UAE residents can only obtain visitor visas for first- and second-degree relatives

The federal Agency for Identity and Nationality, Customs and Port Security confirmed that the issuance of entry visas for foreigners is limited to first- and second-degree relatives.

According to the “Foreigners’ Entry and Residence Management Decision”, to obtain an entry visa for visiting relatives and friends, foreigners who come to China must be relatives and friends of citizens, regardless of kinship, and foreigners who come to the country must be residents of the country. First or first degree relatives.

The second requirement is that the resident alien must have a job at the first or second professional level.

According to the official statement, there are a total of 459 positions for first- and second-level majors, including 131 first-level positions and 328 second-level positions.

The authority added that there are other requirements for the issuance of family and friend visit visas according to the regulations determined by the authorities, including that the visitor must be a relative of a citizen, or a resident residing in the country.

There must be evidence of kinship and reasons for the visit, financial guarantees established for this purpose and reasons for entry, especially if it is a foreign wife of a man who is a citizen of a GCC country, provided he has a valid residence permit.

The authorities have allowed individuals residing in the UAE to apply for the issuance of visit visas for relatives or friends abroad of foreigners through the Smart Application (UAEICP) in simple and smooth steps, which enhances the e-service experience for customers, and meets foreign the future needs of all groups of people and inhabitants.

The authorities invite all individuals to download the Smart App and take advantage of the wide variety of services it offers, including applying for a visitor visa for a relative or friend, as applying for it requires a digital identity to log in through the app, select Start a new service and click New Visa for multiple trips, depending on the type of visit visa (30, 60 or 90 days) for relatives or friends.

Authorities confirmed that after issuing a visa to an overseas client, he must enter the country within 60 days from the date the entry permit was issued, noting that the entry permit is valid for 30, 60 or 90 days, depending on the period of issue. He can leave the country before the stipulated period expires or extend his entry permit to avoid an additional fine of Dh100 for each additional day.