If you’re applying for a UAE visit visa or entry permit, there’s a new requirement you need to be aware of: the external cover page of your passport must now be submitted as part of your application.
New Rule In Effect
According to a notice seen by KT, it is now mandatory to attach the passport’s external cover page for all entry permit applications, effective immediately.
Applicants must now provide the following:
- Passport copy (main page)
- Clear passport-size photo
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Round-trip flight ticket
- Passport’s external cover page
Amer Centres and Travel Agencies Notified
“This has been added to the requirements since last week,” said one Amer centre representative, as per KT. “We have received notifications from travel agencies regarding this and are now uploading the external cover page along with our application. Another Amer centre executive confirmed the change, saying, “Since then, we have been uploading the external passport cover page for all visit visas and other entry permits on the system. It is not possible to get an entry permit without it now.”
Why the Change?
While authorities have not officially stated the reason for the change, travel experts suggest it’s to avoid confusion around applicants’ nationality. “Sometimes, some applicants give the wrong nationality,” said one travel agent, who did not wish to be identified. “For some passports, it is a little difficult to ascertain the nationality because it is written in really small letters. Having the cover page of the passport will remove ambiguities and help authorities easily ascertain the nationality of the applicant.”
