Amidst a new announcement directed at encouraging tourism and to “strengthen the UAE’s status as a global economic capital, the UAE cabinet headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the country, has approved a proposal allowing multi-entry tourist visas for people of all nationalities. The decision came in after the PM led a meeting on Sunday.
Apart from the multiple entry visas, another visa has also been announced called ‘Virtual Visas’ that will allow people from across the world to come into Emirates and work from Dubai for their online work.
This has come as a boon for professionals who are currently working remotely, given the pandemic situation. It is applicable to everyone, of all nationalities, similar to the first visa type, regardless of the location of their office.
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The current multiple entry tourist visas had a shelf life of 90 days that prohibits people from re-entering the territory post the expiration period of 3 months. Getting rid of this regime, the new visa permits people to enter and exit the country as many times as they want.
Though this decision is aimed at encouraging tourism in UAE and making it the preferred tourism destination in the world, the announcement comes as a blessing for NRIs and other expatriates living in the UAE who invite their relatives with a visiting visa to meet them.
The latest update is in line with the announcement made last year where the UAE granted a 5-year multiple entry visa for all tourists. The country welcomes nearly 21 million visitors every year, the PM had said.
The one of its kind visa category was introduced then to prepare the nation for the coming 50 years, as per his statement.
“The year 2020 will be different because it is the year of preparation for the next 50, the year in which we design the future of the emirates,” Sheikh Mohammed had tweeted.
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This step, he said, was to promote the tourism industry and provide ease for the foreigners who work in the nation. According to the local media houses, the UAE has made efforts to strengthen its visa regulations by making reforms in recent years for boosting the economy, aiding investors, businessmen, skilled individuals and their clan.
