Navigating the intricacies of the visit visa extension Dubai rules in 2024 is essential for travellers wishing to prolong their stay in the bustling metropolis. The city’s updated regulations offer a seamless extension process, allowing visitors to savour the dynamic urban environment for up to 120 days a year. With the convenience of an online system and the necessity of exiting the country for renewal, understanding the new system is crucial for a stress-free stay.
We’re here to walk you through the various steps and considerations for extending your Dubai visit visa, ensuring you remain compliant with the latest procedures for the visitor’s passport while enjoying all that Dubai has to offer.
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New Rules and Regulations for Visa Extension In Dubai
Dubai, a city known for its ultramodern architecture and vibrant nightlife scene, has updated its visa extension rules to make the process easier for visitors. In 2024, if you’re on a visit visa in Dubai, you can apply for an extension of your stay. This means you can enjoy the city’s attractions and opportunities for a longer period without worrying about overstay fines.
The updated regulations allow visitors to extend the validity period of their UAE visa for an additional 30 days, which can be done twice for every 30 days. You can now stay for up to 120 days within a calendar year, ensuring you have plenty of time to explore the city or conduct business. However, it’s important to remember that this is the maximum duration allowed, and you can only extend your visa after this period.
Extending a visa has become more convenient with the introduction of an online system. You can now manage visa validity, and your entry permits easily through personal online accounts, streamlining the process of extending or cancelling visas. This digital approach is part of the UAE’s new entry and residence system, which aims to make the country an attractive hub for various activities.
A significant change is that travellers must now leave Dubai to extend their tourist visas. The UAE has suspended the option to renew visit visas from within the country. This can be done through airport-to-airport (A2A) services, where tourists are required to exit the country for a day before reapplying for a visa. For those with a 90-day visit visa, an extension for an additional 90 days is also possible.
Extending Your Visit Visa In Dubai Step-by-Step
Online Visa Extension Process
1. Check Your Eligibility
Before beginning the application process, ensure you are eligible for a UAE tourist visa extension. This includes being a citizen of an eligible country, holding a valid passport with at least six months remaining beyond your first tourist visa extension’s expiration date, having a confirmed return ticket, and possessing adequate funds for your stay.
2. Document Preparation:
- A completed visa extension application form.
- A photocopy of your passport’s biodata page and the page with your current UAE visa.
- A copy of your confirmed return or onward travel ticket.
- A recent passport-sized photograph.
- Proof of sufficient funds, such as a bank statement, employer letter, or sponsor letter.
- Application Submission:
3. Access the online portal for Dubai visa services:
- Choose the appropriate option for a passport or travel document, ensuring the details match the document used for the initial visa.
- Enter your Unified number and passport number, and select the type of document you possess.
- Fill in your date of birth and current nationality as per passport details.
- Click the search button to retrieve your visa information.
- Upload the prepared documents and fill out the online form with accurate details.
4. Payment of Fees:
The extension fee varies based on the duration of the extension (e.g., $136 for 30 days, $272 for 60 days). Pay this fee online using a credit or debit card.
Processing Time
Expect a processing time of 3-5 working days, though this may vary during peak seasons.
Visa Collection
Once your visa status is processed, you can collect your extended visa. The method of collection will be communicated to you, which could be through a visa application centre or local post office.
Offline Visa Extension Process
1. Visit a GDRFA Branch:
Find and visit your nearest General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs office.
2. Document Submission:
Provide the same set of documents as listed for the online process.
3. Fee Payment:
Pay the applicable extension fee at the service centre.
4. Processing and Collection:
After submission, the processing time is similar to the online method. Once your visa change or extension is approved, collect your passport and new visa as instructed by the GDRFA staff.
By following these steps, you can smoothly extend your visit visa in Dubai, ensuring compliance with UAE immigration rules and enjoying an extended stay in this dynamic city.
Special Cases and Exceptions
Extensions During Extraordinary Circumstances (Pandemics, etc.)
