UAE Entry Permit Rule Updated: Passport Cover Page Now Mandatory

Passport Cover Page Becomes Required for All Visa Applications

From this month, all travellers must submit a clear copy of their passport’s external cover page when applying for entry permits. The UAE authorities introduced this mandatory requirement to enhance security verification, reduce processing errors, and streamline all visa application procedures.

Travel agencies and Amer centres report immediate implementation, uploading passport cover pages along with photos, hotel bookings, and round-trip ticket copies.

Implications for Different Visa Types

The new rule applies to tourist visas, visit visas, multiple-entry permits, and correction applications across all nationalities without exception, according to official sources. Visa applications submitted without the passport cover page are automatically flagged as incomplete and cannot proceed until the document is uploaded successfully.

Authorities say including the external cover page helps prevent nationality confusion, verifying passport origin quickly, especially when smaller print makes identification challenging for some applicants.

Updated UAE Entry Permit Documentation Checklist

Applicants now must submit passport bio-data page, passport external cover page, recent passport-size photo, confirmed round-trip tickets, and hotel booking confirmations. Where required, travellers must also provide valid travel insurance covering the entire duration of their stay, in compliance with UAE immigration guidelines.

The external cover page confirms passport authenticity, allowing immigration officials to efficiently cross-check origin, reduce ambiguities, and accelerate entry permit approvals for all applicants.