The UAE Digital Government (DGOV) has announced that all foreign residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi expatriates, must obtain an electronic visa before traveling to the UAE. This visa allows a stay of 30 days, with a chance to extend it for another 30 days. Securing this electronic visa is mandatory for entering the UAE.
How to Apply
Saudi expat residents can apply for the visa on the official websites of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICP). Once your application is approved, the visa will be sent to your registered email.
Important Note: Family members or support staff of Saudi expat residents cannot get visit visas unless their family sponsor is traveling with them.
Visa Conditions and Procedures
Here are the key conditions for GCC residents obtaining an electronic visa:
- Validity for GCC Residents: The visa is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued, allowing a 30-day stay. It can be extended once for another 30 days.
- Validity for GCC Companions: For companions of Saudi citizens, the visa is valid for 60 days from the issuance date, allowing a 60-day stay, extendable once for another 60 days.
- Residency Requirements: You cannot enter the UAE if your residency (Iqama) in Saudi Arabia has expired or been canceled.
- Profession Change: If you change your profession after getting the visa, it will become invalid.
- Residency Duration: Your Iqama must be valid for at least one year from the arrival date in UAE.
- Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months upon arrival in the UAE.
How to Apply on ICP
To apply for an eVisa via the ICP platform, follow these steps:
- In order to apply for an UAE eVisa through the ICP platform, you need to create an UAE Pass account.
- Then, login to the ICP smart service using your email, password, or UAE Pass.
- Select the Relevant Section:
- Go to the ICP section for the emirate you are traveling to.
- Search for the service titled “Issue an entry permit for residents of the GCC countries.”
- Click on ‘Start Service’ to begin your application.
- Fill out the application form, upload the required documents and make payment.
- After submission, you will receive a transaction number for tracking your visa application.
Required Documents:
- A copy of your passport
- A GCC residence visa.
- A passport-sized, colored photo
Transit Visas
The UAE offers two types of transit visas:
- 48-Hour Transit Visa: This visa is free and cannot be renewed.
- 96-Hour Transit Visa: This costs AED50 and is also non-renewable.
If you prefer a transit visa, you can apply for it through UAE national airlines before traveling. Applications can also be submitted through the UAE’s smart platforms, including the Federal Authority’s E-channels or the UAEICP app available on Apple and Android devices.
Requirements for Transit Visas
To get a 48-hour transit visa, you need to meet these criteria:
- Your passport must be valid for at least three months upon entering the UAE.
- You must provide a personal photo with a white background.
- You need a confirmed ticket to a third destination.
- You must be transiting to a country other than the one you arrived from.
For the 96-hour transit visa, the requirements are similar, but your passport must be valid for at least six months.