Visa Process for Foreign Residents in GCC Countries Visiting UAE

The tourism sector in the UAE is one of the key pillars supporting the national economy; millions of visitors from around the world come to explore its iconic landmarks and stunning recreational destinations. Each country or region has specific entry requirements, and certain nationalities are eligible for an Emirates transit visa upon arrival. For example, citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may enter the UAE by presenting a valid passport issued by any GCC member state or their national ID card upon arrival at any entry point. This article will detail the conditions and procedures for obtaining an UAE visa for foreign residents in GCC countries.

UAE Visa for Foreign Residents in GCC Countries

UAE visa types vary depending on duration or category. If you do not qualify for visa-free entry or an on-arrival visa, you must obtain a prior entry permit issued by your sponsor before arriving in the UAE. For foreign residents in GCC countries, an electronic visa is required to enter the UAE, allowing a stay of up to 30 days from the date of entry, extendable once for another 30 days. According to a report from the UAE’s digital government, foreign residents from other GCC countries must obtain this electronic visa as a mandatory requirement for entry.

It should be noted that the UAE transit visa is available only to GCC nationals, not to residents of those countries. It is exclusively coordinated by national airlines of the UAE and is free of charge for 48 hours with no fees, provided the following conditions are met:

• The validity of the passport or travel document must be at least three months beyond the entry date into the UAE.
• A clear white-background photograph is required.
• The traveler must have a confirmed onward ticket to continue their journey.
• The traveler must be heading to a country other than the one they departed from.

An alternative 96-hour transit visa is available for AED 50, subject to the following requirements:

• The passport or travel document must be valid for at least six months beyond the entry date into the UAE.
• A clear white-background photograph is required.
• The traveler must have a confirmed onward ticket to continue their journey.
• The traveler must be heading to a country other than the one they departed from.

National airline agents can submit transit visa applications on behalf of travelers via smart channels managed by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Border Security, or through the UAEICP mobile app available on Apple and Android platforms, or via all electronic and smart channels offered by the respective emirate’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Note that a departure fee of AED 30 is charged for each traveler at land and sea border crossings, except for UAE nationals, GCC nationals, and tourists arriving by cruise ships through maritime ports.

Procedures

The UAE visa for GCC residents is available electronically through two main channels: the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website and the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs website. The application process is as follows:

Online Portal or App Procedures:

1. If you haven’t registered yet, create a user account on the official website of the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
2. Fill in the required information after logging in using your username or digital ID.
3. Attach the necessary documents and paperwork.
4. Pay the applicable service fees.
5. Rate the service experience.
6. The electronic visa will be sent to the email address registered in the application once processing is complete and approval is granted.

Customer Happiness Centers Procedures:

1. Visit the nearest Customer Happiness Center.
2. Collect a virtual queue number.
3. Submit your application after confirming all conditions are met and providing all required documents to the service officer.
4. Pay any applicable service fees (if required).

Authorized Printing Offices Procedures:

1. Visit a nearby authorized printing office.
2. Submit your application after confirming all conditions are met and providing all required documents to the office staff.
3. Pay any service fees if requested.

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions for issuing the UAE visa for GCC residents include the following:

• Entry permit validity for GCC residents is 30 days from the date of issuance, with a maximum stay of 30 days from entry, extendable once for an additional 30 days.
• Entry permit validity for dependents of GCC nationals is 60 days from the date of issuance, with a maximum stay of 60 days from entry, extendable once for an additional 60 days.
• No GCC visit visa request will be approved for family members or support persons of GCC residents or dependents unless the sponsor travels with them.
• A resident or dependent of a GCC national is not permitted to enter the UAE if their residence status is canceled or expired.
• A GCC resident entry permit holder is not allowed to enter the UAE if their occupation has changed since the permit was issued.
• The validity of the residence permit in any GCC country must be at least one year upon arrival at UAE entry points.
• The passport validity for entry permit holders must exceed six months upon arrival at UAE entry points.

