Including British citizenship, the United Arab Emirates has allowed foreigners of all nationalities to apply for a multiple-entry tourist visa valid for five years from the date of issuance, without requiring a guarantor or a host within the country, providing that the tourist may stay in the country for a period that does not exceed 90 days in one year.
The new executive regulation for the entry and residence of foreigners, which will come into force on the third of next October, sets four requirements for obtaining this visa.
I: Provide proof of a bank balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies during the last six months prior to submitting the application.
II: Pay the prescribed fee and financial guarantee.
III: Health insurance.
IV: A copy of the passport and a personal color photograph.
Several advantages are granted by this visa, as it allows the beneficiary to stay in the country for a continuous period that does not exceed 90 days. However, this period may be extended for a similar period, provided that the entire period of staying in the country does not exceed 180 days in one year.
The regulation introduced several visitor visas, and the period of the visitor’s stay was determined by the purpose of the his/her visiting the country, as determined by the authority in this regard. In all cases, the period of stay should not exceed one year, with the necessity of paying the prescribed fee and guarantee. In determining the value of the fee to be paid, the part of a month is considered a whole month, and it is permissible by a decision of the head of the authority or whomever he/she authorizes to extend the entry visa for the visit for a similar period or periods, in the event that the seriousness of the reason for the extension is proven and the fees due have been paid.
The electronic government stated that the UAE issues single or multiple-entry tourist visas, as the short-term tourist visa allows the visitor to stay in the country for 30 days, while the long-term tourist visa allows 90 days, and the single tourist visa can be extended twice without the need to leave the country.
The electronic government advised those wishing to visit the UAE to ensure, before applying for a tourist visa, that they may not need to apply for a visa, as they could own one of the nationalities eligible to obtain an entry visa upon arrival in the UAE, or a visa-free entry.
According to the decision of the Council of Ministers, tourists are allowed to obtain a fee-free entry visa for their children under the age of eighteen.
