Emirates launches Online Visa Service

Emirates Airline is aiming to simplify travel to the UAE with the launch of an online visa service for its passengers visiting Dubai for business or leisure.

 The feature - an extension of the online flight booking process at emirates.com - can be accessed by valid Emirates ticket holders from 35 select countries. Only 30-day and 96-hour visit visas to Dubai, UAE are available through the new feature, subject to all pre-requisites being met.

The pre-requisites are defined by Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) as it takes the decision whether to grant the visa or not. A 96-hour visa will cost US$ 44 while a 30-day visa will cost US$ 57. Service fees are applied separately.

Visas are delivered via email within four international working days. Passengers can also continually track the status of their applications online at emirates.com

Richard Vaughan, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide said, “Advancements in aviation are often related to simplifications in the travel process. I’m delighted Emirates is advancing travel convenience by allowing its customers to apply, purchase and track their UAE visa online - another initiative in a series of self-service tools that offer more convenience, flexibility and control to passengers. Taking place from the comfort of one’s home, office or hotel, it requires none of the running around often associated with submitting forms, securing approvals and collecting visas.”

Groups and families stand to gain significantly as the feature accepts multiple requests of up to nine people as long as they are on the same booking.

In its initial phase the facility is being rolled out in 35 countries in the Far East, Indian sub-continent, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. In the second phase, due to roll out in the coming weeks, offline markets will be targeted. These comprise countries that do not have Emirates services, but which connect to nearby gateways of the Dubai-based airline.

Emirates partnered VFS Global to introduce this feature. VFS Global - a part of Switzerland-based Kuoni Travel Group - is a specialist partner for diplomatic missions worldwide, processing over 7 million (contracted) visa applications per year. It operates the Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) in 11 countries. DVPC does not process work visas.

Etihad Airways also recently launched an Online Visa Service

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