The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, jointly with Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways and General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs – Abu Dhabi, launched a new visa counter to facilitate the visa application process and grant both transit and arriving passengers visas to Abu Dhabi within 15 to 30 minutes.
The new service, located at the Terminal 3 transit area at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), includes activation of the new four-day, or 96-hour, transit visa for all nationalities travelling through Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The new counter will issue several types of mission and tourist visas available to travellers who do not fall under the current visa upon arrival scheme. Passengers can now approach the visa counter in T3 to apply for, and obtain the relevant visa within a maximum 30 minutes.
In addition, the visa counter is now issuing the new 96 hour transit visa, which is a key part of Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to attract more visitors to the capital. The AED 300-visa can be used by passengers with planned trips from AUH, or with intermediate flights through Abu Dhabi en route to their destination if their layover exceeds four hours.
Brigadier Mansour Ahmed Ali Al Dhaheri, Director-General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Abu Dhabi, said his department had facilitated the registration process for tourism companies and held several workshops for companies and entities working in the tourism sector. “The launch of the new entry visa system strengthens the country’s efforts to maintain its regional leadership and position on the global map in the fields of tourism, economy and education. The benefits of the advanced system cover several areas aimed at advancing competitiveness. The new system offers several benefits including the unification of work standards and procedures, as well as equipping health, education and tourism sectors with advanced, modern laws and regulations,” he added.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi: said: ” The visa counter at AUH will further enhance the tourist experience when visiting Abu Dhabi. In addition, the newly launched 96 hour transit visa will facilitate the passenger experience of over 15 million (as per 2016 numbers) travellers who transfer through our airport every year. We can now process their requests for a transit visa in just 30 minutes. This initiative will enhance Abu Dhabi’s accessibility to more passengers from around the world and invite them to discover the Emirate, which has quickly become a destination of distinction for its rich cultural experiences and exciting family-friendly activities. The new transit visa scheme is aligned with our strategic plans to leverage every available opportunity to boost the tourism sector, which is a key contributor to the country’s economic diversification plans.”
