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New UAE visa rules to come into effect in September

• Environment

Changes in entry and residency regulations for foreigners were announced on Monday

Dubai: The new entry and residency scheme for foreigners in UAE will be active as of September this year.

The UAE cabinet, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the executive regulations of the Federal Decree-Law on Entry and Residence of Foreigners aimed at strengthening the UAE position as an ideal destination to live, work and invest.

• UAE announces new entry and residency rules

The new visa rules were announced yesterday.

Ali Mohammad Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, said the new executive regulations provide comprehensive information on the types and conditions of entry visas and residence permits.

“The new rules will support sustainable development and the economic diversity policy in the country by attracting skilled workers, talents, professionals, specialists and experts,” said Al Shamsi.

The new model, in some cases, allows people who enter as visitors to stay for 60 days rather than 30 days at present.

Parents can sponsor their male children until the age of 25, up from 18, allowing them to remain in the UAE after school and university.

Al Shamsi said the new rules have different residencies and new categories to attract investors, entrepreneurs, high skilled workers, outstanding students, frontliners and others.

“The new scheme will ease procedures, adding new advantages and end the link between residency and the work sponsor and enhance quality of life,” he added.

Al Shamsi said the new system will have a new generation of residencies in the country like the green visa that will provide five years of residency for skilled employees, without a sponsor or employer.

The green visa allows the holder to bring his or her family members as well as six months grace period after the residency expires or is canceled.

The green residency has three types. The first is for skilled workers, while the second is for freelancers and self-employed individuals. The third is for investors to establish or participate in commercial activities. It replaces the previous residence that was valid for two years only.

“The cabinet was keen to enhance family stability for residents and the new rules add new benefits for family members. Children of determination are granted a residence permit, regardless of their age,” Al Shamsi added.

He said Green Residency holders can bring their first-degree relatives into the country too.

The new model offers new options for visitors to have different, flexible and multi-entry of visit visas for up to one year and ends the need for arrivals to acquire sponsorship. The visit visa offers 60 days of validity and one platform to apply at.

The job exploration visa has been introduced with the aim of attracting young talents and skilled professionals to explore job opportunities. It does not require a sponsor or a host.

Another visa for investors is the exploration visa to explore investment opportunities inside the UAE. It does not require a sponsor or host.

Golden visa categories

Substantial amendments have been introduced to the Golden Residence Scheme to simplify the eligibility criteria and expand the categories of beneficiaries. This long-term 10-year residency is granted to investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional talents, scientists and professionals, outstanding students and graduates, humanitarian pioneers and frontline heroes.

According to the new rules, there will be no restriction related to the maximum duration of stay outside the UAE in order to keep the Golden Residence valid.

The amendments allow the Golden Residence holder to sponsor his/her family members, including spouse and children, regardless of their age, and to sponsor support services (domestic) laborers without limiting their number. If the holder of the Golden Residence dies, then his family members can stay in the UAE until the end of their permit duration.

Golden residency for scientists

The new rules aim to support and boost investment in the property sector by having new benefits in the Golden Residence for investors in this vital sector.

People are entitled to obtain the Golden Residence when purchasing a property worth no less than Dh2 million with a loan from specific local banks. Investors can also obtain Golden Residence when buying one or more off-plan properties of no less than Dh2 million from approved local real estate companies.

Residency is granted to scientists and researchers with high achievements and influence in their field based on recommendation from the Emirates Scientists Council.

The candidate should have a Ph.D. or master’s degree in the disciplines of engineering, technology, life sciences and natural sciences from the best universities in the world. The candidate should have substantial research achievements.

Golden residency for professionals

A major expansion has been introduced in this category to attract highly skilled workers with educational qualifications and professional experience in all disciplines including medicine, sciences and engineering, information technology, business and administration, education, law, culture and social sciences.

The applicants should have a valid employment contract in the UAE, and should be classified in the first or second occupational level as per the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation classification which is aligned with the International Standard of Classification of Occupations ISCO by the International Labour Organisation.

The minimum educational level must be a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and the monthly salary should not be less than Dh30,000.

Golden residency for exceptional talents

This residence is granted to top talents in vital fields. It is awarded based on talent only, regardless of the educational qualification or the employment status or the monthly salary or professional level.

It requires the recommendation or approval of a federal or local government entity, and includes talented individuals in culture, art, sports, digital technology, invention and innovation and other vital fields.

Golden residency for entrepreneurs

The executive regulations set flexible requirements for entrepreneurs eligible to obtain the Golden Residence; an entrepreneur should own or be a partner in a startup registered in the country in the category of small and medium enterprises SME and generates annual revenues of not less than Dh1 million.

In addition, obtaining approval for a startup idea from an official business incubator or from the Ministry of Economy or the competent local authorities is sufficient to obtain the Golden Residence in this category.

Moreover, if the person is a founder (or one of the founders) of a previous entrepreneurial project (projects) that was sold with a total value of not less than Dh7 million, he will be entitled to Golden Residence. The approval of the Ministry of Economy or the competent local authorities is required for projects or ideas.

Golden visa for outstanding students and graduates

This residency targets high performing students in UAE secondary schools, and outstanding graduates from UAE universities and the best 100 universities worldwide according to specific criteria that includes their academic performance (cumulative average), the year of graduation, and the university classification.

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Visa information

Planning a trip to Dubai? Find out whether you need a visa and how to apply.

Do you need a visa?

Relocate to Dubai

Whether working remotely from Dubai, permanently moving your business, or coming for retirement, there are lots of options for you to enjoy the full benefits of being a Dubai resident.

Work remotely programme

Do you want to mix business with pleasure in Dubai? With a new one-year virtual working programme, you can live and work by the beach.

Residency for investors and entrepreneurs

If you wish to open a business or invest in property in Dubai, you can apply for five and ten-year residency visas, with a possibility to also bring your business partners and family.

Residency for specialist talent

If you are a specialist in fields of science, medicine, sport, culture, or art, Dubai offers growing opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities to grow your talent. Apply for this ten-year visa and reach your potential.

Residency for outstanding students

Dubai's cutting-edge research and facilities attract the brightest minds from around the world. Explore the five and ten-year visas supporting exceptional student talent.

Residency for retirees

Start your next chapter and make the most of your freedom in one of the world’s most connected, dynamic, and safest cities with Dubai's Golden Retirement Visa.

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Do I need a visa to enter Dubai?

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Fly with Emirates

Your guide to the UAE’s new visa reforms

Looking forward to the new UAE visas rules rolling out next month? Here’s what’s on offer for tourists, residents, professionals and entrepreneurs

The visa reforms announced by the UAE government in April this year, making the country an even more desirable location for businesses, investors and tourists.

The visa system amendments will simplify procedures for visitors, families, skilled professionals and more and represent the most significant changes to the UAE’s visa system in decades.

According to a tweet from the UAE government, these changes will boost competitiveness as the country is actively growing its knowledge economy. Additionally, the country is looking to build on the momentum generated by changes in legal regulations across critical sectors. In fact, according to the World Bank’s 2021 annual ratings, the UAE ranked 17 among 190 countries in the ease of doing business. Reports also suggest that the UAE’s job market is flourishing with 9 per cent growth in the private sector – and of course, Dubai has long been a top tourism destination.

