Abu Dhabi will start issuing new four-day, or 96-hour, transit visa for all nationalities travelling through Abu Dhabi International Airport.

 

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, announced today the launch of 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 is located at the Terminal 3 transit area at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

 

The Dh300-visa can be used by passengers with planned trips from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), or with intermediate flights through Abu Dhabi en route to their destination if their layover exceeds four hours. The transit visa can be applied for both at the new visa counter on arrival, or through the online designated portal, provided passengers meet the application criteria. Travellers can also request to change their transit visa to a tourist visa at the airport if they are planning to extend their stay in the capital. 

 

The launch of the new visa counter is part of the Life in Abu Dhabi initiative, in support of the Enriching Tourist Experience. Established in May 2017 as part of the Government Services Office at Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Life in Abu Dhabi is an annual gathering aimed at developing a number of public sector services for the government of Abu Dhabi.

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. This project is being jointly implemented by several parties including Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Abu Dhabi Airports, General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs - Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways and Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi.

 

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.

 

He said: “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.”

 

The move is expected to drive an increase in the number of hotel guests from around the world to all three regions of Abu Dhabi. October 2017 figures revealed an 18 per cent increase in visitor numbers compared to the same month last year, with 418,883 domestic and international visitors checking in to one of the Emirate’s 163 hotels or hotel apartments. 

 

October’s rise has maintained the Emirate’s eight per cent increase over the year in terms of the numbers of hotel guests, and this number is on track to surpass the 2016 total of 4.4 million guests. 

 

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways Executive Vice President – Commercial, said: “Etihad Airways’ mandate is to promote and support Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030, and that means raising the city’s profile on the world stage as a leading leisure and cultural destination, which has recently been greatly enhanced by the opening of the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi museum.

 

 “The new transit visa is a great initiative for the emirate and for visitors, as now everyone is able to take advantage of Etihad Airways’ unique stopover offers, which feature a range of benefits including at least one night’s accommodation for any guest transiting through Abu Dhabi. This is a great way for visitors to create a ‘holiday within a holiday’, or simply break a long trip with a relaxing city break and enjoy the many attractions Abu Dhabi has to offer.”

 

Etihad Airways’ popular stopover programme is a perfect option for travellers on a 96-hour transit visa, providing great deals on hotels and various activities around Abu Dhabi. 

 

Guests who wish to take advantage of the stopover programme can book a two-night stay from a choice of over 60 participating hotels in Abu Dhabi, and will receive the second night free. Business Class guests receive a complimentary night’s stay, while First Class guests receive two free nights.

 

Etihad Airways’ guests flying in The Residence cabin onboard the airline’s flagship Airbus A380 will be treated to two complimentary nights at the luxurious Emirates Palace hotel during their stopover.

Previously, the transit visa was only available for citizens of certain countries while other passengers had to apply though the official channels prior to their arrival to the capital. The transit visa cost was also reduced to Dh300 thus enabling more passengers to explore Abu Dhabi and enjoy its top attractions. Travellers can also request to change their transit visa to tourist visa if they are planning to extend their stay in the capital.  – TradeArabia News Service