The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new policy allowing foreigners to convert their visit visa to a residence permit without having to leave the country. According to the Abu Dhabi Residence Office, this change aims to simplify the immigration process for individuals currently in the UAE. The guidance clarifies that entry visas permit foreign nationals to stay legally in the UAE for a defined period, covering various purposes such as employment, tourism, medical treatment, family visits, and conferences.
Under the new rules, most entry visas are valid for 60 days, with the option to extend stay twice for up to 120 days in total. Transit visas, however, permit only a four-day stay. Individuals arriving on employment entry visas have 60 days to secure a residence permit or apply for an extension before their visa expires. This policy change provides applicants with sufficient time to finalize residence permit processes without needing to cross a border for a renewal stamp.
The UAE has also warned that overstaying a visa carries a daily fine of AED 100, equivalent to roughly GHC380. However, a 10-day grace period applies after the visa lapses, offering holders a brief window to act before charges start accumulating. Notably, visitors and tourists who hold residency in GCC countries, residents accompanying GCC nationals, those on special entry permits, and individuals on 96-hour mission permits are excluded from the extension provisions.
The confirmation is particularly significant for Africans living or working in the UAE, many of whom previously had to travel out of the country and return in order to change their visa status, a process that was both costly and time-consuming. This new policy is expected to ease the process for many individuals, saving them time and resources.
According to Jeffrey Owusu-Mensah, a journalist with YEN.com.gh, the new policy is a welcome relief for many foreigners living in the UAE. As the Head of the Entertainment Desk and a graduate of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) with over 15 years of experience in journalism, Owusu-Mensah has been following the developments in the UAE immigration policies.
The UAE government has been making efforts to streamline its immigration process, and this new policy is part of those efforts. The country has been a popular destination for foreigners, with many individuals drawn to its business opportunities and tourism industry. The new policy is expected to attract more foreigners to the country, boosting its economy.
In conclusion, the UAE's new policy allowing foreigners to switch from visit visa to residence permit in-country is a significant development that is expected to ease the immigration process for many individuals. The policy change provides applicants with more time to finalize their residence permit processes and avoids the need for costly and time-consuming travel.
Key points
- The UAE has introduced a new policy allowing foreigners to convert their visit visa to a residence permit without leaving the country.
- The policy change provides applicants with sufficient time to finalize residence permit processes, saving them time and resources.
- The new policy is expected to attract more foreigners to the country, boosting its economy.
