UAE: How to Extend Visit Visa
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It’s everyone’s dream to visit Dubai at least once in a lifetime. Home to the tallest structure in the world, Dubai is the perfect retreat to relax and unwind for work-ridden officegoers. From a small port city to one of the biggest metropolises in the world, Dubai has held up to the standards of many a pioneer.
Along with the many policies designed to encourage business setup in Dubai, procuring a visa has become easier. If you plan on staying for more than 14 days, you will have to apply for a visit visa. In order to do that, you will require a sponsor. The sponsor can be one of the following:
- Company
- A UAE Resident
- A travel agency or hotel that’s licensed in UAE
Key Differences between Tourist Visa and Visit Visa
The most distinct difference between a tourist visa and visit visa in UAE is the time period. A tourist visa will fetch you 30 days in UAE, while a visit visa can be extended up to 90 days.
Some other differences:
- A visit visa can be used to attend business meetings, seminars, events, etc. A tourist visa can be used only for recreational purposes like tourism, travel, etc.
- A tourist visa will give you either 14 days or 30 days, depending on your choice. The latter can be extended to 40 days. With a visit visa, you can stay for 90 days.
- Correspondingly, the fee for a visit visa is higher than that of a tourist visa. A 90-day visit visa can cost you around AED 830 while a 30-day tourist visa can cost you around AED 300.
- A tourist visa can only be extended and not converted to a different type of visa. Whereas, a visit visa can be converted into an employment visa.
- A visit visa is valid up to 6 months, while a tourist visa is valid for 2 months.
- A visit visa must be sponsored by a citizen of UAE while a tourist visa can be sponsored by a friend, relative, hotel, or a UAE-licensed travel agency.
Types of Visit Visas for Dubai
90 days Visit Visa: A 90-day visit visa typically costs you around AED 830. It must be used within 58 days from the time of its issuance. It is valid for 90 days from the date of entry into the UAE.
Single-entry long-term visa, leisure 90 days: The validity for this visa is also 58 days, and grants you 90 days in the country.
eVisa for GCC Residents: If you’re an expatriate resident of one of the GCC countries, you will be eligible for the application of an eVisa. The entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance. The visa is valid for 30 days, and can be extended to 60 days.
Multi-entry long-term visa: This visa is similar to a 90-day visit visa: it has an entry validity of 58 days, and lasts for 90 days. The difference is that you can make multiple entries into UAE in those 90 days.
Multi-entry short-term visa: This visa is valid for 30 days and has an entry permit of 58 days from the date of issuance. With this visa, you will be able to carry our multiple entries into the UAE.
How to Renew Visit Visa in Dubai
There are primarily four ways you can go about renewing your visit visa.
- Through the DNRD Office
If you wish to remain in the UAE, then you have the option of submitting an application at the Department of Naturalization and Residency (DNRD). The submission will cost AED 500.
- Visa Run
You can leave the UAE and return by booking a visa run. The process is fairly simple and can be carried out from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain, or Kish Island.
- Visa Flight
This method can cost you up to AED 1000. After landing, enter the departure terminal and take a flight back to the UAE. Once you land in the UAE, you will be provided with a visit visa for another 30 or 60 days. This method is time-consuming and very costly.
- Drive over Border
In this method, you will require an exit stamp from the border. Once you get the stamp, you can proceed to Oman Border Control. Ensure that you keep the ticket safely, as it would be required to return to the UAE. Once in Oman, head to the immigration office, procure an entry stamp and a new visa. You can get the exit stamp from Oman for AED 60. The last step would be going back to the UAE border to get your new visit visa approved.
Article 12 of the Federal Law No. 6 of 1973 Concerning Immigration and Residence as amended by virtue of Law 7 of 1985, Law 13 of 1996, and Federal Decree-law No. 17 of 2017 states:
Any foreigner entering the Country with visit visa or permission shall have to leave the Country on the expiry date of such visa or permission either through cancellation or expiry period thereof – unless he has obtained a residence license. Any foreigner who is exempted from the requirement of obtaining a permit or visa in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 2 of this law must leave the country within a period not exceeding thirty days as of the date of entry into the country unless he obtains a permit to stay during this period.
UAE Visit Visa Requirements for Non-US Citizens
If you’re travelling from one of the countries mentioned below, you will be granted a one-month visit visa.
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden Switzerland, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (Except the British overseas citizens), Uruguay, and Vatican.
You will also be required to:
- Produce your original passport that must not expire within 6 months from the expected date of arrival into the UAE.
- Confirmed Return ticket or ticket to another destination.
UAE Visit Visa Requirements for GCC Nationals
If you’re a citizen of one of the GCC Countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), you do not require a visa to visit the UAE.
A 30-day nonrenewable visit visa is available only to doctors, engineers, government officials, and other reputable designees. The other will have to go through an elaborate procedure to become eligible.
UAE Visit Visa Requirements for Other Nationalities
Countries not among the aforementioned list will be required to contact the UAE embassy after presenting a valid passport and fulfilling all other requirements.
Note that the rules governing the eligibility and issuance of visa always keep changing. Hence, it is necessary to get in touch with the official authorities to keep yourself updated.
In a Nutshell
You will be able to extend all types of tourist and visit visas for 30 days, twice. This can be accomplished without exiting the UAE. Each renewal costs around AED 600, and must be done before the original expires.
A fine of AED 100 each day will be imposed on those who do not renew their visa.
However, the following categories are exempted from this rule:
- Those on special-entry permits
- Visitors and tourists who are residents of GCC countries
- Those on 96-hour permits for special missions
- Residents accompanying GCC nationals
FAQs
Q: Which is the cheapest visa for Dubai?
A: Service visa of 14 days or a 30-day tourist visa. Both cost the same: AED 335.
Q: How do I renew my visit visa?
A: The immigration center in UAE will facilitate the renewal of your visa.
Q: When will the visa security deposit be refunded?
A: You will be refunded after you depart from UAE
Q: How much is the refundable deposit for visit visa?
A: The refundable deposit is USD 272.50
Q: Will the security deposit be refunded in case of visa application failure?
A: Yes, the security deposit will be refunded within 4 days.
Q: How long before I apply for a visit visa?
A: You must apply for it at least 2 months before the date of departure.
Q: How much is the fine for failure to renew visa?
A: A fine of AED 100 will be levied on you every day after 10 days of your visa expiry.
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