Note that applications may be rejected electronically if incomplete due to missing data or documents, and will be fully rejected after three return attempts due to such deficiencies. Additionally, regulations and rules are subject to change without prior notice.

Required Documents

The documents required to apply for the UAE visa for foreign residents in GCC countries include:

• A valid residence permit in one of the GCC countries.
• The original passport.
• A colored personal photograph.

Applicants may also provide proof of familial relationship if applicable, included among the required documents for the service.

Service Fees Details

The table below outlines the cost of issuing the UAE visa for foreign residents in GCC countries:

Fee Description	Amount in UAE Dirham
Fee Description Application Fee	Amount in UAE Dirham 100
Fee Description Issuance Fee	Amount in UAE Dirham 100
Fee Description Smart Services Fee	Amount in UAE Dirham 100
Fee Description Electronic Services Fee	Amount in UAE Dirham 28
Fee Description Federal Authority Fee	Amount in UAE Dirham 22
Fee Description Total	Amount in UAE Dirham 350

Please note that service costs may vary based on the information submitted in the application.

Extending Entry Permit for GCC Residents

You can easily extend your entry permit for GCC residents through the official website of the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Simply follow these steps:

1. Download the Dubai Now app, one of the leading government apps in Dubai, or visit the official website of the Dubai General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs and create a new account (if you don’t already have one).
2. Select the “Extend Entry Permit for GCC Residents” service.
3. Attach the required documents: the extension form and a copy of your sponsor’s residence permit in the GCC country where you reside.
4. Pay the required fees using available payment methods.
5. Submit the application.

If you wish to extend your entry permit through the Amr Dubai service, follow these steps:

1. Visit the nearest Amr Dubai service center.
2. Select the required service at the reception counter.
3. Hand over the required documents and paperwork to the service officer.
4. Pay the applicable service fees to the officer.
5. Submit your application.

Note that you will receive an email and SMS notification in the following cases:

• If there are any missing elements in your application, you will be notified to submit the missing items within 30 days. Failure to do so will result in your application being canceled.
• If no deficiencies are found, you will be informed of approval and the approved application will be sent via email.

It is important to ensure that the traveler has no restrictions preventing entry into the UAE, and that their occupation is clearly stated in their residence permit or work card. Please note that the fees for extending the entry permit may vary depending on the details entered in the application.

Extended Entry Permit Fees for GCC Residents

Service fees for extending the entry permit for GCC residents can be paid through any of the official government payment channels. Below are the detailed fee breakdowns:

• Visa extension fee: AED 600, plus 5% VAT.
• Additional fees (if the sponsor is inside the UAE):
  • Knowledge Fee: AED 10
  • Innovation Fee: AED 10
  • Onshore Fee: AED 500

Please note that the total visa fees may change due to changes in the sponsor’s circumstances or other unforeseen factors.

Contact Information

If you need further information about this service, wish to inquire, or submit suggestions, you can contact the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Border Security through the following details:

• Address: Street 12, beside Al-Fursan Sports Resort, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi
• Working Hours:
  • 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)
  • 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM | 2:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Friday)
• Contact: 02 495 5555 | 600 222222

It is important to note that UAE law prohibits visitors and tourists from working in the country while holding a visit or tourist visa, whether for pay or otherwise. Violators face fines and deportation. Companies employing tourists or visitors may also face legal consequences and financial penalties. UAE labor and residency laws stipulate that individuals cannot legally work in the UAE without a valid work permit or authorization issued by the competent authority. If you intend to work in the UAE, we recommend reviewing the process and requirements for obtaining a UAE work permit.

This concludes our overview of the UAE visa process for GCC residents, including requirements, conditions, and necessary documents. For more useful and relevant topics, visit the leading Arabic-language real estate blog in the UAE, MyBayt, covering subjects such as the upcoming unified Gulf tourism visa. We hope this guide has saved you time and effort. If you have any questions, we’re happy to assist through the comments section below. Don’t forget to subscribe to the weekly MyBayt Newsletter for the latest updates.