A reader from Dubai asks: I am the owner of a contracting company. Currently, I have a shortage of workers and I want to apply for mission visas for a number of workers. Are the procedures for such kind of visas easy and are the visas expensive? Does the holder of a mission visa need a medical test? Is there a fine or ban on the visa holder if the person delays in leaving the UAE? Please advise.

I would like to point out that procedures to get mission visas are faster, and such kind of visas are less expensive and have been found to solve the problem of shortage of workers in many companies.

Companies that have no problems with the Ministry of Labour may apply for mission visas, provided that the person who will hold the mission visa should not have a ban, and such a visa can be given to one who has a visit visa in the UAE.

As for the cost, it is Dh600 with a three-month duration (Dh100 for application, Dh500 upon approval). When the holder of mission visa arrives in the UAE, he will be granted one month to complete the remaining procedures, that is, a medical test and issuance of a card.

In case of failure to complete the said procedures within 30 days, fine for delay will be calculated at Dh500 for every five days. Besides, such a holder should be provided with a bank guarantee by the sponsor.

The said visa can be renewed for three months for a fee of Dh500.

Upon the expiry of the renewal period of the mission visa, the holder has seven days to leave the UAE. In case of delay, Dh500 will be calculated for every five days.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.