If you’re planning a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), there are some recent changes to the country’s visa regulations that you’ll want to be aware of. Whether you’re a tourist, business traveller, or visiting family and friends, these changes may have an impact on your plans.

Keep reading to know the most important changes to your UAE visit visa and what you need to know to ensure a smooth and hassle-free visit.

These changes include;

• Entry permission for friends or family visits: According to the most recent revision, a visitor may apply for this entry permit if they are a friend or relative of a UAE national or resident. A refundable payment of Dhs 1000 can be made by a friend or relative to sponsor the applicant.

• Application Fee increase: Both the visa and Emirates ID application fees have gone up. A spokesman from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) stated that the increased fees apply to all services provided by the organization. According to the new regulations, an Emirates ID now costs Dh370 instead of Dh270, and a one-month visit visa now costs Dh370 rather than Dh270.

• No extension of visit visas: The ability to extend a visit visa from within the nation is not available to holders of these visas. Those who have a visitation visa and wish to extend their stay must leave the UAE and then return on a new visitation visa. Afi Ahmed, Managing Director of Smart Travels, claimed that visitors might pay to extend their visas for one month. “Thereafter, they must leave the country by air or land and may return.”

• Extension of validity: The validity of visit visas has been extended from 30 days to 60 days. This means that visitors can stay in the UAE for a maximum of 60 days on a single entry visit visa. So, for people wishing to visit the nation, 30-day and 60-day visit visas are currently available.

• Multiple entry visa: A multiple entry visit visa is now available for certain nationalities. This allows visitors to enter and exit the UAE multiple times within a certain period of time, usually six months. Foreigners can enter the UAE several times with this five-year multiple-entry visa on their own initiative and stay there for 90 days each time. Without leaving the country, holders may extend their visas for an additional 90 days. The visa, according to the authorities, enables families living abroad to visit their family members in the UAE more frequently. A copy of the flight ticket, proof of UAE health insurance, a bank statement for the previous six months showing a balance of $4,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies, and proof of residence—such as an invitation letter from friends or relatives in the UAE—are all required for those applying for the multiple entry visa.

• Overstay fine: Visitors who exceed the allotted time on their visit visas must pay the overstay fine and purchase an out pass or leave permit before leaving the country. This is applicable to travellers who are exiting through Dubai. However, Visitors leaving from other emirates do not need an exit pass, according to the statement.

The United Arab Emirates has made these several changes to its visit visa policies as a result of the extensive revisions referred to as the Advanced Visa System. It was one of the biggest modifications to the UAE’s residence and entry permit laws, and it was implemented by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP).

However, it is important to note that these changes are subject to change, and visitors should always check the latest visa requirements before planning their trip to the UAE.