New UAE Visa Rules 2023

Dubai is known as the "Trading Capital" of the Middle East and North Africa region, and is also an important logistics, trade, transportation, and tourism center for the East and West. Are you interested in this place? Through today's article, you will learn about:

1. Validity of Freezone Visas Modified

2. Visa Fees Increase

3. Emirates ID Replaces Visa Stamps on Passports

4. Visa On-arrival Policies Have Changed

5. New Visa-free Destinations

6. Smart Ways to Apply for a Visa

The UAE recently implemented significant changes to its entry and residency visa policies as part of reforms that took effect in October 2022. These reforms have streamlined procedures, expanded the long-term Golden Visa scheme, and introduced a new five-year residency visa called Green Visas. In addition, there have been increases in visa service fees and longer grace periods for leaving the country after visa expiration.

01

Validity of Freezone Visas Modified

The validity of free zone visas in the UAE has been reduced from three to two years, with the change taking effect in October 2022 as part of the UAE visa reforms. The move standardizes the validity of work visas, which were previously three years for free zones and two years for the mainland.

02

Visa Fees Increase

The fees for availing all services offered by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) have increased by AED100. This includes the additional smart services fee for Emirates ID and residency visas.

03  Emirates ID Replaces Visa Stamps

      on Passports

The UAE has discontinued the practice of stamping residency visas on passports. Instead, residents will use their Emirates ID as their official residency document.

04

Visa On-arrival Policies Have Changed

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a favorable visa policy for travelers from different countries. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are exempt from obtaining a visa or permit to enter the UAE. They only need to produce their GCC country passport or national ID card upon arrival. Other nationalities may be eligible for a 30-day visa on arrival, which can be obtained without prior visa arrangements. There are also some countries that are eligible for a 90-day visa on arrival. Indian citizens holding a normal passport and either a visit visa issued by the USA, a green card issued by the USA, a residence visa issued by the UK, or a residence visa issued by the EU are eligible for a 14-day visa on arrival, given that the visas or green card is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival into the UAE. It’s important to note that passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the UAE and the list of countries eligible for visa on arrival may change, so it’s advisable to check with the UAE embassy in your country before traveling to the UAE.

05

New Visa-free Destinations

The Emirati passport provides its holders with visa-free entry to 112 countries, granting access to more than 50% of the world without a visa requirement. The passport also grants visa-free entry to the Schengen area, which includes many European territories. Some of the countries that Emiratis can visit without a visa include France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Spain, among others. The duration of stay without a visa varies from country to country and ranges from 15 to 180 days. This visa-free travel is a significant perk of holding an Emirati passport and makes travel easier and more convenient for its holders.

06  Smart Ways to Apply for a Visa

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai has introduced a new video conferencing service to complete residency visa applications. The service was launched on January 11, 2023 and allows applicants to submit documents and complete the application process digitally. Customers can follow up on their transactions through video calls and send any required documents through a chat box. The aim of the service is to achieve a “zero visit” goal, but in rare cases, if an application cannot be completed, an officer will send a link to schedule an appointment to visit the administration in person. This new service is a step forward in providing smart government services and making it easier for entrepreneurs to start their businesses in Dubai. The option to visit a service center in person is still available to those who prefer it.

SOLUTIONS Dubai branch specializes in providing one-to-one cross-border advisory services to new and existing clients, including Dubai company registration, UAE ID card, UAE visa, Dubai real estate advisory and the opening of local bank accounts in Dubai.

If you need any more information, feel free to contact SOLUTIONS. We will be glad to assist you.

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