These measures are intended to relax some restrictions regarding residency and stimulate foreign investment. In addition, they reflect the country’s ambition to build an innovative, sustainable future and attract people with the talent and skills required to realise that goal.

Residency in the UAE Under the new residency visa system, different types of visas are available for working, studying, investing, and living in the UAE. These new visas include:

• Golden Visa : To attract skilled professionals and investors, the UAE has expanded the Golden Visa’s various categories to welcome more applicants with changes like lowering the real estate minimum investment to Dhs2m, including startup owners, scientists, skilled workers, exceptional talent and students.
• Green Visa : This new five-year visa allows skilled workers, the self-employed and freelancers to sponsor their families without a sponsor or employer. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent and a minimum salary of Dhs15,000.
• Business Visa : This new category allows investors and entrepreneurs to obtain visas without a sponsor or host.
• Temporary Work Visa : Professionals or workers travelling to the UAE for short-term work projects or assignments can apply under this new category. A temporary contract or letter from the employer with proof of fitness is required.
• Family Visa : The new regulations allow parents to sponsor their children’s visas indefinitely for unmarried females and up to age 25 for males.
• Tourist Visa : One of the most anticipated changes is that tourist visas will now be valid for 60 days. Additionally, a new multi-entry will be introduced, granting multiple entries for visitors and the ability to stay in the UAE for up to 90 days. Those 90 days can be extended; however, the visa is limited to 180 days a year. Applicants should have a bank balance of $4,000 (Dhs14,700) or its equivalent in foreign currency six months before applying.
• Visas for training/education : Students interested in attending courses, internships or training in the UAE can be sponsored by public or private sector educational institutions; however, a letter of clarification with the program’s details and duration is required.
• Visa to visit a relative/friend : Foreigners can apply for a visa without a sponsor if their relative or friend is a UAE citizen or resident.
• Job Visa : Fresh graduates with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent who are looking to build their career in the UAE can apply for this new visa, which doesn’t require a host or sponsor.

Industries set to flourish The UAE government’s new visa system will catalyse growth and new opportunities across every sector, especially investment, tourism, and real estate. These significant reforms are flexible and progressive. They will provide more options than ever and are set to boost the economy, ushering in a massive increase in foreign direct investments. After the Coronavirus-19 pandemic, it is increasingly imperative for all countries and industries to adapt to the new ways of the world. In addition, the new visa reforms will further the UAE’s mission to remain one of the world’s leading destinations.

Libbi Burtinshaw is the operations manager for PRO Partner Group

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What are the latest UAE visa changes and who do they affect?

The emirates is implementing a long-term vision to invest in talent from around the globe.

Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of property developer Danube, was given a golden visa in 2019. At the time, he also welcomed the decision to allow mid-level managers earning Dh30,000 ($8,000) per month to apply for long-term visas. Antonie Robertson / The National

Visa reforms are transforming the workplace of the UAE and creating a gateway to attract top talent from around the world.

As the Emirates prepares to celebrate its Golden Jubilee next month, the march into the next 50 years is well under way with skilled workers acting as the engine room for continued development.

Authorities have rolled out key changes to its visa system in recent years , helping to shed previous views of the county as a short-term, sunshine destination for professionals on their career journey.

Now the UAE – to diversify its economy and build for the future – is helping people to put down roots in the country as well as creating a more agile model in which to do business.

Here, The National looks at the visa rules helping to keep the UAE on the path to prosperity.

Dubai's five-year plan

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, on Tuesday announced that Dubai had begun to issue multi-entry, five-year visas to employees of multinational companies based in the emirate.

Sheikh Hamdan said the policy was part of efforts to make Dubai the “best city to work and live in the world".

The visa aims to further simplify application procedures, provide ease of access to the city and extend the duration of stay of international visitors.

“The five-year multi-entry visa is especially beneficial to employees of foreign-owned firms as it enables them to participate in events, conferences, training courses, exhibitions and similar activities hosted in Dubai by these companies,” Dubai Media Office reported.

The new visa has been introduced by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

It allows employees of multinational companies to visit and stay in the UAE for 90 days, with the option of extending this period for another 90 days.

It is just the latest in a series of key changes to visa protocols in the Emirates.

A golden vision for the future

Residents receive special visas at a special ceremony in Abu Dhabi in 2019 attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed. Prof Afaf Kamal Eldin (second left), Prof Ghaleb Husseini (fourth from left) and Prof Hassan Arafat (second right) received golden visas. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

The government took a significant step towards changing life in the UAE when introducing the golden visa .

The new long-term residency scheme was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in May, 2019.

The 10-year renewable visa – which is also given to the family of the recipient – is aimed at investors, entrepreneurs, chief executives, scientists, frontline workers and outstanding students.

Wealthy investors, entrepreneurs and company owners are sought after. Officials hope they will set down roots, invest in property and make the country their long-term home.

But the wide range of 10 visa types may benefit many residents and people who are looking to make the country home.

There are several visa types that are aimed at these groups, including Golden Visas, which were first approved in late 2020. In the first year, 44,000 visas were issued in Dubai alone.

Thousands of people have already received the visa as part of a plan to retain expertise and encourage more skilled professionals to set up home in the country.

In early 2021, frontline doctors were urged to apply for golden visas in recognition of their significant contribution to health care in the country, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UAE also set out a scheme to provide 100,000 golden visas to the best computer programming talent, at home and abroad.

Green is go

The UAE announced the introduction of a ' green visa ' in September aimed at business owners, investors and entrepreneurs, which will will offer expanded benefits for sponsoring family members.

It is to cater for people who have their own businesses and are not working for, or sponsored by, an employer.

SME owners and high-performing students will also be eligible under the scheme, unveiled as part of the UAE's 50 projects and initiatives to boost long-term development.

To be eligible, an applicant requires a monthly salary of Dh15,000 along with a bachelor's degree in certain skilled fields, including science, law, education, culture or social sciences, among others.

Someone who currently holds a two or three-year trade licence for freelance work may find this option attractive, but the costs have not yet been set out.

A Green Visa holder can sponsor relatives for residency for five years. Previously, this was typically allowed for two years.

Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said the new visa was aimed at the "self-dependent" investor who needed to sponsor family members.

"He's not going to be attached to companies. He's going to sponsor his parents, sponsor his children up to 25 – instead of 18 years old, like nowadays," he told The National .

Plan allows teens to enter workplace

Dr Al Zeyoudi, when announcing the green visa, also set out plans to allow children over the age of 15 to work for the first time.

A temporary work permit would allow them to secure a part-time job and get a taste for the workplace, without interrupting their studies.

The decision could be hugely significant and bring about a culture of part-time and temporary work.

"Anyone who's living here, who's above 15 years old, can apply for a temporary job," Dr Al Zeyoudi said.

A remote revolution

British Mums staff meet at venues across Dubai to catch up in person every week. Pictured here at the Caya restaurant in Town Square are Jen Crowther, Catherine Broad, Natalie Waugh and Lauren Savill. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The rise of the pandemic may have made the world seem smaller for a time, as borders closed and air travel was grounded. Yet it led to the emergence of remote working and opened up the opportunity of carrying out your duties far away from the office – even in a different country from your employer.

In March, the UAE announced the introduction of a residence permit for remote workers.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the residency permit meant that "any employee anywhere in the world can reside in the UAE to practise work remotely even if the company is not present in the country".

