According to residents and travel agencies, Dubai residents who want to host their family or friends in the country can now obtain a 3-month visit visa. For this, the host must pay a refundable deposit of around Dh1,000.
KV, a PRO for a Dubai-based company, said that he had secured these visas for his company employees. He added, ” I have applied for this visa for family members of my two colleagues in the last month. He stated, “I approached the AMER center in Karama near the post office to initiate the process. The process was easy, and as per my experience, the family must be immediate blood relatives like mother, father, or siblings”.
According to him, the total service cost was Dh 770. He added, “The deposit was Dh1,000, and the visa with typing charges and free service cost was Dh770.
In October 2022, sweeping reforms were made to entry visas in the UAE as a part of the Advanced Visa System. However, it introduced the most extensive residency and permit reforms in the UAE till now.
Though as per the travel agencies in the country, they cannot apply for these visas in their systems.
Afi Ahmed from Smart Travels said, “As if now, only individuals who apply on the system can get these visas. “
He added that ” the individuals must apply for it online on the GDRFA website, on the app or through an Amer typing center.”
Also, Dubai-based Mohammed said he had applied for a visa for his mother to travel to the city. He added, “Initially, I planned to apply for a 60-day visit visa through a travel agency, but when I heard of a 90-day visa, I applied through an Amer center.
Following the advanced visa services, new entry permits were introduced. Some of them are listed below:
- job explanation entry visa
- For a business entry visa
- A five-year multi-entry tourist visa
- To seek medical treatment
- For temporary work and
- For studies and training
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) announced a new package of updates to improve the services delivered to the citizens, residents, and visitors through its innovative services systems.
Besides February 1, 2023, the ICP has also adopted 15 services updated in its innovative services systems.