Good news for tourists in the UAE as holders of expired tourist visas cannow stay in the country till March 31.
According to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs(GDRFA), the facility has been extended to holders of expired one-month andthree-month visits and tourist visas.
Travel agents have confirmed that the validity of Dubai visas they appliedfor on behalf of the travelers has been automatically extended to March 31.Several tourists also confirmed that they got their visas extended.
Earlier Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and PrimeMinister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had announced on December 27 a freeone-month visa extension to all tourists.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi issued a press release that mentionedthat the validity of all visit visas/ entry permits issued before December28 has been extended till March 31.
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Inas Iqbal, an agent with Deira Travels, mentioned that the facility seemsto have been extended only for Dubai visa holders for now. “The overstayfines travelers accumulated have also been waived off for visit visaholders whose visas were issued in Dubai.”
Mathew John, managing director, Sandset Travels said, “The facility doesnot seem to be available for visas issued by Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Manywho heard about this overstayed and ended up paying fines.” He advisedpassengers, “We strongly advise passengers to check the online systembefore deciding to stay back or planning their travel back home.”