The one-year visa allows people to enter the UAE from overseas under self-sponsorship and work in line with the terms and conditions issued with the visa.

Last October, Dubai announced a remote-working programme to allow professionals to live in the emirate while employed by companies overseas.

Retiring in the UAE?

Dubai Creek today is a popular tourist destination and could now be a place to retire. Reem Mohammed / The National

The UAE approved plans in 2018 for residents aged 55 or over to secure a five-year retirement visa, if they met certain requirements.

The UAE Cabinet announced further details of the criteria earlier this month.

Under the new conditions approved by the Cabinet, non-citizens with at least one property worth Dh1 million ($272,300), or a bank deposit of no less than Dh1m, or an active annual income of at least Dh180,000, are eligible to apply for the visa.

"Today, we also approved the conditions for granting residency to retired foreigners. Retirees can continue their stay with us in the UAE. We welcome everyone in our country," Sheikh Mohammed said.

This story was updated on April 20, 2022

The UAE Today

The latest news and analysis from the Emirates

Everything you need to know about getting a tourist visa for Dubai

It’s fairly easy….

Thinking of visiting Dubai, but you’re not sure how to get a tourist visa? Perhaps you already live in this gorgeous city and want to share it with family and friends, but aren’t sure how to go about securing the ever-important visa. For some it’s as easy as showing up at the airport, for others, there is a process that needs to be followed.

Here is everything you need to know about getting a tourist visa for Dubai.

No visa required

Citizens of the GCC areas do not require any sort of visa to enter Dubai. You simply need to provide your passport or your national ID at the point of entry and you will be granted entrance.

Visa on arrival

If you fall into this category, you’re in luck because there are certain countries that can simply arrive at Dubai International Airport and receive a tourist visa, on arrival.

There are a total of 50 countries that receive visas on arrival. Some include The United Kingdom (UK), The United States of America (USA), and countries that are part of the EU. For some countries you will be eligible for a 30-day visa, and for others a 90-day visa, with the possibility of extension.

Indian citizens who are holders of tourist visas from the USA, green cards, or have a residence visa in the UK or EU will also receive a visa on arrival, for 14 days, provided that the green card and residence visas have been valid for more than six months.

If you are a Mexican passport holder, you will be granted a multiple-entry visa on arrival. Your visa is valid for up to 180 days and is valid for six months from the date that the visa has been issued.

The list of countries that are able to attain a tourist visa on arrival in Dubai or the UAE may change from time to time and so you can easily see if you are eligible for a tourist visa on arrival by following the steps here .

Pre-arranged visa

When you do not fall under the above categories that means you need to apply for a tourist visa before you enter Dubai. This can be done in a number of ways.

You can easily apply directly through certain airlines including FlyDubai and Emirates . Alternatively, you can organise a tourist visa through licensed travel agents, tour operators and the hotel you will be staying at.

It is important to note that you cannot apply for a tourist visa through the UAE Embassy, one of the organisers mentioned above will apply for your visa on your behalf through the visa-issuing authorities here in Dubai.

For more information click here .

Images: Unsplash

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Home / UAE Visa Change Without Exit

UAE Visa Change Without Exit – 2024 Guide

08 th january, 2024 updated.

The UAE on December 24th, 2022, discontinued the processing of an in-country visa without exit. From July 25th, 2023, visitors are now allowed to apply for a 90 days leisure visa without leaving the country. You now have multiple tourist visa extension options if you want to stay longer past your visa validity dates. You can also opt for express visa services to apply for the leisure visa while still in the country.

Table Of Contents

• 1. Current Visa Change Options and Rates
• 2. What is a Visa change without exit in UAE?
• 3. Visa Change Process
• 4. Documents Required
• 7. UAE Visa Change Without Exit Updates - 2024
• 8. Your Visa Change Reasons
• 9. Current Visa Status Chek & Checking Fines
• 10. Comparing Visa Change Options
• 11. Fines Calculating During Visa Change Without Exit

Current Visa Change Options and Rates

30+10 days new on arrival Airport Exit

Airport to Airport visa change return flight ticket (from Dubai or Sharjah)

1050-1150 AED

Only for 30 days on arrival nationals

30 days new tourist visa

All nationals

60 days new tourist visa

20 days extension

Without exit

90 days in country visa

Without exit & with changes status

Contact us for Rates

What is a visa change without exit in uae.

A visa change without exit allows you to extend your visa without necessarily leaving the UAE. The requirement for this type of change is a visa run to a neighboring country by just crossing the border and then coming back to the UAE.

Visa Change Process

Document collection and verification.

Forward us all relevant travel documents through WhatsApp or email. We will look at the documents and verify the current visa expiry, your passport validity among other details.

Payment Confirmation

You can pay for visa change at our city offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah or to our bank account. If you use a deposit slip or online transfers, you must send us the details for verification.

Visa Application

We will submit your visa application to get the approval. After your application is approved, your visa status in echannel/ednrd will show up as ‘Active’

Visa Status Change

Your visa status will now change from old visa to new visa and the visa status in echannel/ednrd will show as ‘Used’

The Status Change Approved

The change in your status visa will then be approved.

Receive Visa Copy and Status Change

We will send you the approved visa copy and status change papers through email or WhatsApp.

Getting Confirmation of the New Visa Expiry Date

We will also send you the immigration system screenshots for the last date of the new visa, so you will be aware of its validity.

Documents Required

Here are the documents required for different visa holders:

• Prepaid Visa Holders
• Resident’s Visa Cancelled Applicants
• A copy of your current tourist/visit visa
• A soft colored soft copy of your passport – in PDF or JPEG format
• A colored photograph in PDF or JPEG format
• The UAE resident visa page of your guarantor, if a friend, relative or company
• A colored copy of your passport, in PDF or JPEG format
• The UAE resident visa page of your guarantor whether a friend, relative or a company
• A copy of the Resident visa cancellation
• The UAE resident visa page of your guarantor whether a relative, friend or company

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The best one stop Travel Agency in the UAE to apply for Extensions to your Visas right inside UAE (in-country). Very Professional and very very helpful Staff members who provide Support all the way till you get your Visa in country

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Visit the immigration website, e-channel / Ednrd , to check your current visa expiry date. When you open the link, enter the relevant details into the specific fields and all the details of your visa, including the expiry date will be displayed. This is a great strategy to avoid last-minute tension and overstay fines.

You need to stay updated about the immigration overstay charges. With the tourist visa, the charges are 50 AED on the first day of overstaying and from there onwards, 50 AED per day from the second day onwards, until you exit or get a visa change. Furthermore, when you will be exiting the UAE, you will have to pay for an exit permit which would cost you around 250-300 AED. For a cancelled resident visa, too, the fine is 50 AED on the first day of cancellation, and 50 AED per day until issues with the visa are resolved. When you do a UAE visa change without exit internally, you will have to pay 150-200 AED to the ICA as an “exit pass fee.” Furthermore, if you are exiting the country after your visa has expired and there was no grace period provided with your visa, you have to pay 50 AED and an additional exit service fee.

Before you select a visa agent to assist you in visa change, it is always a great idea to check out the reviews from their previous customers. Also, please call or visit their office before making any visa payments.

Before you reach out to a visa agent, ensure you have the visa extension fee in advance as visa companies only accept upfront payments to process visa related services The UAE immigration charges you a non-refundable application fee before processing any visa related services.

