GCC Residents Can Now Extend Their E-Visa For 30 Days; Application Process, Fees & More

Dubai has many exciting landmarks that are worth exploring. And if you happen to be someone who is looking to visit Dubai and is a GCC resident, then you are in for some brilliant news. We say this because now GCC residents and their companions can apply for an additional 30-day e-visa to enter the UAE. Here’s more about this important development.

GCC Residents Can Extend Their E-Visa In UAE

The folks in the GCC are in for some brilliant news! According to a recent report by the Khaleej Times, it was revealed that the residents of GCC and their companions can enter the UAE with a 30-day e-visa. Not to mention, they can also extend the same for an additional 30 days as announced by the UAE Digital Government on October 14. This is big news as earlier residents were not allowed to extend their visas in the UAE. Previously, if they wished to extend their visa, they had to leave the country and apply for a new visa!

For those who weren’t aware, the visa is a pre-requisite for people residing in countries, like Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, if they wish to enter the UAE. For this purpose, they have to fill up an online application form that can be processed through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs in Dubai. They can also do so through Smart channels of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.

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What About The Process?

However, before one applies for e-visas, one must know of the following conditions regarding the e-visa application.

• E-visas will be sent to the registered email address only when the application has been approved.
• In case a person is travelling with the sponsor, the visa will not be approved if they are not travelling with their sponsor.
• For GCC residents, the entry permit is valid for 30 days from the date of the issuance of the visa. They can get the visas extended for an additional 30 days. For the companions of GCC citizens, the entry permit is valid for 60 days from the day of issuance and their visa is extendable for an additional 60 days.
• Entry will be denied to GCC residents if the visa has been cancelled upon arrival or has expired. Not to mention, if the profession of the GCC resident is found to have changed after the insurance of the entry permit, they will not be granted entry.
• For this visa, the GCC residency of the applicant must be valid for at least one year from the date of arrival. And the passport of the GCC residents must be valid for at least six months before their arrival date.

What About The Fees?

So, if you meet all the aforementioned conditions, you can apply for a permit on the official website of the GDRFAD. For this purpose, the applicants must register as users and then select the appropriate service and finish their application form. Additionally, their personal photo must have a white background and they will have to pay a fee of AED250 plus VAT when applying for the visa.

Once the visa has been approved, it will be sent to the email address of the applicant.

Cover Image Courtesy: X/GDRFADUBAI