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Apply for UAE Tourist / Visit Visa extension options 2022
Alert
After the covid 19 lock down Airport to airport visa change service has been suspended. Coronavirus Travel Restrictions imposed across middle east and oman made the flights unavailable & now the visitors are exiting to their home country or doing visa change without exit
Airport to airport visa change - Step by Step process
Updated August 18, 2020
Step by step detail guide on Airport to Airport visa change process and keep reading to find out few more UAE visa renewal/ extension options and rates.
Table Of Contents
01
What is airport to airport visa change
Airport to Airport visa change in UAE is a prominent visa renewal method used by the UAE visitors whose visa nearly expire and cancelled UAE resident visa holders whose grace period about to finish. For such expatriates A to A visa change helps to remain legally in UAE exchanging visa from old visa to a new tourist visa and avoid overstay fines. This service is frequently offered by the local tour operators partnered with local airlines such as Air Arabia, Fly Dubai & Jazeera Airways facilitate by UAE airports (Only Sharjah and Dubai airports). Usually, this visa renewal procedure allows flying to closest middle-eastern countries airports like Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, Kuwait, Bahrain and return UAE and re-entry upon approval of new UAE tourist visa.
The advantages of A2A visa change package allows applicants to quickly get a new tourist visa exiting to nearest gulf city rather than flying all the way back to applicants home country which could be expensive and long journey. Saves your money as well as time. On the other hand, Airport to Airport visa renewal is much cheaper comparing to inside country visa change or extension without exit, but bit expensive than Oman visa run by bus/ own vehicle.
02
Documents required
Prepaid visa holders
- Recent, color Photograph of the applicant
- Color passport copy which has at least 6 months validity (passport is not expiring before another 6 months )
- Current UAE visit /tourist visa copy
- Reference person’s UAE residence visa page (Could be a family member/ friend/ professional contact )
- Additional documents might require, depending on your nationality Ex : National ID Card of Pakistan national and passport signature page,
- Birth certificate if a child applicant doing this visa change
On arrival nationals
- Recent, color Photograph of the applicant
- Color passport copy which has at least 6 months validity (passport should not expire before another 6 months )
- Reference person’s UAE residence visa page (Could be a family member/ friend/ professional contact )
- Birth certificate if a child applicant doing this visa change
- Visa Extension page If you have done any online visa extension services previously (Amer services visa extension page)
Cancelled Residence visa
- Recently captured , color Photograph of the applicant
- Color passport copy which has at least 6 months validity (passport should not expire before another 6 months )
- Resident visa Cancelation page
- UAE residence visa page
- Reference person’s UAE residence visa page (Could be a family member/ friend/ professional contact )
- Additional documents might require, depending on your nationality Ex : National ID Card of Pakistan national and passport signature page,
- Birth certificate if a child applicant doing this visa change
03
Nationality check
Most of the time airport to airport visa change is requested by the pre-paid visa holders and cancelled resident visa holders who are in UAE. However, even the on-arrival visa holders also can take the advantage of the visa change option and avoid driving to Oman boarder.
Following are the list of nationals who can benefit from airport to airport visa renewal facility
Prepaid visa holders
Almost all the Asian countries passport holders such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam can obtain this service, also Arabic nationals like Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco & Algeria can obtain this service. African countries passport holders such as like Bostanawa, Cameroon, Ethiopia , Fiji, Mauritius , Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia.
It is better if prepaid visit visa holders of other nationalities don't opt for the Airport to Airport visa change because security checks and black list checks can delay the process. Airports are given a deadline of 24 to 48 hours for the applicants to use the airport
On Arrival nationals
A 30-day on arrival nationals
Nationals originating from the below mentioned countries are issued a complementary 30 day visit visa that is stamped on entry. Individuals who prefer not to use any visa run services can opt for the airport to airport method. The process is simple. Fly out of UAE and re-enter to obtain an additional 30 day visit visa for free. You will have to spend around 700 to 800 AED for a round ticket out of and back in to UAE.
