New Visa Rules in UAE: 60-day entry now standard for many visitors

The UAE will allow visitors and holidaymakers to enter and stay for 60 days as standard.

The decision to double the time tourists can stay is one of a series of visa changes approved by the Cabinet.

It will benefit people looking for longer breaks and those who are considering a permanent move.

While there are separate visas available for jobseekers ­– called a job exploration entry visa – a 60-day tourist visa would allow people an idea of what the lifestyle and job market have to offer.

“Major improvements include facilitating the entry requirements for all visa types, offering flexible visa durations that meet the needs of the visitors and the purpose of the visit,” the UAE Government Media Office said on Monday.

“In addition, all entry visas are available for single or multiple entry, can be renewed for similar periods and are valid for 60 days from their issuance date.”

All entry visas are available for single or multiple entry and can be renewed for similar periods and are valid for 60 days from their issuance date

UAE Government Media Office

Until now, a 30-day visit visa on arrival was standard for many nationalities including British, Americans and Australians.

After 30 days, there was a nine-day grace period before fines for overstaying were applied. This amounted to a costly Dh200 on the first day and Dh100 for each consecutive day.

In contrast, visitors from countries that do not have a visa-on-arrival arrangement with the UAE, such as India and Pakistan, must arrange a paid-for visa in advance through a travel agency.

Meanwhile, visitors from Schengen zone countries in Europe have different arrangements, with 90 days allowed in any 180-day period.

The announcement on Monday made no reference to any changes to these arrangements.

Tourism numbers have steadily grown since the coronavirus pandemic slump when aircraft worldwide were grounded and lockdowns became the norm.

Dubai International Airport, the busiest in the world for international traffic, recorded 29.1 million passengers through its terminals in 2021.

This was above the 28 million target the airport set but far below the 86.4 million passengers who used it in 2019.

Dubai airport chiefs predict close to 60 million travellers will use the airport this year as traffic and Dubai's tourism industry continue to recover.