The UAE, one of the top five countries for booking tours for the New Year (details here), resumed issuing tourist visas for a period of 60 days instead of 30. This information was published by the Khaleejtimes newspaper, citing local travel agencies.
The changes were part of a massive reform known as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Improved Visa System, which came into force on October 3, according to Federal Office for Identification, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP).
“We were among the first to receive a 60-day visitor visa for a client. We currently charge 500 dirhams (about 8,700 rubles) for this,” explained Afi Ahmed, managing director of Smart Travel.
Other travel agencies have also confirmed the issuance of visas for long-term travelers. “We were able to get a two-month visitor visa for our client. There is some difference in the cost of a child visa compared to a 30-day visa,” added a representative of Deira Travels.
A spokesman for Pluto Travels also noted that they are still awaiting some clarification from the immigration department: “However, we know that the 60-day visit visa has come into effect and is already being issued.”
The improved visa system has introduced one of the largest reforms in the UAE in the field of obtaining residence permits and entry permits. According to details announced by the UAE Cabinet back in April, all entry visas will be valid for 60 days from the date they were issued.
Here are some of the changes that have taken effect:
- Tourist visas will now allow tourists to legally enter the UAE for up to 60 days, up from the previous 30 days.
- It became possible to issue a 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa, which allows travelers to stay in the country for up to 90 days continuously and can be extended for a similar period, provided that the entire period of stay does not exceed 180 days in one year. This visa requires proof of a bank balance of $4,000 (254,000 rubles) or its foreign currency equivalent within six months prior to application.
- A work visa no longer requires a sponsor or host. The UAE will now issue green visas for a period of 5 years to skilled workers, the self-employed, freelancers, partners, investors, as well as people with a scientific degree. Green visa holders are also given the opportunity, without relying on a UAE citizen or employer, to sponsor close family members, including spouses, children and first-degree relatives, for the duration of their stay. Job search or business entry visas are issued for 60, 90 or 120 days. The visa is granted to persons having the first, second or third level of qualification in accordance with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization. New graduates of the world's top 500 universities can also apply. The minimum level of education must be a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- The monthly salary requirement has been reduced from AED 50,000 (about RUB 800,000) to AED 30,000 (about RUB 500,000) ).
- Parents can now sponsor male children up to the age of 25, while the previous age limit was 18. At the same time, unmarried daughters and children with disabilities will be granted a residence permit regardless of age.
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