UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced an update to its
visa exemption policy. It will now allow citizens from as many as 87 countries to enter the country without needing a pre-entry visa. The UAE government's latest initiative is aimed at simplifying travel restrictions for tourists and fostering a more accessible visitation process to the Middle Eastern country, the Gulf News reported.
As per the updated regulations, people from 110 countries will now be required to obtain a visa before
they arrive in the UAE.Those planning to visit the country are advised to check the list of exempted countries and other visa requirements on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at mofa.gov.ae/en/visa-exemptions-for-non-citizen.
GCC citizens are not required to have a visa or sponsorship to visit the country, the UAE Digital Government has clarified. They can enter the country by simply presenting a passport issued by a GCC state or an identity card once they arrive at UAE ports of entry.
Those individuals who are exempted from prior visa arrangements can obtain a valid entry visa for 30 days upon arrival in
UAE, with a grace period of 10 days.
Moreover, a visa for 90 days upon arrival can be obtained by citizens from select countries.
How Indian citizens can access a visa-on-arrival facility in UAE
According to the Gulf News report, Indian citizens “holding ordinary passports, a visit visa or permanent resident card issued by the USA, or a residence visa in the UK and European Union countries valid for at least six months” are allowed for the visa on arrival facility. This will allow them to stay in the country for 14 days, with the option to extend their visit for an additional 14 days.
The UAE visa on arrival facility is available for citizens of Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Belarus, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Bahamas, Netherlands, the UK, the US, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vatican, Hellenic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, Fiji and Kosovo.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