| Andorra | Australia | Brunei |
| Canada | China | Hong Kong, China |
| Japan | Kazakhstan | Macau, China |
| Malaysia | Mauritius | Monaco |
| New Zealand | Republic of Ireland | San Marino |
| Singapore | Ukraine | United Kingdom and Northern Ireland |
| United States of America | Vatican City |
B 90-day on arrival nationals
If you are a passport holder of one of the below countries or territories, your passport will be stamped with a multiple entry 90-day visit visa that's valid for 6 months from the date of issue, and for a stay of 90 days in total. Citizens of the below European countries are also entitled to apply for a pre-arranged visit visa if their 90-day visa on arrival has been fully utilized. To get pre-arranged visa you can use this airport to airport visa change instead of expensive option the in country visa.
| Argentina | Austria | Bahamas Islands |
| Barbados | Belgium | Brazil |
| Bulgaria | Chile | Colombia |
| Costa Rica | Croatia | Cyprus |
| Czech Republic | Denmark | El Salvador |
| Estonia | Finland | France |
| Germany | Greece | Honduras |
| Hungary | Iceland | Italy |
| Kiribati | Latvia | Liechtenstein |
| Lithuania | Luxembourg | Maldives |
| Malta | Montenegro | Nauru |
| Netherlands | Norway | Paraguay |
| Peru | Poland | Portugal |
| Romania | Russian Federation | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| San Marino | Serbia | Seychelles |
| Slovakia | Slovenia | Solomon Islands |
| South Korea | Spain | Sweden |
| Switzerland | Uruguay |
04
Airport to airport visa change procedure?
Currently,airport to airport visa change can only be done in Dubai and Sharjah Airport. The procedure for the airport to airport visa change differs depending on the airport you choose to fly out of. Listed below are the entire details of the procedures in both airports.
Dubai Airport to airport visa change procedure
- 1. Submit all necessary documents(listed above) either by visiting the Arabiers' office or via WhatsApp. Also make the payment either directly or by any of the other approved methods.
- 2. Check the last date of your current visa and decide on the ideal day to do the airport to airport visa change. Arabiers' visa representatives suggest choosing a day on or between Sunday and Wednesday as approval and procedures are fast.
- 3. Make sure to be present at the airport 4 hours before your scheduled flight. Even if you have booked an afternoon flight, you are advised to arrive at the airport by 9.00 am.
- 4. As per your ticket booking, report to the relevant airline counter at Dubai airport.
- 5. Obtain the boarding pass from the airline counter.
- 6. Head over to the immigration counter to get the exit stamp. Try to get a manual stamp on the passport rather than the e-gate.
- 7. Send a clear photo of your boarding pass and exit stamp to the Arabiers' visa consultant handling you.
- 8. Wait at the relevant boarding gate until it's time to board.
- 9. Leave Dubai and arrive at the nearest airport.
- 10. Certain visa change flights (Fly Dubai) flying out of Dubai allow you to remain in the flight until it is time to fly back to Dubai. Whereas some flights (Jazeera Airways) request you to exit the flight and wait at the airport until it is time to return to Dubai.
- 11. You will receive your new e- visa either before or during arrival. Proceed to the immigration counter to receive the entry stamp and do the eye-scan.
- 12. The airport to airport visa change process is complete and you can exit Dubai airport.
Sharjah Airport to airport visa change procedure
- 1. Gather all the necessary documents listed above and submit it by directly visiting the Arabiers' office or by sending a properly scanned soft copy via whatsapp. Also make the payment for the airport to airport visa change package.
- 2. Decide on a suitable day to perform the visa change after checking the last day of your current visa. It is ideal to choose a day between Sunday or Wednesday for quick processing of the new visa.
- 3. Arrive at the Sharjah Airport 4 hours before your scheduled flight. Even if you have scheduled the afternoon flight you are advised to be at the airport by 9.00 am.
- 4. Proceed to the Hala counter which is situated on the first floor of the airport. Show your passport and e-ticket to receive the "OK to accept pax" stamp on your ticket.
- 5. Go to the Air Arabia counter in the Sharjah airport.
