The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customers and Ports Security in the UAE has altered the process by which visitors can apply for entry permit extensions in the country.
Visitors can now apply for visit extensions directly through the government website or smartphone app, according to reports in the Arabic newspaper Emarat Al Youm.
It comes as the authority looks to digitize operations in order to make the process more user-friendly. In addition, the authority has recently joined Tik Tok and Snapchat.
If the correct criteria are met, people applying for updated entry permits online or via the app may be granted an extension in less than 48 hours.
The 24-hour service would greatly simplify the process of extending visit visas, but it is subject to the type of entry permit issued.
Extensions are valid for 30 days and may be granted twice. 610 dirhams is the cost of an extension.
According to the Emarat Al Youm report, a 30-day extension application for GCC residents costs 260 dirhams and must be accompanied by a passport copy.
The duration of a visit visa will depend on the purpose of the trip, but it cannot be longer than one year, the report highlighted.
Read more: Demand surges for UAE Golden Visas
Since early 2019, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has issued 151,600 Golden Visas.
Earlier this week, the UAE unveiled a new online tool to help users determine whether they are eligible for a Golden Visa.