When your visa status changes to new, please confirm the expiry date of this new visa. Usually, if you apply for a visa service with Arabiers, we share the screenshot taken from the immigration to use for reference.

The period taken to process a visa is entirely dependent on how busy the immigration is and when the application is submitted. Applications submitted between Fridays and Saturday and on public holidays may take longer. Understand the terms and conditions for the UAE visa before applying to get more insight about the process

Why Opt for a Visa Change

Below is a list of scenarios that may force you to opt for the UAE visa change without exiting the country.

• The free on arrival visa you used to enter the UAE is almost expiring
• The transit visa you are using is almost expiring but you can’t travel before that time
• Your UAE resident visa has sadly been cancelled for one reason or another
• Your prepaid tourist visa is nearing its expiry and you are not done exploring the UAE
• You arrived to the UAE with a mission visa, now the mission is over and you wish to change to a tourist visa

If any of the above scenarios match what you are experiencing right now, please reach out to us for a UAE visa change without exit. Continue reading and see how we elaborate the scenarios and how we can help you in such a case.

01 The free on arrival visa you used to enter the UAE is almost expiring and you wish to stay for longer

Before proceeding with visa change, you first have to figure out the category of on arrival visa you lie in.

30 days on-arrival Visa Holders

If you are a passport holder of any of the countries listed below, you are lucky to qualify to enter the UAE without a visa. When you land at the airport, walk to the immigration office, and you will be issued a free non-arrival visa valid for 30 days.

When this visa comes to an end, you are granted a 10-day grace period to leave the country or extend your visa. You can choose to either extend the on-arrival visa for another 30 days or just apply for a new 90-day tourist visa.

With the 90 days visa, you will spend a total of 140 days in the UAE cumulatively. We arrive at this total when you add the 30 initial days of the on-arrival visa, the 10-days grace period, the 90 days of the new tourist visa plus the 10 days grace period for this new visa.

90 Days On-Arrival Visa Holders

Passport holders of the countries listed below qualify for a free 90 days on-arrival visa to the UAE. The 90 days visa is a multiple entry visa and must be used within 180 days of issuing. The cumulative number of days you spend in the country should not exceed 90. That is very fair right?

It is not possible to extend the 90 days on arrival visa, so, if you wish to stay longer in the UAE, you need to apply for a new prepaid tourist visa with or without exit.

02 2) The transit visa you applied for is almost expiring but you can’t travel before that time

Let’s say you are travelling to another country and have to lay over to change flights in a UAE airport. In this case, you will need to apply for either the 48 hours or the 96-hour transit via. Once your UAE transit visa is approved, you can leave the airport area and go for exploration as long as you don’t overstay the visa. If you experience a flight delay or you change your travel plans while in the UAE, you can always apply for a new transit visa without leaving the country. All you need is to submit your entry and transit visa details and your visa permit will be processed.

03 Your UAE resident visa has sadly been cancelled for one reason or another

A cancelled UAE resident visa is sadly the tale for many residents who want to find new employment or to stay in the country for long after their visa expires due to certain reasons. The good news is, you can change the cancelled residence visa to a tourist visa and continue staying legally in the country as you figure out your next plans. The UAE allows its visitors to change the status of their visas while still in the country

04 Your prepaid tourist visa is nearing its expiry and you are not done exploring the UAE

Visitors from countries like South Africa, Turkey, Zimbabwe, Lebanon, India, Egypt, Jordan and Sri Lanka must have a prearranged UAE visa to travel to the UAE. The visitors must apply for a visa extension if they wish to stay for more days in the UAE.

05 You arrived to the UAE with a mission visa, now the mission is over and wish to change to tourist visa

If you arrived to the UAE with a mission visa , and have now completed the mission, you first have to cancel the mission visa to get a new UAE visa. To cancel this honorable visa, you first have to leave the country and then apply for a tourist visa afresh

Current Visa Status Check & Checking Fines

Use the Federal Government System (ICA) website to confirm the status Click the ‘passport information and visa’ tab to view your visa details of you have the prepaid, on arrival or the transit visa. Click the ‘passport information and residency’ tab to see the details of your cancelled resident visa. The penalty charges for a cancelled resident visa is 50 AED per day and for overstayed visas, the fine is 50 AED per day.

Comparing Visa Change Options

Other visa change options that you can use to extend your UAE visa include:

• Airport to airport visa change
• Oman visa run
• Visa change by bus
• Going on a holiday and coming back
• Going to home country and coming back

01 Airport to airport visa change

Some travelers prefer to use Airport-to-Airport transfer to extend their visa. Below is how the airport-to-airport transfer works;

• The applicant flys out to an airport in the nearby Gulf country like Oman
• Chill at the airport for about an hour
• Get a UAE express visa
• Lastly, fly back to the UAE with the new visa.

02 Oman visa run

This visa extension visa extension option is perfect for those who qualify for an on-arrival Oman visa.

• First, drive to an Oman border
• Cross over to Oman
• apply for a new UAE visa
• Drive back to the UAE

Those who entered the UAE with the 30 days on arrival visa qualify for another free 30 days visa to the UAE using this extension option. Prepaid visa holders and those with a 90 days on-arrival visa must get a new prepaid visa when they use this visa change option.

03 Visa change by bus

This visa extension method was popular with the Indian and Philippine nationals before the COVID period.

Here is how basically it works;

• First, arrange for an Oman visa 1 to 2 working days before your travel dates
• Board a bus to the Hatta border
• Enter Oman and wait until your new UAE visa is ready
• Travel back to the UAE.

This visa change method is similar to an Oman visa run, only difference is that in this case, it is your tour operator who organizes the trip for you.

04 Going on holiday and coming back

If lucky enough, you may find a holiday package that is way cheaper than changing visa without exiting the country. Consider such an opportunity, go for holiday and then apply for a new UAE visa while vacationing.

If you are eligible for an on-arrival visa, you may re-enter seamlessly without having to pay for visa extension fees.

05 Going to home country and coming back

Remember you had a return ticket when you entered the UAE? Well, you can as well decide to use it and go back to your home country and then re-apply for a new visa from there.

However, depending on the distance to your home country, you may find a round trip ticket plus the new visa fees to be more expensive than extending your visa without exiting the UAE. In this case, you should choose the option that suits you the most and one that makes sense financially.

Fines Calculating During Visa Change Without Exit

You may carry out visa extension without leaving the country either in Dubai or Abu Dhabi immigration offices, depending on where it is more convenient for you. The procedure used in to change visas may be different from Emirate to Emirate. If you have to pay your overstaying visa fine, both Emirates have separate fee structure.

Fine collection In Abu Dhabi

Here, you also have to pay the ICA fees, electronic payment fees, and e-services fees.

Example Scenario

A Overstaying on a prepaid/on arrival visa, breakdown of the total fine needed to pay:

The formula is: Overstaying Fines (days of overstaying x 50 AED) + ICA fee total (150 AED). To put it into context, if you overstay your visa for 10 days, your total fine will be 10 x50 +150 =650 AED. You must pay the total fee accumulated before your new application is processed.

B Overstaying after your grace period after residence cancellation

The formula: Overstaying Fines (days of over staying x 50 AED) + ICA fee total (150 AED minimum) Now let’s contextualize this, if you overstay your cancelled visa for 10 days, your total fine will be, 10 x 50 + 150 = 650 AED (minimum) You must clear this amount before your new application is processed.

