Travel agents and tour operators have reported that Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency Sand Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has increased the cost of a single entry visa for Dubai.
The 30-day tourist visa was previously priced at AED 210 (US $57.17) and from January 1, this increased AED 40 ($10.89) to AED 250 ($68.06), according to Xpress.
Kulwant Singh Lama of Lama Tours, which issues around 150,000 visas a year, told the news outlet: “It is a small increase and the visa cost remains lower than in many Western countries where it can go up to AED 600 ($163.35)."
GDRFA has also now withdrawn the 10-day grace period for tourist visas, and the option to extend it for a month, which some tour operators believe will curb visa exploitation.
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Singh added: “The non-extension clause will ensure that people will no longer misuse tourist visas.
“Tourist visas will now be used only by genuine tourists who want to see Dubai and all the amazing things it offers, including the hotel packages, tours and safaris."
The report adds that tourists looking to seek employment in the UAE may be impacted by not being able to extend their visas, and these individuals may have to opt for the three-month visit visa.
Last year, a unified GCC visa for tourists and business people from 35 Arab and foreign countries was discussed a high-ranking Kuwaiti official.
The Schengen-style visa would allow a person to visit the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman under a single visa once the system is finalised.
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