- 6. Head to immigration counter for exit procedures. Try your best to obtain the manual exit stamp rather than the e-gate.
- 7. Send a clear photo of your boarding pass and exit stamp to the Arabiers' visa consultant handling you.
- 8. Wait at the suitable boarding gate until it's boarding time.
- 9. Leave Sharjah Airport and land at the nearest airport.
- 10. Air Arabia flights allow you to be seated in the flight until it is time for the flight to return to Sharjah.
- 11. You will receive your new e-visa before or during arrival at Sharjah and proceed to the immigration counter for entry processes and eye-scan.
- 12. The airport to airport visa change process is now complete, you can exit Sharjah airport with some additional time to enjoy UAE.
05
Airport to airport visa change packages & price? visa change package air Arabia & fly dubai airport to airport visa change
Sharjah Airport visa change package with AirArabia flights
1000 AED
1400 AED
Includes
- Hand luggage allowance of 7Kg
- Round ticket in Air Arabia to nearest Gulf country
- Quick processing of UAE visa
- Deposit waiver during departure from Sharjah Airport(depends on nationality)
Dubai Airport visa change package with fly Dubai flights
1100 AED
1500 AED
Includes
- Hand luggage allowance of 7Kg
- Round ticket in Fly Dubai to nearest Gulf Country
- Fast UAE visa processing
- Deposit waiver at departure from Dubai airport depending on the nationality
Dubai Airport visa change package with Jazeera Airways flights
1100 AED
1450 AED
Includes
- Hand luggage allowance of 7Kg
- Round ticket in Jazeera Airways to nearest Gulf Country
- Quick processing of UAE visa
- Deposit waiver at departure from Dubai airport depending on the nationality
06
inside country visa change
This inside country visa change package allows you to extend your UAE visit visa without exiting the country. Why take the time consuming route of leaving the country and flying back in when you have an easier option to get a visa change. Void of lengthy airport stays and travelling to Oman by road, the inside country visa change package is suitable for elderly travelers or those who are lacking the time. Customers can choose to extend with a 30 day or 90 day packages that are priced at an affordable cost. It is required for the applicant to handover the necessary document at least 3 days before their last day. This can be done at the comfort of your hotel room. The applicant doesn't need to leave UAE,visitan airport or cross the border. Inside country visa change for 30 and 90 days can be performed without exit through the current visa sponsor for roughly 2200 to 2400 AED.
07
Visa change through bus
A suitable option for budget travelers who wish to get an extension or anyone who wants to do a status change to their employment visa or tourist visa. It is highly booked by Filipino nationals and Indians in UAE. The package needs to be booked a minimum of 3 working days before the last day of your visa. After your Oman visa has been issued, a seat in a bus heading to Oman will also be booked. The new UAE tourist visa will be processed on the same day or the next day after which you can return to UAE. The Oman visa run is done by going to Khasab or Hatta. If visa processing is delayed you will be able to stay in the accomodation for 1 day without any additional payment. A 10 day Oman visa, bus ticket to Oman, 1 day free stay at Oman and a 30/90 day UAE tourist visa is included in the Oman visa run package. Border fees needs to be paid by the individual during exit.
08
Frequently Asked
It is best if Nigerians don't do this method because it takes 3 to 4 working days for immigration to process the visa applications for Nigerians.
If you are holding a tourist visa,visit visa or on arrival visa then you can opt for a visa change without exit. If you are a resident then you can perform a status change.
Most nationalities don't require a security deposit to be paid at the airport. Certain nationalities might have to make a refundable deposit between 1000 to 1500 AED.
All overstay fines need to be settled at the airport's immigration counter..
No it’s not possible
No, we can handle it
The approval of visas are the decisions of the immigration authorities. In case of visa getting rejected we are not responsible for providing a refund for the charges. If it happens during a visa change by flight, the applicant can be at the airport for a maximum of 48 hours within which they have to book a flight ticket back to their home country.
To apply for a tourist visa you passport needs to be valid for a minimum of six months from travel date.
Yes, you can travel to any Emirate with a valid UAE visa.