Fine Collection in Dubai

Here, no additional fees are collected, so you will only pay the overstaying visa fine

When you overstay on a prepaid or on-arrival visa, you will be charged 100 AED per day and 25 AED per day for overstaying a residence visa. You must settle the visa fines before your new application is processed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it necessary to have a travel insurance while i am changing to a tourist visa without exit, can i extend my 30 days tourist visa in uae without exit, is there a grace period for 60 days visit visa in the uae that i can use to extend uae visa without exit, how can i extend my visit visa in dubai without exit, can i leave dubai or abu dhabi without cancelling my visa, what are the alternatives to visa change without exit as it expensive, is it mandatory to have a pcr test or be vaccinated to be able to apply for a uae tourist visa extension, do gcc residents get free visa on arrival to the uae and can they extend it.

GCC residents can extend their UAE visa without having to leave the country.

Do US citizens need a visa for Oman?

Can us citizens travel to dubai right now.

Watch CBS News

Dubai flooding hobbles major airport's operations as "historic weather event" brings torrential rains to UAE

Updated on: April 17, 2024 / 5:57 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Dubai, United Arab Emirates  — The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting travel through the world's busiest airfield for international travel. The state-run WAM news agency called the rain Tuesday "a historic weather event" that surpassed "anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949." 

The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 0.79 inches of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified around 9 a.m. local time Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

Flooding impacts Dubai International Airport

By the end of Tuesday, more than 5.59 inches of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees just 3.73 inches of rain fall at Dubai International Airport, a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

At the airport, standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. Arrivals were halted Tuesday night and passengers struggled to reach terminals through the floodwater covering surrounding roads.

The airport said in a  series of social media posts  that all operations were halted for about 25 minutes on Tuesday afternoon and that all arrivals would be diverted after that "until the weather conditions improve." Late Wednesday morning, the airport and the flagship carrier Emirates were still warning travelers not to come to the airport unless absolutely necessary, saying all flight check-in was still suspended.

"Flights continue to be delayed and diverted. Please check your flight status directly with your airline," the airport said in a tweet. "We are working hard to recover operations as quickly as possible in very challenging conditions." 

One couple, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in a country with strict laws that criminalize critical speech, called the situation at the airport "absolute carnage."

"You cannot get a taxi. There's people sleeping in the Metro station. There's people sleeping in the airport," the man said Wednesday.

They ended up getting a taxi to near their home some 18 miles away, but floodwater on the road stopped them. A bystander helped them over a highway barrier with their carry-on luggage, the bottles of gin they picked up from a duty-free store clinking away.

Paul Griffiths, the airport's CEO, acknowledged continued issues with flooding Wednesday morning, saying every place an aircraft could be safely parked was taken. Some aircraft had been diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the city-state's second airfield.

"It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don't think anyone has ever seen conditions like it," Griffiths told the state-owned talk radio station Dubai Eye. "We are in uncharted territory, but I can assure everyone we are working as hard as we possibly can to make sure our customers and staff are looked after."

Did "cloud-seeding" contribute?

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, the rains were acute across the UAE. One reason may have been " cloud seeding ," in which small planes flown by the government go through clouds burning special salt flares. Those flares can increase precipitation.

Several reports quoted meteorologists at the National Center for Meteorology as saying they flew six or seven cloud-seeding flights before the rains. The center did not immediately respond to questions Wednesday, though flight-tracking data analyzed by the AP showed one aircraft affiliated with the UAE's cloud-seeding efforts flew around the country Sunday.

The UAE, which relies heavily on energy-hungry desalination plants to provide water, conducts cloud seeding in part to increase its dwindling, limited groundwater.

Flooding closes schools across UAE

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if they could. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate ones stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering some roads.

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water. Water poured into some homes, forcing people to bail out their houses.

The country's hereditary rulers offered no overall damage or injury information for the nation, as some people slept in their flooded vehicles Tuesday night. In Ras al-Khaimah, the country's northernmost emirate, police said a 70-year-old man died when his vehicle was swept away by floodwater.

Fujairah, an emirate on the UAE's eastern coast, saw the heaviest rainfall Tuesday with 5.7 inches falling there.

Authorities canceled school and the government instituted remote work again for Wednesday.

Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall, causing flooding.

Meanwhile in neighboring Oman, a sultanate that rests on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, at least 19 people were killed in heavy rains in recent days, according to a statement Wednesday from the country's National Committee for Emergency Management. That includes some 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle with an adult, prompting condolences from rulers across the region.

Climatologists have warned for years that human-driven climate change is fueling more extreme and less predictable weather events across the globe.

Parts of southern Russia and Central Asia have also been dealing for days with unusually damaging amounts of rainfall and snowmelt, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate to higher ground and killing more than 60 people in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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More from CBS News

Flights ramp back up at Dubai airport after historic rains inundate UAE

What is cloud seeding and did it impact Dubai's floods?

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What's the mood in Iran as Israel mulls its response?

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• Visa and Immigration in UAE

UAE visit visa extension from Dh599: 3 package options for tourists as new rules take effect

Oman has always been a popular winter destination but with the new visa change requirement, agencies are seeing a spike in travel demand.

Nasreen Abdulla

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As some UAE visitors make alternative arrangements to exit the country before the end of their visit visa duration, travel agencies have started introducing special visa change packages.

The move comes after revised rules — which reportedly came into effect earlier this week — discontinued the option that allowed UAE visit visa holders to extend their stay from within the country, according to travel agencies.

Here are some of the packages that are now on offer:

Exit by bus: From Dh599 to Dh850

Online travel agency Musafir.com is offering a visa change package by bus for Dh799.

Ajwah Tours is offering visitors the option to change visa status by bus. The company is offering a 30-day visa starting at Dh599 and a 60-day visa for Dh799. However, GM Malik Bedekar said buses are running at full capacity.

“There is immense demand for buses. Right now, all my bookings are full till the end of this month. Also, this option is only available for those holding passports of India, Philippines, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Those of Pakistani nationality and hailing from the African continent are not permitted to exit by bus," Bedekar said.

At another agency, Anisha Tours and Travels, visa renewal by exiting the country via bus to Oman will cost Dh850. “However, we are giving this option only to those who need to exit urgently as buses are running almost completely full till the end of this month,” said Anish Mukil, who works at the agency.

Airport-to-airport: From Dh999 to Dh1,999

Musafir.com offers an airport-to-airport visa change service for Dh1,100.

Whereas, Ajwah Tours is offering a 30-day visa that allows visitors to exit and re-enter the country, by air, starting from Dh999, and a 60-day visa starting from Dh1,999.

Visitors wish to travel to Oman by air can also choose a package offered by Anisha tours, which begins at Dh1,250.

Dubai-based Smart Travels is also offering similar packages to Oman on Flydubai flights for Dh1,050 for a 30-day visa, and Dh1,300 for 60-day visa.

Within the country: From Dh1,800 to Dh2,200

A spokesperson from Musafir.com says the agency is also offering a visit visa change from inside Dubai for a price of Dh1,800.

Anisha Tours and Travels is also giving visitors an option to renew their visas from within Dubai for Dh2,200.

