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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / SWITZERLAND: Short-Stay Visa Waiver Agreement Signed
November 4, 2017
On 31st October 2017, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed an agreement (a “Memorandum of Understanding”) on the short-stay visa waiver for holders of ordinary passports.
As nationals of each country could already travel visa-free to the other, there are likely to be few if any noticeable changes as a result of the agreement.
Background
Since 6th May 2015, an Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the UAE on the short-stay visa waiver has been in force.
Since then, UAE nationals have been allowed to stay in the Schengen Area, including Switzerland, without a visa, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. At the same time, this Agreement also regulates the visa-free entry of EU citizens into the UAE.
However, as Switzerland is not a member of the EU, Swiss citizens could not use this Agreement when traveling to the UAE. However, the UAE has, on a ‘’unilateral’’ basis, for several years, allowed Swiss nationals to travel to the UAE without a visa for up to 90 days in a six-month period.
The two governments have now concluded a bilateral agreement in line with the EU/UAE agreement.
Our Advice
Swiss nationals planning to travel to the UAE should check the latest entry requirements with their Newland Chase immigration specialist.
For advice and information on immigration to the UAE in general, please email us at [email protected].
This information was provided by our sister company, Peregrine Immigration Management.
