Picture used for illustrative purposes only.

Emadeddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) explained that the entry visa for residents of Gulf Cooperation Council countries and their escorts for a period of 30 days with the possibility of extending once for a period of 30 days is issued according to five requirements with a fee of Dhs350.

Through its smart services system “ECHANNELS” and the “UAEICP” smart application, the ICP provides customers with the service of issuing an extendable entry permit for GCC residents for a period of 30 days.

Customers can apply for the service through several methods, including the www.icp.gov.ae or the UAEICP smart application by logging in with their UAE PASS or username, searching for the service they want to apply for, filling in the application data where applicable, paying the service fees. In another way, they can visit any customer happiness centre to apply, or any type office approved by the ICP.

To get an entry visa to the UAE, five documents and conditions are required. Applicant must hold valid residence permit in one of the GCC countries. Original passport and a colored personal photo are required. Validity of the passport must not be less than 6 months when applying for an entry permit, and the validity of residence in the country in which applicant resides must not less than 3 months.

The fees for applying for an entry permit for the GCC resident amount to Dhs350, including Dhs100 for application, Dhs100 for issuance visa, Dhs100 for smart services and Dhs50 for electronic services and the authority. However, the service fees may vary according to the data entered in the application.

The application is rejected electronically after 30 days, in the event that it is returned due to data deficiencies or failure to complete the required documents. It is also declined if it is returned three times, due to inadequate data or failure to complete the required documents.

Only issuance fees and financial guarantees – if any – are refunded in the event that the application is rejected.

The ICP pointed out that the fees are refunded to the credit card within a period not exceeding six months from the date of submitting the application, or refunded by the procedures followed to recover fees by cheque or bank transfer – for banks located within the country only – and within a period not exceeding five years. The rules and regulations are subject to change without notice.