The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ceased issuing three-month visit visas. This decision was confirmed by travel agents and a call center executive at the Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). The option to request a three-month visit visa has been removed from the portal travel agents use to issue permits.
The three-month entry permit was previously available but has now been discontinued. However, the UAE continues to offer 30- and 60-day visas.
The 60-day visa was introduced as an alternative when the UAE authorities initially decided to discontinue the three-month visit visa during the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-month scheme was reinstated in May as a leisure visa but has now been suspended.
Despite the discontinuation of the three-month facility, first-degree relatives of UAE residents can still avail it. Residents are allowed to bring their parents or relatives on the three-month scheme.
Firoz Maliyakkal, founder and CEO of Tahira Tours and Travels, informed us that the issuance of long-term leisure visas has been temporarily suspended. He noted that the demand for this visa was slightly increasing due to the winter months ahead.
This decision marks a significant change in the UAE’s visa policy and is expected to impact travelers planning extended stays there.
