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Updated December 2022

With the ease of COVID-19 restrictions, many travellers from around the world are looking forward to visiting the Emirates and delighting in its magnificent attractions and superb travel destinations, including the ones from the GCC countries. To enter UAE, travellers from GCC need to obtain a visa to be granted a stay in the UAE. Read further to know more.

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UAE has now opened their border for travellers from all over the world. Passengers travelling to UAE from all countries (GCC included) are no longer required to show a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a result of a PCR test.

However, according to the latest update from the Federal Authority for Identity, Nationality, Customs and Ports Security, “disease-free certificate” is now a requirement for providing an entry permit for citizens of nations exempt from visa requirements to enter the UAE. This certificate must be presented with the other required documents for entry permits, such as the original passport and a personal coloured photo.

Residents of the GCC must apply for an e-Visa (also known as an entry permit) and obtain them before travelling to the UAE. They can apply through GDRFA if they wish to enter from Dubai, and they can apply through Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security if they wish to enter the other Emirates in the UAE.

However, GCC residents do not need a visa if they are sponsored by UAE residents. In other words, they can enter the UAE visa-free.

UAE Family Visa 2022: How to Get UAE Sponsor Visa for Your Family?

UAE & Dubai visa for GCC residents application process

Required documents for UAE Visa for GCC residents

Below are the documents that you need to prepare before applying for the e-Visa:

A valid residency proof in any one of the GCC countries
Original passport
Coloured pass photo

Applying for UAE e-Visa for GCC residents through Amer

To obtain the e-Visa by GDRFA provided for GCC Residents, you must first log in to the GDRFA Amer service website. The Ministry of Interior’s GDRFA is in charge of controlling travellers’ entry and exit through Dubai. Below are the steps to obtain your e-Visa:

Visit the GDRFA website
Register a new user account (in case you haven’t registered)
Choose the required service
Attach the required documents
Pay the fees due for the service
Submit the request

Applying for UAE e-Visa for GCC residents through ICA to Abu Dhabi & other Emirates

Below are the steps to obtain your e-Visa through the ICA:

Access the website of the ICA Smart Services
Look for the e-Visa service
Fill out your personal information
Attach the required documents
Pay the service fee

Important note:

After your application has been approved, your e-Visa will be sent to your registered email address.
GCC expatriate residents and companions travelling with GCC citizens will be rejected unless the sponsor is travelling with them.
If the GCC residence visa is found to be expired or cancelled upon arrival in UAE, they will be denied entry.
If the profession of the GCC resident is different from when they applied for the entry permit, entry will be denied.
The GCC residency permit should be valid for a minimum of 3 extra months from the date of arrival.
The passport of GCC residents must be valid for a minimum of 3 months from the date of arrival.

The UAE eVisa for GCC residents costs around 250 AED.

UAE & Dubai visa for GCC residents validity

The entry permit for GCC residents has a validity period of 30 days from the issue date and permits a stay of 30 days from the day of entry. The visa can be extended once for an additional 30 days.

The entry permit for companions travelling with GCC citizens has a validity period of 60 days from the issue date and permits a stay of 60 days from the date of entry. It can be extended once for 60 days.

Please note that the UAE has discontinued visa extensions from within the country. Any GCC resident who wishes to extend their visa must leave the country first. The cheapest method would be to take a bus to Oman and apply for a visa extension from there. Another way is to fly to the nearest middle east airport and travel back to the UAE.