No More One-Month Exit for Visit Visa Renewals
The UAE has revoked the condition of a one-month gap for renewing visit visas. People on such visas will no longer need to exit the country to get an extension of their stay here. They can now do it by paying Dh570 and stay for a month more without exiting the country, Khaleej Times reported today.
Brigadier Dr Rashid Sultan, a spokesperson for the UAE Ministry of Interior, said the ministry was re-implementing the decision No 337 of the year 2004 to enable all those who have visit visas to get an extension, according to the report.
“All companies and visitors should submit applications and transactions before the expiry date of the visa period to avoid violations. The immigration services will be provided at all UAE port of entries and immigration offices,” he reportedly said..
The official said the new rule is applicable for all entry permits. These permits would include transit visas, short-term (one month) and long-term visit (90 days) visas, student visas, visas for medical treatment and residence visas.
In the previous visa requirements, visit visa holders needed to exit the country after the expiry of the visa term and had to stay out of the country for at least a month before being able to re-enter on another visit visa.
He said that amending of visa status will be done electronically and without complications as part of the new procedure. People do not need to the leave the UAE, but they can amend their visa status and pay the required fees to facilitate the transactions for visitors and residents and to save money and time, according to the news report.
Obaid bin Suroor, Deputy Director of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs in Dubai, said that all the decision issued by the Ministry of Interior will be implemented by all immigration departments.