UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism has quietly updated the “Entry Requirements” portal on April 13, 2026. The UAE is moving toward the digitization of the visa processing system. All mentions of paper-based visa applications have been removed from the website and the applicants will be directed to the federal ICP Smart Services platform, GDRFA Dubai Portal and airline or hotel visa desks that are already connected to the government systems. Even those visa types that previously had manual paper forms like business visit, remote work and multi-entry tourist visas have been removed.
During such digital shifts, visa agencies like Efficient Tourism can help navigate the visa-process for individual travellers and the corporate mobility teams. Such platforms help the applicants get their visa applications error-free with guided support, live tracking and compliance check linked to ICP and GDRFA platforms.
Before this website was relaunched, the UAE had built a single blockchain based platform that connects the Interior Ministry, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) and the civil aviation system.
The airline agencies can now verify the eligibility of the passengers with a single “unified number” issued to them after the approval of their e-visa. Most airline agencies in the UAE like Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have already shifted to this UID system to clear the passengers before they even reach the airport.
For residents already living in the UAE, the portal also helps recover their Emirates ID while it is being renewed. This is also a big win for the global mobility managers who want live updates directly through ICP API or accredited visa agents. The recorded biometrics like fingerprints and face ID from the traveller’s UID makes it easier for renewals and change-of-status applications with no need to visit an immigration office.
The UID system will eliminate over 2 million in-person counter visits a year. With this the airports get faster too. The Dubai International (DXB) already has 122 biometric smart gates. Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports are also expanding similar systems before the 2026-27 winter travel season.
The General Aviation Authority expects that the new data pipeline will cut the immigration processing time by 30-40 seconds per passenger which is significant for the airports handling huge traffic during peak hours.
The portal will be updated further as the new visa types are introduced like GCC “Grand Tours” that would allow multiple country travel around the seven Gulf countries.
The companies can no longer rely on the paper-based visa applications. They should review their employee relocation and visa policies to ensure their staff uses the updated digital channels. They should also update their employee handbooks. Failing to adapt to the new system may lead to rejected entries or last-minute changes in the itineraries, especially for travellers expecting visa-on-arrival that most countries have removed.
