Families And Friends Of Dubai Residents Can Now Apply For UAE 90-Day Visit Visas

Families And Friends Of Dubai Residents Can Now Apply For UAE 90-Day Visit Visas

It is now possible for Dubai residents to sponsor their family and friends for a three-month stay, according to Khaleej Times. The report said the visa requires the host to pay a refundable deposit of AED 1,000, which can come up to AED 1,770, including typing fees.

In the report, it is recommended that individuals apply online for a 90-day visa by quoting a travel agent through the GDRFA website or mobile app. The UAE’s identity follows several changes announced by the Federal Commission for Customs and Port Security (ICP) over the past few weeks. Last week ICP announced implementing a new set of 15 updates to the intelligent service system, according to a report by Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The updates come as part of a plan to upgrade the service system in line with recent developments, meet customer needs and enhance the power and state’s ability to navigate the future.

“As of now, only individuals applying on the system can get these visas,” said Afi Ahmed from Smart Travels. “The individuals must apply for it online on the GDRFA website, on the app, or through an Amer typing center.” Mohammed, who lives in Dubai, said his mother had applied for a visa to visit the city. “Initially, I planned to apply for a 60-day visit visa through a travel agency,” he said. “But when I heard of the 90-day visa, I applied for it through an Amer center. It was a very easy process.”

The latest Update Includes the following:

• Issuance of group family visas for tourism, treatment, and patient companionship available for single and multiple entries of 60 days and 180 days.
• Exemption from fingerprint requirement for certain citizens when applying for issuance, renewal, or replacement of passport.
• The visa extension service has been expanded to provide a 30-day extension to single-time holders of 90-day visas while prohibiting renewal of resident visas valid for more than six months.
• The revamped Smart Services system also offers visa data cancellation and correction services in the accounts of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens without an Emirates ID.
• Visa extension for a relative or friend for one entry, two, or three entries for a 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day period.

However, overstaying tourists should be warned as they may face absconding charges, fines, and blacklisting by the UAE government. Fines start from AED 5,000 and vary according to the jurisdiction of the emirate. Tourists arriving in Dubai have a grace period of 10 days after their visa expires, although they must ensure they leave the country from Dubai.

A travel agent earlier told Arabian Business that absconding cases are being levied as the travel agency faces trouble from the ruling authority when it keeps its visa overstaying.