UAE DROPS CDN VISA REQUIREMENT

Beginning June 1, 2013, Canadians travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will no longer require a visa in order to enter the country. The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates here in Canada advised of the change this week — http://uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/ca/Content/1175 — after the UAE government announced it was restoring the previous visit entry requirements whereby regular Canadian passport holders will not require a visa to enter the UAE. Canadian passport holders will be granted entry free of charge to the UAE with their visit arrival stamp, again, issued upon arrival in the UAE. No application in advance of travel is necessary. Please know that the Canadian passport will be stamped for 30 days upon arrival. If further stay is required, an application for an extension should be made to the local General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs three days prior to the expiry date. Canadian diplomatic and special passport holders will require a visa to visit the UAE. Commenting on the announcement, Emirates said that it “welcomes the relaxation of visa restrictions for Canadians travelling to the UAE.” And the carrier pointed out that “as of 1 June, 2013, Canadians visiting the United Arab Emirates will not need to obtain visas in advance of arrival; facilitating ease of travel and adding convenience for our passengers. Emirates hometown, Dubai, remains a top business and leisure destination for Canadians and Emirates hopes this change in visa policy signals positive future cooperation between the two nations. http://storify.com/CdnTravelPress/uae-drops-cdn-visa-requirement