Valid from July 15 to September 15
Children of tourists, under the age of 18 visiting UAE will be exempted from visa fee, during the summer season from July 15th to September 15th of each year UAE cabinet announced recently.
The new law came in support of family tourism and to reduce the cost on visitors in the holiday season. The Cabinet’s decision reflects the UAE’s position in the global tourism sector as a prime destination attracting visitors and families from all over the world. The number of passengers traveling through the country’s airports reached 32.8 million passengers during the first quarter of this year. Visitors come to the UAE to enjoy hotels and tourism services, with a number of festivals and activities happening throughout the year. The decision of the Cabinet goes in line with the growth of the tourism sector in the country following the exemption of transit tourists from visa fees for the first 48 hours.
Taking a family vacation in Dubai or Abu Dhabi between July 15 and September 15 will now be cheaper. The UAE government has decided that minor children accompanying their parents during these two months will not have to pay tourist visa fees for accompanying dependents”, the UAE decision is for accompanying dependents below 18 years of age and is “effective from July 15 to September 15 of every year.”
This is the latest in a series of visa relaxation steps that UAE has taken to
boost visitor numbers. The newest move is for the time when summer break ends in Indi – one of UAE’s biggest tourism source markets – and to increase footfalls in its lean travel season. The per person tourist visa fee for UAE is about INR 6,000/-.
The latest move comes less than a month after UAE decided that people flying between India and the rest of world through its mega hubs like Dubai and Abvu Dhabi will be able to get a free transit visa to spend upto two days there. The UAE government has decided that to grant free visa transit visas for first 48 hours to transit passengers and this visa can be extended for yup to 96 hours by paying 50 Dirham. However the date from which this will be allowed is yet to be announced.
Major changes in UAE visa rules
The previous mandatory deposit of Dh3,000 per worker is now replaced by a new insurance scheme
AT A GLANCE: Major changes announced by UAE Cabinet
• UAE Cabinet announces decision to abolish mandatory bank guarantee for labour recruitment and replace it with a low-cost insurance system.
• New visa facilitation procedures for visitors, residents, families & people overstaying their visa also adopted.
• UAE exemption of transit passengers from all entry fees for first 48 hours approved. Transit visa extension for up to 96 hours for a fee of Dh50.
• Cabinet decision grants people overstaying their visa a chance to leave the country voluntarily without a “no entry” stamp on their passport.
• New 6-month visa to be introduced for job seekers who overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country. Temporary visa to enhance the UAE’s position as a land of opportunities, a destination for talents and professionals.
• UAE grants those who entered country illegally a chance to leave voluntarily with a ‘no entry’ stamp for 2 years, if they present return ticket.
• UAE Cabinet allows individuals wishing to adjust or renew their visa to do so for a fee, without having to leave and re-enter the country.
• UAE Cabinet adopts resolution on empowering ‘People of Determination’, enabling them to equal access the job market.
