New visa delivery service in Dubai

Sponsors of passengers arriving at Dubai International Airport no longer have to deliver the entry visas themselves, thanks to a new visa delivery service.

The service, set to kick in from July 1, was launched jointly by the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) and Dnata on Sunday.

Applicants, who can deliver the visas themselves to the airport, can save time by paying Dh40 for the visa delivery service (or Dh60 for urgent) when a visa application is approved by DNRD.

“This agreement is an extension of the existing agreement between Dnata and DNRD,” said a spokesperson for Dnata, one of the Middle East's largest travel organisations with 6,500 employees.

Customers for the service get a number for tracking purposes.

The document is secure and the sponsor can rest assured that document will go to the right counter and the person, the official explained.

“Our team is currently working with DNRD on the project. Any increase in fees would be announced separately and would be in line with service enhancements,” the spokesperson added.

The Dubai travel agency will deliver entry permits for residency and visit visa to the airport for collection by the passenger upon landing at Dubai International.

Dnata will also open counters at the DNRD for receiving visas and delivering them at its outlets at the airport.

Dnata has for several years provided a service at Terminal 1 which allows for the lodging, delivery and cancellation of visas.

“This service will make it easier for people that have relatives coming over. But they can also deposit the visas themselves,” the spokesperson said.

Visas have to be deposited at least two to three hours before arrival of the passenger.