Visitors must exit the country once their visa validity is over. According to industry experts, the rule on renewals was out in place to crack down on those who have been staying in the country indefinitely on visit visas.

The regulation to exit the country to change visit visa status has always been in place. It was during the Covid-19 pandemic that the UAE amended rules to allow for a visa status change from within the country due to humanitarian concerns.

Several other travel agencies in the country said they are expecting to release similar packages during the coming days.

Oman travel demand

Raheesh Babu, chief operating officer of online travel agency Musafir.com, noted that Oman has always been a popular winter destination to travel and the new visa change requirement has added to the demand.

“Oman has always been a popular destination to travel to during the winter with plenty of activities to explore, relax, and enjoy the weather. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, for UAE visa extension exiting the country via bus and travelling to Oman was a common practice. However, due to the pandemic, this was discontinued, but it has resumed this week. Hence, there is much demand for travel to Oman for visa extension.”

• New UAE visit visa extension rule: Oman cabs come to the rescue of local passengers
• UAE visit visa extension: Oman-bound buses 'fully booked' as demand spikes, say travel agents

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Dubai clears up after epic rains swamp glitzy desert city

Dubai, a city in the desert proud of its futuristic gloss, was on Thursday busy clearing its waterlogged roads and drying out flooded homes two days after a record storm saw a year’s rain fall in a day .

Dubai International Airport, a major travel hub, struggled to clear a backlog of flights and many roads were still flooded in the aftermath of Tuesday’s deluge.

The rains were the  heaviest experienced by the United Arab Emirates in the 75 years that records have been kept. They brought much of the country to a standstill and caused significant damage.

Flooding trapped residents in traffic, offices and homes. Many reported leaks at their homes, while footage circulated on social media showed malls overrun with water pouring from roofs.

Traffic remained heavily disrupted. A highway through Dubai was reduced to a single lane in one direction, while the main road that connects Dubai with the capital Abu Dhabi was closed in the Abu Dhabi direction.

“This was like nothing else. It was like an alien invasion,” Jonathan Richards, a Dubai resident from Britain told Reuters.

“I woke up the other morning to people in kayaks with pet dogs, pet cats, suitcases all outside my house.”

Another resident, Rinku Makhecha, said the rain swamped her freshly renovated house she moved into two weeks ago.

“My entire living room is just like ... all my furniture is floating right now,” she said.

In Dubai’s streets, some vehicles, including buses, could be seen almost entirely submerged in water. Long queues formed at petrol stations.

Dubai airport had yet to resume normal operation after the storm flooded taxiways, forcing flight diversions, delays and cancellations.

Dubai Airports Chief Operating Officer Majed Al Joker told Al Arabiya TV he expected Dubai International Airport to reach 60-70% capacity by the end of Thursday and full operational capacity within 24 hours.

The airport struggled to get food to stranded passengers with nearby roads flooded and overcrowding limited access to those who had confirmed bookings.

The storm, which hit neighbouring Oman on Sunday, pounded the UAE on Tuesday, with 20 reported dead in Oman and one in the UAE.

While some roadways into hard-hit communities remain flooded, delivery services across Dubai, whose residents are used to ordering everything at the click of a mouse, slowly began returning to the streets.

Rains are rare in the UAE and elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula, which is typically known for its dry desert climate. Summer air temperatures can soar above 50 degrees Celsius.

Following Tuesday’s events, questions were raised whether cloud seeding, a process that the UAE frequently conducts, could have caused the heavy rains.

But climate experts blame global warming for such extreme weather events.

Researchers anticipate that climate change will lead to heightened temperatures, increased humidity and a greater risk of flooding in parts of the Gulf region. Countries like the UAE where there is a lack of drainage infrastructure to cope with heavy rains can suffer the most.

A UAE government agency that oversees cloud seeding — a process of manipulating clouds to increase rainfall — denied conducting any such operations before the storm.

President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said in a statement he had ordered authorities to assess the damage and provide support to families impacted by the storm.

Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum said on X that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors was the utmost priority.

“At a meeting with government officials in Dubai, we set directives to prepare comprehensive plans in response to natural crises’ such as the unexpected current weather conditions,” he said.

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The desert nation of UAE records its most rain ever, flooding highways and Dubai’s airport

The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting travel through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel.

The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel.

Two men walk through floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

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Vehicles drive through heavy rain on the Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

An SUV splashes through standing water on a road with the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel seen in the background in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A bus stands abandoned in pouring rain as the sky turned green as a storm hit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A woman takes a selfie in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

An SUV drives through floodwater covering a road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

People look out at floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

An SUV stalls out while trying to pass through standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A man tries to work on his stalled SUV in standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A van passes through standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

People look out at floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Men gesture as they try to tow a vehicle out of standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

An SUV passes through standing water in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, flooding out portions of major highways and leaving vehicles abandoned on roadways across Dubai. Meanwhile, the death toll in separate heavy flooding in neighboring Oman rose to 18 with others still missing as the sultanate prepared for the storm. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A man sits in a semitruck stuck in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A man walks through floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The desert nation of the United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain ever recorded there after a deluge flooded out Dubai International Airport, disrupting the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Debris floats through an SUV abandoned in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

A worker cuts through a downed tree with a chainsaw after a major storm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Heavy thunderstorms lashed the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, dumping over a year and a half’s worth of rain on the desert city-state of Dubai in the span of hours as it flooded out portions of major highways and its international airport. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

This is a locator map for the Gulf Cooperation Council member states: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Wednesday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain Tuesday “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.” That’s before crude oil was discovered in this energy-rich nation then part of a British protectorate known as the Trucial States.

Rain also fell in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but was acute across the UAE.

The flooding sparked speculation that cloud seeding — flying small planes through clouds dispersing chemicals aimed at getting rain to fall — may have contributed to the deluge. But experts said the storm systems that produced the rain were forecast well in advance and that cloud seeding alone would not have caused such flooding.

Several reports quoted meteorologists at the National Center for Meteorology as saying they flew six or seven cloud-seeding flights before the rains. Flight-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press showed one aircraft affiliated with the UAE’s cloud-seeding efforts flew around the country Monday.

The National, an English-language, state-linked newspaper in Abu Dhabi, quoted an anonymous official at the center on Wednesday as saying no cloud seeding took place on Tuesday, without acknowledging any earlier flights.

The center did not respond to questions Wednesday from the AP.

The UAE, which heavily relies on energy-hungry desalination plants to provide water, conducts cloud seeding in part to increase its dwindling, limited groundwater .

An SUV splashes through standing water on a road with the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel seen in the background in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Jeff Masters, a meteorologist for Yale Climate Connections, said the flooding in Dubai was caused by an unusually strong low pressure system that drove many rounds of heavy thunderstorms.

“You don’t need cloud seeding’s influence to account for the record deluge in Dubai,” Masters said.

Another expert, Steven Siems of Australia’s Monash University, agreed.

Given the size of the storm, any seeding effort would simply be pointless,” he said. “Nature is already doing the job perfectly well.”

Scientists also say climate change in general is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires around the world. Dubai hosted the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks just last year. Rising temperatures and other effects of global warming long have been viewed as a threat to life in the already-baking region.

The rains began late Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport. The storms intensified around 9 a.m. Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport.

Vehicles drive through heavy rain on the Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Standing water lapped on taxiways as aircraft landed. Arrivals were halted Tuesday night, and passengers struggled to reach terminals through water-covered roads.