In the face of global crises such as pandemics, the UAE government has shown adaptability in visa policies. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, expired residency visas were automatically extended, providing relief to those unable to leave the country or renew their residence visas due to travel constraints. Additionally, individuals whose residency was revoked after March 1st were granted a 30-day grace period to secure new employment, adjust their sponsorship, or arrange their departure from the UAE.
Options for Family and Dependents
Expatriate residents in Dubai with a valid residence permit have the ability to sponsor their family members, provided they fulfil the minimum salary criteria, which is set at $1,090 or $817 plus accommodation. The sponsorship can extend to spouses, children, and parents under specific conditions. Male dependents can be sponsored up to 25 years of age, while female dependents are eligible regardless of age as long as they are single. In certain situations, a mother may sponsor her children, and a resident may sponsor their parents on an annual basis.
Should your visa be cancelled, your dependents are afforded six months to find a new residence permit.
Nationality-Specific Guidelines
Certain nationalities benefit from specific guidelines regarding visa extensions and residency visa holders. UAE nationals are privileged to sponsor their non-national spouse, parent, or child for a five-year residence visa, even if the sponsored individual is not employed in the UAE. Additionally, foreign women who are widowed or divorced with a child from a UAE national are eligible for a residence visa without the requirement of employment.
Converting Visit Visas to Other Visa Types
Visitors in Dubai who wish to change their visit visa to a different category, for example, due to the termination of employment, have the option to apply for a visa change ticket or a tourist visa to prolong their stay for an additional 90 days without incurring penalties. The conversion process entails an in-country fee and necessitates the submission of various documents, such as passport copies, photographs, and medical clearance certificates for individuals over 18.
The UAE has transitioned to an electronic residence permit system, eliminating the need for a residency visa stamp in passports, which streamlines the residency verification process. The e-permit includes all relevant personal, professional, and sponsorship information and is recognised as official proof of residency. It is crucial to stay informed about the latest resident visa guidelines and procedures, as they are subject to variation across different emirates and can be updated.
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FAQS
What is the fine for overstaying a visit visa in the UAE?
The penalty for exceeding the duration minimum validity of your visit visa is $14 per day. The UAE has recently removed the 10-day grace period for tourists, necessitating departure by the visa’s expiry date to avoid these charges.
How much is the fee for a visitor visa extension in UAE?
Through the “ICP” smart application, the fee for a 30-day extension is $204, which encompasses $140 for visa issuance, $27 for the application process, $27 for smart services, and $14 for insurance and authority charges. This visa extension fee can be requested only once.
Can we extend our UAE visit visa without exit?
The ICP enables the extension of visit visas for relatives or friends within the UAE. A passport with a minimum of six months’ validity and the required documents, including the original entry permit and a compliant personal colour photo, are necessary for this process.
How can I extend my 90-day visit visa in UAE?
To extend a 90-day visit visa, the application must be made through the “ICP” smart application. The extension for visit visa holders is granted once for an additional 30 days at a fee of $204. Applicants must be relatives or friends of a UAE citizen or resident, with proof of the relationship and reasons for the visit. Refunds for the visa extension service are issued within six months of the application date via credit card or through a cheque or bank transfer for accounts within the UAE within a maximum period of five years.
Smooth Sailing in Visa Extension
Navigating the visa extension landscape in Dubai is now more streamlined than ever. With the new online system and clearly outlined processes, the city welcomes you to extend your adventure or business pursuits easily. Whether you’re soaking up the sun, closing deals, or just unwinding amid the city’s bustling energy, rest assured your extended stay is just a few clicks away.
Remember, the key to a stress-free extension stay longer is to stay informed and act promptly before your current visa expires. By keeping these guidelines handy and adhering to the rules, you can ensure your time in Dubai is all about making memories—or making strides in your projects—without the hassle of visa woes. Embrace the treasures of Dubai for longer, and let the city’s ever-evolving skyline inspire your extended stay.
