UAE Announces Major Passport Rule Change

UAE announces 10-year validity of passports for citizens

Following a Cabinet decision, it was announced that Emirati passports for citizens over the age of 21 would be valid for 10 years, up from the current five-year spell.

UAE passport rules

Sheikh Mohammed said the Cabinet approved amendments on the executive regulations of the federal law on citizenship and passports at the meeting on Monday, March 18.

He said: “We approved extending the validity period of the UAE passport from five to 10 years for Emiratis aged 21 and above.

“The new amendments include further facilitations and comprehensive digital services to be provided by the relevant authorities.”

The announcement came following a wide-ranging Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi, which also covered mandatory health insurance updates and the removal of harmful content online among other subjects.  

About The Author

Benjamin Wallace-Wells

Benjamin Wallace-Wells is a staff writer at the The New Yorker since 2006. He worked for New York magazine, the Times Magazine, and Rolling Stone.

See author's posts