UAE announces updates to 15 services linked to visa, entry permits

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) announced on Wednesday that it has updated 15 services covering visas and entry permits through its smart channels.

The recent updates adopted by the authority, as part of its smart services system, came into effect on February 1.

The updates include a one time visa extension for a period of 30 days for 90-day visa holders, as well as prohibiting residency visa renewal if its validity is for more than six months.

Other updates include:

• The addition of the reference number (PRAN NUMBER) for identity requests to the financial receipt, in addition to stopping the delegates’ service, the facilities’ fund services, and all related features and verification mechanisms.
• Addition of Dh100 as a smart service fee to the cost of a visa and Emirates ID, in accordance with approved conditions.
• Group family visa for tourism, treatment and patient companion, for single and multiple entries issued for a period of 60 days and 180 days.
• Exemption for ‘people of determination’ citizens from fingerprinting when submitting applications for the issuance, renewal, and replacement of passports.
• Services offered for cancelling and amending visa data in the accounts of GCC citizens without an Emirates ID.
• The extension of visit visa of a relative or friend for single or multiple entries allowed for a period of 30, 60, and 90 days in the individual’s accounts.

UAE’s ICP adds entry permit service in January

Last month, the authority announced that it had added a service on its smart channels for entry permits related to residents who stayed outside the UAE for more than six months.

The authority said – in a statement – that the new service was launched with the aim of supporting customers and enabling residents who have valid residence permits and were forced to stay outside the country for study, work or treatment for a period of more than 6 months, and then they exhausted the specified period for staying outside the country, which results in the cancellation of residence.

According to a report published by the state news agency WAM, the authority explained that the new service allows such residents to activate the residency again and use it to enter the country, subject to the approval of the authority, noting that this service includes all residencies approved within the system of services provided by the authority.