The UAE has reinstituted the three-month visit visa, Khaleej Times reports. The three-month or 90-day visa was scrapped at the end of last year and a long-term 60-day visa was introduced for visitors willing to visit the country for a longer duration.

A spokesperson at the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) said that people who wish to stay in the UAE for 90 days can do so. “They should consult their travel agents who will help them in issuing the 90-day visit visa,” said the call center executive.

It is expected to be reintroduced by the end of May 2023, allowing visitors to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days. However the visa can be extendable within the country at an additional cost based on the service provider.

Permit types for entry

There are two types of entry permits - a tourist visa and a visit visa. A tourist visa is issued for 30 or 60 days. It is a 90-day visit visa,” said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, Regal Tours Worldwide's senior manager for inbound and outbound operations. Travelers can plan their itineraries more easily with this extended visit visa, which complements the existing 30-day and 60-day tourist visa options.

Visitors seeking shorter stays in the UAE have long favored the 30-day and 60-day tourist visas, which provide ample time to explore the country's iconic landmarks and enjoy world-class shopping and dining.

Who is eligible to apply?

Rooh Tourism LLC sales director Libin Varghese says residents are not aware of the new three-month visa that has been reintroduced by the government.

Industry experts said that anyone can apply for this visa and it is valid for Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

There has not been much interest in this entry permit, and those who prefer it are their family members living in the UAE, who want to stay longer. Take for instance, a child who is studying in his home country visits the UAE during vacation or the parents of a resident,” said Varghese.

Background

Before a few years ago, the UAE had only two types of entry permits: a leisure visa, which was valid for three months, and a tourist visa, which was valid for 30 days. “But, recently, there were several changes that were introduced to visa procedures last year. The three-month visa could also be extended while staying within the country by paying the extension fee and it was very popular,” said Subair.

The visa fee

Visa fees for 90-day visas vary depending on your issuing travel expert, with a starting price of Dh1,500 and going up to Dh2,000, which can be extended within the country. “The exact details of the extension have not been announced as the visa was introduced a few days ago,” said Varghese.

Required documents

To apply for a long-term visit visa, one must submit the following documents:

- Recent passport-size coloured photograph

- Passport copy

- Processing time

The process of applying for this newly introduced visa may take up to five working days. It can even be received in two days," said Subair.