KHALEEJ TIMES, Monday, Mar 1, 2021 | Rajab 17, 1442
UAE tourist visa extended free; valid till March 31
Emirates:
Holders of expired tourist visas can now stay in the country until March
31, Khaleej Times has learnt.
A source with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA)
said the facility has been extended to holders of expired one-month and
three-month visit and tourist visas.
Moreover, travel agents confirmed to Khaleej Times that the validity of Dubai
visas they applied for on behalf of their clients have been automatically
extended to March 31. Several tourists, upon checking their e-visa status
online, also confirmed to Khaleej Times that their visas have been automatically
extended.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had on December 27 announced a free
one-month visa extension to all tourists. It came when several countries,
especially in Europe, imposed lockdowns and restrictions on movement and air
travel over a new, more infectious Covid-19 strain.
Indian and Pakistani diplomatic missions in UAE have also confirmed the reports.
"The Ministry has the honour to convey the decision of the government of the
United Arab Emirates to extend the validity of the foreigners who came to the
UAE on tourist visas and whose visas and entry permits have expired before
December 28, 2020. Their visas will now be valid till March 31, 2021, without
any charge," read the circular the Indian Embassy received, a copy of which
Khaleej Times has seen.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi also issued a press release which stated
that the validity of all visit visas/ entry permits issued before December 28
has been extended till March 31.
‘Visas issued by us
have been extended’
Inas Iqbal, an agent with Deira Travels stressed that the facility seems to have
been extended only for Dubai visa holders for now. “The overstay fines
travellers accumulated have also been waived off for visit visa holders whose
visas were issued in Dubai.”
Mathew John, managing director, Sandset Travels said, “The facility does not
seem to be available for visas issued by Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Many who heard
about this overstayed and ended up paying fines.” He advised passengers, “We
strongly advise passengers to check the online system before deciding to stay
back or planning their travel back home.”
Khaleej Times has reached out to the Federal Authority for Identity and
Citizenship (ICA) for clarification. However, a response is awaited.
An Indian passenger, whose visa expired on February 25, told Khaleej Times on
the condition of anonymity, “My husband, child, and I were supposed leave on
February 23. We came here to visit my father. Unfortunately, he contracted
Covid-19 and so, we obviously cannot travel right now. When we checked with the
travel agency, it showed that our visas had automatically been updated in the
system.”
Ravi Agarwal, another Indian passenger, said, “I was supposed to travel last
week, and my visa expires on March 3. However, I checked with my travel agent
and my visit visa date has been extended to March 31. I came here to meet my
relatives as my aunt is unwell. I plan to stay longer. The news came as a
pleasant surprise and it has highly benefitted my family.”
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