Abu Dhabi: The UAE Digital Government has announced that foreign residents of any Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country must obtain an electronic visa before travelling to the UAE.
The visa allows for a 30-day stay, with the possibility of a one-time extension for an additional 30 days. A government report states that securing an electronic visa is mandatory for entry into the UAE.
Applications 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 approved, the electronic visa will be sent to the applicant’s registered email.
It is important 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 travelling 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 issuance date, allowing a 30-day stay from the date of entry, extendable once for an additional 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 another 60 days.
Residency Requirements: Entry permit holders cannot enter the UAE if their residency has expired or been cancelled.
Profession Change: Any change in profession after the issuance of the entry permit will invalidate the visa.
Residency Duration: 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 Visas
The UAE also offers two types of transit visas.
48-Hour Transit Visa: This visa is free of charge and non-renewable.
96-Hour Transit Visa: Available for Dh50, this visa is also non-renewable.
Transit visas must be coordinated through national airlines, and visitors are required to apply for and obtain the visa before travelling. Applications can be submitted via the UAE’s smart platforms, including the Federal Authority’s E-channels or the smart app (UAEICP) available on both Apple and Android devices.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in the relevant emirate also provides electronic channels for this purpose.
Requirements for Transit Visas
To obtain a 48-hour transit visa, applicants must meet the following criteria.
The passport or travel document must be valid for at least three months upon entering the UAE.
A personal photo with a white background must be provided.
The traveller must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third destination.
The traveller 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, except the passport must be valid for at least six months.
