Dubai: There has been some inquiries from the missions of 34 countries about new visa charges, which have not been implemented yet.
Officials from the Interior Ministry were flooded with phone calls yesterday inquiring about the report that nationals from 34 countries will soon have to pay Dh100 for entry into the UAE.
These countries include Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Brunei, the United Kingdom, France, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Paraguay, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, the Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Italy, Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand and Portugal.
"The fee is on hold," said a senior official at the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department. But these nationals will still be charged once the correct mechanism is in place, he said, without saying when that will be implemented.
An American national complained that he used to get a free 60-day visa on arrival.
The visit visa fees for Emiratis visiting some of those 34 countries can exceed Dh500.
An Emirati who applied for a US visa, said he had to go through a lot of hassle to apply. After presenting the papers, he was told that he had to wait for an interview date.
"After more than a week, they called me for the interview. First I had to wait for hours before my turn. When my turn came, they took my fingerprints and then asked me many questions," he said.
Maj Gen Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), also said yesterday urgent visas will no longer be issued. Earlier, people could pay an additional fee of Dh100 and get the visit visa immediately.
After more than a week, they called me for the interview ... I had to wait for hours before my turn."
