The UAE have introduced a new rule stating that people of all nationalities are no longer required to leave the country in order to change their visas to residency permits.

In the UAE on a short term or visit visa and found a job? Well, instead of having to cross the border, you can now convert your visa to a residency permit by paying a fee from within the UAE.

Brigadier Dr Rashid Sultan Al Kadhar, spokesperson for the UAE Ministry of Interior, told Gulf News: “Customers will be able to amend the status of their entry permits electronically through a few quick and user-friendly steps. As a result, visitors will not need to leave the country, instead updating their visa status and paying all the necessary fees while in the UAE.

“All companies and visitors should submit applications and transactions before the expiry date of the visa period to avoid violations. The immigration services will be provided at all UAE port of entries and immigration offices.”

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The new rule applies to all entry permits, including 14-day transit visas, one month short-term visas and the three month long term visit visas, as well as student visas, medical visas and residence visas. There will be a fee for the process, which we have yet to have confirmed, but has been reported as Dhs570.

Deputy Director of General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs in Dubai, Obaid bin Suroor has stated that this new decision will be implemented by all immigration departments.

So if you were due a trip to Oman in the next few days after getting a job here, this may save you a lot of time (and petrol).

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*Correction: This story previously stated that you could extend a visit visa for a short period of time without leaving the country. The Ministry of Interior have told us this is not the case, despite being widely reported. The new update from the Ministry only means that all nationalities can transfer from a visit visa to a residency visa without leaving the country.