One couple, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to speak freely in a country with strict laws that criminalize critical speech, called the situation at the airport “absolute carnage.”

“You cannot get a taxi. There’s people sleeping in the Metro station. There’s people sleeping in the airport,” the man said Wednesday.

Dubai International Airport acknowledged Wednesday morning that the flooding had left “limited transportation options” and affected flights as aircraft crews couldn’t reach the airfield.

“Recovery will take some time,” the airport said on the social platform X.

Long-haul carrier Emirates and FlyDubai, its low-cost sister airline, had major disruptions.

Paul Griffiths, the airport’s CEO, acknowledged continued issues with flooding Wednesday morning, saying every place an aircraft could be safely parked was taken. Some aircraft had been diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the city-state’s second airfield.

“It remains an incredibly challenging time. In living memory, I don’t think anyone has ever seen conditions like it,” Griffiths told the state-owned talk radio station Dubai Eye. “We are in uncharted territory.”

Egypt’s national carrier, EgyptAir, also temporarily suspended flights between Cairo and Dubai due to the bad weather.

Schools across the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, largely shut ahead of the storm and government employees were largely working remotely if able. Many workers stayed home as well, though some ventured out, with the unfortunate stalling out their vehicles in deeper-than-expected water covering spots on some roads. That included parts of the Sheikh Zayed Road, a 12-lane highway through downtown Dubai.

Authorities sent tanker trucks out into the streets and highways to pump away the water. Water poured into some homes, forcing people to bail out their houses.

The country’s hereditary rulers offered no overall damage or injury information for the nation, as some slept in their flooded vehicles Tuesday night. In Ras al-Khaimah, the country’s northernmost emirate, police said one 70-year-old man died when his vehicle was swept away by floodwater.

Khatm al-Shakla, an area near Al Ain in Abu Dhabi, saw 254 millimeters (10 inches) of rain Tuesday, the most anywhere in the country, officials said.

Authorities canceled school and the government instituted remote work again for Wednesday. Dubai later closed schools for the rest of the week.

Rain is unusual in the UAE, an arid, Arabian Peninsula nation, but occurs periodically during the cooler winter months. Many roads and other areas lack drainage given the lack of regular rainfall, causing flooding.

Meanwhile in neighboring Oman, a sultanate that rests on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, at least 19 people were killed in heavy rains in recent days, according to a statement Wednesday from the country’s National Committee for Emergency Management. That includes some 10 schoolchildren swept away in a vehicle with an adult, which saw condolences come into the country from rulers across the region.

Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.

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Track visa application and validity

For the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, check the status of your visa application and its validity on the website of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security - ICP. For the emirate of Dubai, check the status of your visa application and its validity on the website of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (DNRD).

Track visa application

Check visa validity (issuance and expiry dates).

To track your visa application, you need the application number and reference number. When you submit your visa application to any visa service provider, ask them to give you the application number and reference number so you can track the visa yourself through the channels mentioned herein.

• If you applied for a visa to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah  track your visa application on the website of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) .
• If you applied for Dubai visa or through Amer centres in Dubai, track your visa application through General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai

Users can enquire about the status of GDRFA service through the DubaiNow app .

Where to apply for entry permits or visas?

• If you already have an entry permit/residence visa to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah  check your visa validity on the website of Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security- ICP .
•  If you already have an entry permit/residence visa in Dubai,  check your visa validity  through the website of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai.

Alternatively, for any enquiry regarding visa issuance, types and validity, communicate with ICP  at the toll free number 600522222 or through ICP feedback platform. 

For Dubai visas, contact Amer service on the toll free number 800 5111 if you are living in the UAE. If you are outside the UAE, call Amer on the toll free number +9714-313-9999.

For more information, please contact:

• The UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai

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Before you fly

UAE Visa Information

There may still be COVID-19 travel restrictions in some countries. Check our COVID-19 hub before you travel.

Do I need a visa for the UAE?

You’ll find information about visas below. Use our quick visa search tool to see if you need a visa and the passport requirements for visiting the UAE.

UAE visa on arrival

Preapproved uae visas, prearranged uae visas, sponsoring someone to visit the uae, contact information, 30-day visit eligibility.

If you are a passport holder of the below country or territory, no advance visa arrangements are required to visit the UAE. Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International and proceed to immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a 30-day visit visa free of charge.

90-day visit eligibility

If you are a passport holder of one of the below countries or territories, your passport will be stamped with a multiple entry 90-day visit visa that's valid for 6 months from the date of issue, and for a stay of 90 days in total. Citizens of the below European countries are also entitled to apply for a pre-arranged visit visa if their 90-day visa on arrival has been fully utilized.

180-day visit eligibility

If you hold a Mexican passport you’re eligible for a multiple entry 180-day visit visa that's valid for 6 months from the date of issue, and for a stay of 180 days in total.

Dubai immigration procedures

As an added security measure, Immigration Authorities at Dubai International are now conducting random eye screening for visitors to Dubai.

Visitors asked to proceed for eye screening are required to present a hard copy of their visa or a printed version of the visa number confirmation page at the screening counter. If you do not have a copy with you, a charge of AED 30 per copy applies - payable only in AED.

Important information

Before you travel to the UAE, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa if needed, or if your passport needs to be valid for a minimum period. Holders of non-standard passports and travel documents may also have different entry requirements: find out if you need to apply for a visa and other passport requirements.

As of 29 April 2016, GCC residence permit holders will need to apply for a UAE visa before arriving in Dubai.

New visit entry permit to the UAE for Indian nationals

From 7 January 2024, eligible Indian nationals with a normal passport valid for a minimum of six months can obtain a single entry, 14-day visa on arrival. A fee of USD 63 applies.

Eligibility

• Indian passport holder with USA visa valid for a minimum of six months
• Indian passport holder with USA green card valid for a minimum of six months
• Indian passport holder with UK residence card valid for a minimum of six months
• Indian passport holder with EU residence card from the following countries valid for a minimum of six months

How and where to apply for a pre-approved UAE visa

Eligible Indian nationals can apply for their UAE entry permit on emirates.com through Manage your booking .

* Extensions can be made at the airport office only.

Required documents

• Colour photograph of applicant
• Colour copy of applicant's passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months
• The original application form (available at all Emirates ticketing offices) can be accessed in Arabic or English, depending on the applicant’s nationality. Download the English  or Arabic  application form
• Copy of the Emirates ticket
• Proof of relationship if applying for family member - birth certificate, marriage certificate and family book
• All Documents to be submitted as hard copy

Additional documents are required for visitors of some countries

Additional documents may be required, depending on your country of residence. Please use our visa search tool above or visit our visa requirements page for more information.

Rules and conditions

• Visa fees must be paid upon application.
• Additional visa processing fees apply.
• The passenger must travel to and from Dubai on Emirates or codeshare flights only.
• Visa fees are non-refundable.
• The ticket is non-refundable if the visa has been issued and utilized.
• Visa processing time is approximately 3 to 4 working days.
• Entry into the UAE is subject to immigration approval.
• All visas are valid to enter Dubai for 60 days from the date of issue, except the 96-hour and 48-hour visas, which are valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

How and where to apply for your prearranged UAE visa

• Apply online through Manage your booking
• 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas are valid for travel with Emirates tickets outbound from Dubai. You can only apply for a transit visa online or at the Emirates Commercial Visa APT office at Dubai International airport Terminal 3.

