Dhs10
Fee inside the country: Dhs500

The cost of extending a tourist visa for a single or multiple trips:

Visa extension fee: Dhs600
In addition to the value added tax (5%).

Additional fees (if the sponsored person is inside the country):
Knowledge Fee: Dhs10
Innovation Fee: Dhs10
Fee inside the country: Dhs 500

ICP called on everyone to download the UAEICP smart application and take advantage of the many and varied services provided, including a request for a visit visa, which requires logging in through the app with the UAE Pass digital identity, then selecting “Start a new service”, then clicking on “New visa” where a list containing a visa for several trips would appear, depending on the type of visit visa, 30 days, or 60 days.

The UAE has launched world-class services for cater the tourism sectors, attracting families and solo adventures from all sectors of the world.