UAE announces new transit visa policy

UAE announces new transit visa policy which is aimed at enhancing transit visa procedures to enable stopover passengers to enjoy a day out in the country, thus boosting the tourism industry.

The cabinet has given a thumbs up for the preparations to begin on a general policy to grant entry visas to transit passengers – across all UAE airports – who wish to visit the country’s landmarks and tourist attractions.

The cabinet has formed a working group, led by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, to prepare the new policy considering the possible positive effects it will have on the tourism sector and the economy in general. Around 70 per cent of the total passengers who passed through UAE’s airports in 2017 were transit passengers.

The new policy will list visa fee, mechanisms for increasing the number of stop-over visitors, as well as ways to promote the country’s tourism attractions.