Expired UAE visit visas valid till January 26

Dubai - Khaleej Times spoke with a few tourists who also confirmed an automatic extension to their visas until the end of January.

Tourists whose visas expired between December 19 and January 15 can stay in the UAE until January 26, according to the information shared by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs contact centre.

Khaleej Times spoke with a few tourists who also confirmed an automatic extension to their visas until the end of January.

This is in line with the announcement made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on December 27, allowing a free one-month visa extension for tourists. The announcement had come at a time when several countries, especially in Europe, were imposing lockdowns and restrictions on movement and air travel.

Tourists are therefore expected to benefit from this move and avail of this extension to spend more time in the UAE.

“I’d arrived here with my daughter on December 3 to spend New Year’s Eve with my husband who works here. Our visa was valid until January 3, but after the announcement by the UAE government my travel agent called to inform that our visa is now valid until the end of January,” said Vani Agarwal, who has rescheduled her plans to return to Canada and is excited to spend the next three weeks exploring Dubai and other emirates.

Nafisa Khatundiwala, a new mum, shares similar excitement. “It was such a good surprise on the New Year’s Eve. My mother had arrived in October to see her newborn grandson and spend some time with us. She was scheduled to leaveflyflight out on January 8, but on learning about the visa extension, we had called the Indian Embassy to check. They guided us to GDRFA website and we were able to confirm the extension given to her. She is now flying out on January 26. I am so happy we can spend some more days with her. It has been a good start to this year,” she said.

Visitors to the UAE whose visa expired after December 19 can visit www.amer.ae to check their visa status online or visit any of the Amer centres for assistance.

suneeti@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai