UAE announces visa fee exemptions for tourists during summer

The UAE Cabinet in July approved a decision to exempt dependants under the age of 18 from visa fees during the summer months.

The exemption will stay in effect from July 15 to September 15 every year and is applicable to ‘accompanying dependents of foreign tourists', official news agency WAM reported.

The decision comes as part of efforts to boost tourism into the country.

Earlier this year, as part of sweeping new regulations, the UAE announced that all transit passengers would be granted an exemption from entry fees for the first 48 hours. They can further extend their transit visa for up to 96 hours for a fee of Dhs50 ($14). The visa will be available at express counters in passport control halls.

Last month, the UAE also announced that it would be implementing a new value added tax ( VAT) refund system for tourists.

The system is expected to take effect later this year.

Under efforts to boost the tourism sector, the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman have announced reductions to tourism fees at hotels. The move is hoped to improve the country's competitiveness and reduce pressure on operators.

The UAE has been aggressively marketing itself as a holiday destination internationally. The number of passengers travelling through the country's airports reached 32.8 million during the first quarter of this year, according to WAM.