During the first Cabinet meeting of 2020, the “Year of Preparation,” the UAE leadership has approved the issuance of five-year, multiple tourist visas, which could be availed by all nationalities visiting the country.
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The meeting was chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. This latest move aims to boost the country’s tourism economy and further boost its position as a global tourist destination.
UAE Cabinet Approves 5-year, Multi-Entry Tourist Visa
The Cabinet meeting was held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. It was attended by HH Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, among other key leaders and officials.
“We are leaving this year [2019] behind and we are proud of our government working teams, and we are full of excitement and positive energy for the year of preparation for the next fifty years to come,” HH Sheikh Mohammed declared, as cited by WAM News Agency.
اعتمدنا اليوم تغيير نظام التأشيرات السياحية في الدولة .. لتكون مدة تأشيرة السياحة خمسة أعوام متعددة الاستخدام .. لكافة الجنسيات .. نستقبل اكثر من ٢١ مليون سائح سنويا وهدفنا ترسيخ الدولة كوجهة سياحية عالمية رئيسية .. pic.twitter.com/C4s26JjUE5
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 6, 2020
“We challenge our government and Federal teams for the next 50 years,” he stated. “The year 2020 leaves behind 50 years of achievements, and welcomes 50 years of perseverance and hard work in the service of the nation and its citizens.”
Aside from approving the five-year multiple entry tourist visa, the Cabinet has also approved the introduction of a visa waiver for Mexican citizens traveling to the UAE. Both visa decisions shall be implemented during the first quarter of this year.
During the meeting, the Cabinet reviewed the country’s 2019 achievements, including the granting of more than 2,500 golden cards to qualified investors, as well as people with outstanding qualifications — thus enabling them to become part of the UAE’s success story.
What’s more, the Cabinet has also made the following decisions:
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- Establishment of Air Arabia Abu Dhabi as a national carrier airline for the UAE;
- Establishment of the National Centre for Health Research;
- Establishment of a committee for medical liability in all health entities;
- Establishment of the National Cancer Registry;
- Approval of a resolution on the implementing law amending Federal law No. 19 of 2016 on Combating Commercial Fraud;
- Approval of the UAE System for Monitoring Solar Energy Products,
- Approval of a draft federal law on pesticides; and
- Restructuring of the Board of Directors of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and the Education and Human Resources Council.
Notably, the Cabinet has also agreed that Abu Dhabi will be hosting the 2020 General Assembly Meetings of the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation.
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Further information about the new visa rules will be revealed soon, so let us stay tuned! In any case, all of these changes in the UAE visa system will definitely boost travel and tourism in the emirates, especially since Expo 2020 Dubai is happening very soon!