Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Applicants for UAE entry permits must now include a copy of their passport’s external cover page as part of the application process, immigration authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have confirmed. The new rule, which applies to all nationalities and visa types, covers new entry permits, including visit visas, tourist visas, work visas, visa corrections, and multiple-entry visas. Amer Centres and typing centres in both emirates said they received circulars from the immigration departments last week. “Passport external page has been added as a mandatory document for all entry permit applications. This requirement applies to all nationalities and all visa types and affects the following application types – new entry permit,” the notice stated. Applicants must now submit: • A copy of the passport bio-data page • Passport external cover page • Clear, recent passport-size photograph • Hotel booking confirmation • Round-trip flight ticket copy • Valid travel insurance Amer centre staff confirmed to Expat Media that the new rule has already been implemented since last week. Travel experts suggest the measure is intended to make the applicant’s nationality clearer. Passports display the country name prominently on the cover, which serves as official proof of origin and helps UAE authorities speed up verification and prevent errors in processing. Entry visa applications in the UAE are handled by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA Dubai). ICA/Expat Media
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