Good News! Tourists Can Now Extend their UAE Visit Visa from within the Country!

The UAE has brought several changes in the visit visa procedures since October 2022. The changes made by the Immigration and Citizenship Program (ICP) are among the major residency and entry pass reforms. A recent development making headlines is that tourists in the UAE with a 30 or 60 days visit visa can now stretch their stay within the UAE for another 30 days.

This change to visa extension terms was made by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). Note that the maximum duration to which the extension can be made is 120 days.

It is important to note that this extension can be made to both long-term and short-term visit visas in the UAE.

Know How It’s Done!

So if you are planning to extend your stay, you can certainly contact your travel insurance agent or sponsor. However, make sure that you start the whole process before your existing visa expires so that you have sufficient time to get the extension processed. To make sure that the process is completed seamlessly, make sure that you keep your passport ready. Your agent will contact you if any additional documents would be needed.

The cost of an extension for a month is AED 1,050, while the visa extension fee is AED 600 in addition to a 5% value added tax. If you are sponsored from within the UAE, additional charges will apply such as Knowledge Fees (AED 10), Innovation Fees (AED 10), and fees inside the country (AED 500). These are the costs you would need to pay the travel agent who helped in getting the visa issued in the first place.

If you plan on doing the same procedure via ICP’s website, the costs will vary. For instance, the visa extension request charges here are AED 100, while the issuance fee is AED 500.

This extension will surely help you for a plethora of purposes including business, family visits, and tourism. The extra time that you earn in your bucket is perfect to explore the country, shop around, ensure that your business is set to operate, enjoy culinary delights, and so much more. This extension of visit visa is sure to give you a chance to enjoy the UAE’s top-of-the-world hospitality.

Written By - Tanvi Pathak

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