#visas

Abu Dhabi

UAE residency visas: Covid-19 test now required prior to medical screening in Abu Dhabi

Starting from June 7, a PCR test must be taken not more than 72 hours prior to visiting an AHS centre for a visa medical test

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to issue discounted tourist visas for Israelis, Egyptians, Armenians and Georgians

Passengers will be able to apply and pay for the visa via the carrier’s website itself

Saudi Arabia Visas

Saudi offers automatic extension of residency, visit visas for stranded expats

The General Directorate of Passports will extend the validity of visas of expatriates from countries where entry to the kingdom is currently banned

VFS Global Turkey Visa Application Centre Dubai

New Turkey visa application centre opens in Dubai

A Platinum Lounge service includes a personal chauffeur service to and from the visa application centre

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

UAE announces new remote working residency visa, multiple-entry tourist visas

The decision was reached on Sunday during a cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

KUWAIT-HEALTH-VIRUS

Kuwait eases visa transfer restrictions for expats

The new decision allows expat government employees and those on dependent visas to transfer to jobs in the private sector

Abu Dhabi launches programme to attract expatriates

The ‘Thrive in Abu Dhabi’ initiative invites foreigners and their families to settle down in the capital emirate

UAE Israel

UAE postpones visa-free travel agreement with Israel until July 1

Airlines from both countries have begun scheduled direct commercial passenger flights over the last few weeks

Dubai UAE

Dubai Tourism signs agreement with GDRFA to collaborate on residency permits, special visas

The two entities will collaborate on special residency programmes including the Virtual Working programme, Golden Visas for investors and retirement visa too

Dubai UAE Residents

UAE residents who have stayed outside of the country for over 180 days can now return

Those with valid visas issued in Dubai must get an approval from the GDRFA before they return

KUWAIT-EGYPT-HEALTH-VIRUS

Kuwait to offer only one-year residency for expats – report

The new decision will apply to all expats entering the country

UAE airport

UAE authorities issue guidelines on applying for amnesty as Dec deadline looms

Following the amnesty period, those found with expired visas face fines of up to Dhs315 per week

KUWAIT-INDIA-HEALTH-VIRUS amnesty

Kuwait offers second amnesty this year for undocumented expats

The amnesty will require expats living illegally to either get a valid residency or leave the country after paying their fines to avoid a ban

KUWAIT-HEALTH-VIRUS

Kuwait going ahead with decision to ban work permits for expats aged over 60 from Jan 1

The decision applies to expat workers who do not have a university degree

UAE expands eligibility for golden residency visas – new categories revealed

Potential recipients include specialised degree holders in AI, big data, epidemiology and viruses, as well as doctors and engineers, among others

Kuwait expats

Kuwait urges expats with expired visas to alter status or exit the country by Nov 30

Officials said those found illegally residing in the country after November 30 will be deported and prevented from returning to Kuwait

ISRAEL-UAE-DIPLOMACY

UAE, Israel agree on bilateral visa-free travel

Emirati citizens will become the first in the Arab world to not require Israeli entry visas

BAHRAIN-HEALTH-VIRUS

Bahrain to extend all visit visas for free until January 2021

Visa holders will not be required to apply for the renewal through the e-visa website – it will be done automatically

Bahrain

Bahrain launches 10-year multiple-entry visa for US citizens

The visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days during each visit to the kingdom

UAE residence-visa

Deadline ends for UAE visa holders whose permits have expired

Those whose visas expired between March 1 and July 11 had a three-month grace period, which ended on October 10

All emirates in the UAE start issuing tourist visas – ICA

However, work permits will still not be issued at this stage

Indian-workers-Saudi

Saudi extends validity of expired residency visas for expats stuck aboard

The decision comes since international passenger flights to and from the kingdom remain suspended

KUWAIT-HEALTH-VIRUS expats

Kuwait to extend expired residency, visit visas for 3 more months from September 1

The extension will be processed automatically by the ministry online

Dubai airport

Tourists flying to Dubai do not need GDRFA/ICA approvals – Air India Express

Dubai reopened to tourists last month

Revealed: Answers to all Dubai visa related queries

Holders of expired residency visas should renew them before exiting the country if they wish to return

Kuwait expats

Kuwait unlikely to extend visas beyond Aug 31, to stop issuing work permits for certain expats aged over 60

Expatriates whose visas expired by the end of May were given a three-month free grace period to renew their documents

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia extends validity of residency permits, entry and exit visas for expats

Most of the visas have been extended for three months without holders having to pay any extra fee

Saudi extends tourist visas for three months free of charge

The kingdom suspended all international flights in March

Etihad to start operating inbound flights for UAE residents

The limited one-way flights from 12 cities have all been approved by the UAE government