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Stakeholders in the UAE’s private sector were all praise for the government’s decision to grant five-year multi-entry visas to foreigners looking to visit the country.
Business owners, as well as top executives in the hospitality industry, said the new move will not only boost domestic tourism, it will also help local businesses as well, particularly in terms of increasing consumer spending and easing the recruitment process for employers who want to hire new talent from overseas.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced on Monday that visit visas in the UAE will now be issued for five years.
“Today, we change the system of issuing tourist visas in the country, to make the duration of the tourist visa for five years, multiple uses, for all nationalities,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Previously, foreigners visiting the country were previously valid for 30 to 90 days.
Colin Saldanha, managing director of Procreate, said the move will aid companies in scouting for new staff and, at the same time, bring in more tourists to the UAE. Expatriates working in the country will benefit as well since their visiting families will get to visit them more frequently and stay longer in the country.
“As a business owner, I believe this move will aid recruitment, as the added flexibility will make it easier for job seekers to visit the country and explore potential employment options,” Saldanha told Zawya.
“I also benefit on a personal level – as an expat with family based in India, I am happy to know that it will now be even more convenient for relatives and friends to visit,” he added
Antonio Gonzalez, CEO of Sunset Hospitality Group, said that as more tourists come into the country as a result of the new visa policy, the UAE will be able to solidify its status as a global destination.
“People from all over the world will be able to visit the UAE with ease,” he said.
There will also be more potential investors in the UAE’s real estate, added Rohit Sharma, general manager of Citymax Hotel in Bur Dubai. He said they’re expecting to attract more tourist traffic from Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, as well as India, with the new visa.
“This move will encourage expats to invest in real estate, using Dubai and the rest of the UAE as a holiday destination throughout the year,” Sharma told Zawya.
The UAE’s retail sector will benefit as well because the ease of mobility or entry promised by the new visa policy could mean higher footfall traffic in shopping malls and retail outlets.
“This will really help tourists avoid applying for visa again and again to enjoy the luxury shopping, ultra-modern architecture and new attractions [in the UAE],” said Vachani.
Vachani noted that there are many travellers who visit the UAE frequently because they operate a business in the country. “It will be a big relief for them,” said Vachani.
The country welcomes an average of 21 million visitors from all over the world ever year.
As of 2019, the ten biggest source markets for visitors in Dubai are India, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Oman, China, Russia, United States, Germany, Pakistan and the Philippines.
(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Mily Chakrabarty)
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© ZAWYA 2020