Apply online

Nationals of countries requiring a prearranged UAE visa can now apply and pay for their visas online through emirates.com.

If you are travelling to or stopping over in Dubai with Emirates, you can submit an application and receive your UAE visa entirely online – without having to submit your passport for stamping. You can apply for your UAE visa through our Manage your booking after you book your Emirates flight. VFS processing fees apply. For more information please visit VFS Global.

The online visa application service is available for residents and nationals of many countries around the world. Find out if you can apply for a UAE visa. Applicants' passports must have at least six months' validity as of their date of travel to Dubai, and must be machine readable passports – handwritten passports are not accepted.

This service is only available to passengers with a confirmed Emirates booking where an Emirates ticket has already been issued and the flight itinerary already includes the desired time in Dubai. The itinerary into and out of Dubai should be on one ticket (PNR), and these flights must be Emirates flights. Note that any itineraries including any flights to or from Dubai on other carriers are not eligible for the online visa service.

A minimum of four international working days prior to arrival in Dubai is required, however Emirates does recommend that online applications are made as early as possible.

Apply in the UAE

If you have a family member or near relative who is a UAE resident, they can apply for a visa on your behalf at any of our ticketing offices in the UAE. Please note that this service is only available to residents of the UAE.

Download the prearranged visa application form

Get started on your prearranged visa application by downloading and filling out the form.

Required applicant documents:

• A colour passport photograph
• A colour copy of your passport (must be valid for six months)
• A copy of your Emirates flight ticket, or your flight ticket from our codeshare partner
• The visa application form

Required sponsor documents:

Minimum salary required, download the sponsorship application form.

Get started on your sponsorship application by downloading and filling out the form.

Visa and sponsorship applications can be submitted to:

Abu Dhabi Emirates Ticketing Office: Al Sawari Tower C, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Visa Services: Monday to Friday (8:30am to 6pm) Saturday (8:30am to 5:30pm) Closed on Sunday and public holidays.

Ajman Emirates Ticketing Office Escape Tower, Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Street Visa Services: Monday to Saturday (9am to 6pm) Closed on Sunday and public holidays

Al Ain Emirates Ticketing Office Commercial Complex, Sheikh Khalifa Street Visa Services: Monday to Friday (8:30am to 6pm) and Saturday (8:30am to 5:30pm) Closed on Sunday and public holidays

Dubai International: Terminal 3 Arrivals Phone: 04 504 7300 E-mail: [email protected] Visa Services: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) and Saturday (9am to 4pm) Closed on Sunday and public holidays

Emirates Ticketing Office: Emirates Group Technology Centre, Ground Floor Entrance B, Al Ittihad Road, near Clock Tower, Deira Visa Services: Monday to Saturday (10am to 4pm) Closed on Sunday and public holidays

Emirates Ticketing Office: Town Centre, Jumeirah Visa Services: Daily from (10am to 4pm)

VFS Global Services GCC VASCO Worldwide 2nd floor, WAFI Mall, Level 2, Falcon Phase 2, Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, UAE

Sharjah Emirates Ticketing Office: Crystal Plaza, Buhaira Corniche Visa Services: Monday to Saturday (9am to 7pm) Closed on Sunday and public holidays Umm Al Quwain Emirates Ticketing Office: King Faisal Road, Jameiya area, near FEWA Visa Services: Monday to Saturday (9am to 8pm) Closed on Sunday and public holidays

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Cancelled flights due to UAE floods? Here's how to rebook, replace tickets

Dubai: UAE-based airline company Fly Dubai said that it would refund the ticket price for the passengers who had booked tickets on the flights that were cancelled due to the floods in UAE. Even though services have begun in terminals two and three at the Dubai International Airport, the flights are likely to get delayed. The passengers hoped the services would be restored in 24 hours. Meanwhile, the airport authorities informed that the passengers with confirmed tickets should arrive early to complete the check-in procedures to avoid overcrowding. Air Arabia Airlines based in Sharjah too would replace the tickets in the cancelled flights with equivalent vouchers. These vouchers could be used while booking tickets later. The airline company has expressed willingness to redeem the vouchers as cash too.

Emirates passengers should rebook tickets Emirates Airlines informed that the passengers whose journeys were cancelled should contact the respective agents or the airline call centre to rebook the tickets. The company said that they are trying to reschedule all the flights and that the passengers should check the website before leaving for the airport to know the renewed schedules as the flights are likely to get delayed. Meanwhile, Emirates expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the passengers.

Entrance to Dubai International Airport restricted The authorities of the Dubai International Airport said that passengers with confirmed air travel would be allowed to enter the airport. The passengers have been requested to cooperate to manage the crowd. Besides, the passengers should not directly reach the airport to know the renewed schedules or to rebook the tickets; instead, they should contact the respective travel agent or the airline company. The schedules are constantly updated on the websites of airline companies. 

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The Picture Show

Photos: uae sees its heaviest rains in 75 years.

Aya Batrawy

Atypically heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday caused flooding, flight cancellations and school closures. Vehicles were abandoned on highways like this one in Dubai. Francois Nel/Getty Images hide caption

Atypically heavy rains in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and Tuesday caused flooding, flight cancellations and school closures. Vehicles were abandoned on highways like this one in Dubai.

DUBAI — Schools and businesses have been closed across the United Arab Emirates after the country experienced about year's worth of rain in one day.

The flooding also disrupted travel at Dubai International Airport, which is the world's busiest for international travel.

Climate talks end on a first-ever call for the world to move away from fossil fuels

Videos posted online showed residents sweeping rainwater out of their homes and luxury cars stranded in Dubai's flooded streets, after a storm unleashed the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the country since the start of data collection 75 years ago. That was well before the country was founded.

Dubai's high-end stores weren't spared either, as rainwater gushed through the ceilings of shopping malls. At Dubai's main airport, the runway flooded and flagship carrier Emirates suspended all departing flights on Wednesday. The local Gulf News reported more than 1,200 flights were canceled due to Tuesday's storms. The airport is expected to return to fully operational by Friday.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by NPR (@npr)

The city, known for its year-round sunny weather and beaches, saw sunshine later in the week, but schools remained remote due to road closures.

Despite some damage to cars, homes and roads, the UAE's state news agency says the rainfall boosts the country's groundwater reserves.

Rainfall in nearby Oman is blamed for more than 20 deaths this week, including 10 children swept away in a car on their way home from school Monday, according to state-owned media there.

A flooded parking lot in Dubai on Thursday. Francois Nel/Getty Images hide caption

Passengers queue at a flight connection desk at the Dubai International Airport on Wednesday. Dubai's main airport diverted scores of incoming flights on Tuesday as heavy rains lashed the United Arab Emirates, causing widespread flooding around the country. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Cars drive in a flooded street following heavy rains in Dubai on Wednesday. Torrential rain caused floods across the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman. Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A man walks along a road barrier on Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road amid floodwater caused by heavy rain, Thursday. Christopher Pike/AP hide caption

A tanker truck sits abandoned in floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world's busiest airfield for international travel. Jon Gambrell/AP hide caption

People wait for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on Thursday. Christopher Pike/AP hide caption

Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai on Wednesday. Jon Gambrell/AP hide caption

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