Immigration
UAE | Visa on Arrival Update
Summary
The UAE Government has recently amended the length of stay granted to specific nationalities eligible for a Visa on Arrival. Consequently, nationals from these countries can now travel to the UAE for 90 days within a 180 day period, for business and tourism purposes.
The detail
With immediate effect, the following countries are now eligible to enter the UAE on Visa on Arrival to the UAE s for a stay of up to 90 days. This is an amendment from the previous position, which granted these nationalities a stay of 30 days on entry to the UAE:
Australia
Brazil – Brazilian passport holders were previously granted a duration of stay of 90 days within a 12 month period
Canada
China
Japan
Singapore
United Kingdom
United States
Following this change, nationals of the above countries will now be granted a multiple-entry Visit Visa upon arrival at any port of entry within the UAE, provided the individual holds a passport that is valid for more than six months, with at least two blank visa pages. The multiple-entry Visit Visa will be valid for a total of 180 days from the date of entry for a total stay of up to 90 days.
What this means
Individuals can stay for up to 90 days during a 180 day period from date of first entry into the UAE, without having to leave the UAE every 30 days (as previously required for the above nationalities). This flexibility is especially beneficial for business travellers who may otherwise need to manage multiple visits to the country.
Employers will need to ensure that their business travellers are only conducting permissible business activities during any frequent trips or extended trips to the UAE. Individuals and employers will also need to keep track of the amount of time spent in the UAE over a 180 day period, so that it does not exceed 90 days. The 90 day ‘clock’ will restart once the 180 day period has been completed.
Overall, the extension of Visa on Arrival periods for these specific nationalities demonstrates the Government’s commitment to establish the UAE as a prominent global destination for business and leisure, and to also diversify the economy, in accordance with Tourism Strategy 2030.
How we can help
At Vialto Partners we possess the necessary expertise to help you navigate the ever-changing Immigration landscape within the UAE and we can support you with understanding how these changes could impact your business. We can advise you as to the visitor and business visa requirements, conduct assessments and ensure overall Immigration compliance.
We will continue to closely monitor and provide timely guidance on updates and changes announced by the UAE Government.
Contact us
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Anir Chatterji
EMEA Immigration Partner
Rekha Simpson
Director, Middle East Immigration
Umme Salma
Senior Manager, Middle East Immigration
Nasrine Abdi
Manager, Middle East Immigration
Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com
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