A new visa counter has opened at Abu Dhabi Airport to facilitate the process of applying for a visa.
Passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport can get tourist visas within 15-30 minutes, authorities announced.
A new visa counter was opened at the airport to facilitate the process of applying for a visa for transit and arriving passengers in the capital of the UAE.
The new service, located in the transit zone of Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), includes the opening of a new four-day or 96-hour transit visa for all citizens traveling through the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The announcement was made jointly by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways, and the Abu Dhabi General Directorate for Residents and Foreigners.
The launch of a new visa desk is part of an initiative to support the improvement of the tourism experience.
A visa worth 300 dirhams ($ 81.7) can be used by passengers to stay in Abu Dhabi or to make transfers in Abu Dhabi if the duration of the transfer exceeds four hours. A transit visa can be applied both at the new counter and through the online portal, if passengers meet the application criteria. Travelers can also ask to change their transit visa to a tourist visa at the airport if they plan to extend their stay in the capital.
Previously, a transit visa was only available to citizens of certain countries, while other passengers had to apply through official channels before arriving in the capital.
Mansour Ahmed Ali Al-Daheri, Director General for Residence and Foreign Affairs of Abu Dhabi, said: "The launch of a new entry visa system strengthens the country's efforts to maintain its regional leadership and position on the international map of tourism, economy and education."
"The new system offers several advantages, including the unification of standards and work procedures, as well as providing the healthcare, education and tourism sectors with advanced modern laws and regulations," he added.
Abdul Majid Al-Khoury, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, commented: “We are very pleased to work with interested parties and are launching this new offer for our travelers. A 96-hour visa will help attract a large number of transfer passengers to get to know Abu "Dhabi and his extensive offers during their stop."
Saif Saeed Gobash, Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, said: “This initiative will increase the availability of Abu Dhabi to more passengers from around the world and invite them to open the emirate, which has become a destination due to its rich cultural experience and exciting family events. "
This move is expected to increase the number of hotel guests from around the world in all three regions of Abu Dhabi. The October 2017 figures show an 18 percent increase in the number of visitors compared to the same month last year.
