Visit Visa Holders are no longer needed to Exit to change visa
Visit visa-holders no longer need to leave the country to change the standing of their visa to a residency permit, the Ministry of Interior disclosed on Sunday. Brigadier Dr Rashid Sultan Al Khadar, spokesman for the Naturalization, Residency and Ports section at the Ministry of the Interior, said that under resolution 377 of 2014, visa-holders of all sorts can alter the status of their entry and residency permits while remaining in the country.
“Customers will have the ability to amend the status of their entry permits electronically through a couple of rapid and user friendly measures,” he said.
“As an effect, visitors WOn’t have to leave the country, instead updating their visa status and paying all the mandatory fees while in the UAE.”
Comparing the resolution to the preceding rule, Brig Al Khadar said:
“Previously, if a person, while in the UAE on a visit visa, occurs to find a job, she or he will have had to depart the UAE to amend residency status. This isn’t any longer the situation. The same applies to partners of residents or anyone wanting to amend the conditions of their entry permits.”
He denied media reports that one-month visit visas will be allowed an extension and clarified that people that come on one-month visit visa, transit visa or tourist visa can instantly apply for another visa once they leave the country. An official from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) said the decision will help those wanting to amend their visa status with no burden of travel.
“The resolution is appropriate to every kind of entry permit,”
he said. Brig Al Khadar said the decision seeks to save time and effort.
“Companies and visitors should submit their applications to rekindle the status of their licenses before they expire to prevent any infractions,”
he said, adding that
“People can refer to any one of the immigration offices or ports of entry in the UAE for the services”.
Types of entry permits
Transit entry
30-day short visit visa
90-day long visit visa
Entry permits for medical treatment
Entry permits for study
Entry permits for exhibitions and conferences
Tourist visas
GCC resident entry permit
Work-related entry permit for 14 days
Work-related entry permit for 90 days
Work-related multiple-entry permit
Entry permit for work or residency