Bring your family to UAE at very low cost, here's how to apply

DUBAI: Children under 18 years of age who are visiting the UAE with their families can get a visa free of charge. Media houses including Khaleej Times have reported that there are no restrictions on the number of children who can apply for a free visa.

This offer is available only when applying for a visitor visa through authorized travel agencies within and outside the UAE. However, the parents have to pay the normal rates prevailing for the visa. Getting a free visa for children is very comforting for expats. Along with this, the family has been allowed to apply for group visas through authorized travel agencies to visit the UAE. As the festive seasons begin, many people are expected to avail the services of Family Visa.

How to apply

Family requiring visitor visas must provide documents including passport copies, photographs and other documents to the authorized travel agency. The passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of application. After submitting all the documents together, the fee should be paid. Although the visa is free for children under eighteen, the travel agent has to pay service and insurance fees. If all the documents submitted along with the application are correct, the visa will be issued within a day or two.

Short-term tourist visas are valid for 30 to 60 days. But if necessary it can be extended to a maximum of 120 days. Don't forget to apply before the current visa expires.