Dubai: Applications can be filed starting next Tuesday for new visit visas which were revamped under a Federal ruling last June, a senior residency department official said on Tuesday.
The new fee schedule for the visas, which range from visit visas to visas for medical treatment should have started August 1, according to an earlier announcement, but have been pushed forward due to the weekend holidays.
July 30 is an official government holiday. The rules apply to nationalities who currently have to get sponsorship before arriving in the country.
The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) and the Economic Department will meet with representatives of hotels, tourist agencies, hospitals and educational institutions on Wednesday to brief them on how the changes will be implemented.
Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director-General of DNRD, reiterated the fact that all visitors should have health insurance cover and sponsors have to pay a Dh1,000 refundable deposit.
He said the visit visa holder will be allowed to enter the UAE once within two months from the date of issue of the visa. According to the amendments, there will be 16 new types of visas.
Residents can apply for a visa for their spouse or blood relative. Expatriates will not be allowed to sponsor friends. And sponsoring other blood relatives will require approval of a senior officer.
Under the new rules, expatriates cannot apply for relatives who wish to come to the UAE for medical treatment, only hospitals can.
'No instructions given'
Typing centres still do not have a clue what applications to fill out when new visa rules come into effect.
"We are aware new visa rules will be implemented soon but we are still working on the same old visa and residency applications," said Mohammad, an employee at a typing centre in Jafiliya, Dubai.
"So far everything in our system is the same, including the online fees. So far, we have no instructions on the changes," said Ali at a typing centre in Sharjah.
The Federal authorities announced 16 types of visas and new fees under the revamped rules earlier in June. These include visas for medical treatment to entry visas for students.
Under the rules, expatriates are not allowed to sponsor friends to visit the UAE.
New visa fees in Dhs
- Short Entry (visit) Visa - 500 (1 month)
- Long Entry (visit) Visa - 1,000 (3 months)
- Multiple Entry Visa - 2,000
- Entry Visa for Study - 1,000
- Renewal of Study Visa - 500
- Entry Visa for Medical Treatment - 1,000
- Renewal of Medical Treatment Visa - 500
- Entry Visa for Expos and Conferences - 100
- Tourism Entry Visa - 100
- Renewal of Tourism Visa - 500
- Entry Visa for GCC State Residents - 100
- Renewal of GCC State Resident's Visa - 500
- Entry Visa for GCC State Resident's Companions - 100
- Renewal of GCC State Residents Companions' Visa - 200
- Mission Entry Visa - 200
- Transit Entry Visa - 100
Source: B.A.J.
Are you aware of the new visa rules that are about to be implemented? Do you think this will reduce the illegal employment? How do you see the new system affecting tourism? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to comment.
Your comments
Sounds good and one can have a clear idea of which visa , he want and what are the procedures, good move to control the crowd.
Syed
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: July 23, 2008, 10:00
Ya somewhat it will help to reduce illegal employment. but it will effect tourism a lot.
Faruq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 09:42
I want to know the visa cost now for sponsoring my wife and 2 children permanently. I am currently working in the Jafza free zone.
Stephen
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 09:40
Well the new visa rules are still on the darker side of the wall, would request the government if they could give us some more clear picture then it will help us in all means.
Prakash
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 09:08
Getting a visit visas for relatives has become a very expensive affair. Tourism is not gonna be affected anyways!!!
Shyama
SHJ,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 08:57
I REQUEST THE AUTHORITIES TO RECONSIDER THE VISA FEES FOR THE PARENTS SAME AS BEFORE SO THAT IT IS AFFORDABLE TO CALL OLDER PEOPLE FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS WITH US.
AKBARALI
ALAIN,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 08:56
It will minimize overstaying. The street will be free from wandering people. Images of Dubai or UAE will improve. Air traffic will be lessen, long queue in the supermarkets will decrease, less work for money changers. No more standing in the public buses, taxi will be enough. No more loitering in the public parks. It will lessen littering. Rent will definitely drop to the lowest level.
Alexies
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 08:45
I think there wont be any change in the illegal employment and this is a one more way of making money....Do you read anywhere there is anything on the benefit of people....No....I think everyone will agree with me.....
NIranjan
Dubai,India
Posted: July 23, 2008, 08:28
Nothing was mentioned regarding new visa policies for US citizens.. What's up with that?
Andy
Upland,USA
Posted: July 23, 2008, 08:10
How long a multiple visit visa holder can stay in uae?
Ajmal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 08:09
No way it will reduce Illegal employment, it will make a good business for travel agencies, at least they would have made a separate procedure for sponsoring parents.
Lenin
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 07:55
This process will not reduce illegal employment.
Ahmed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 07:47
It is not clear who is the Applicant. Is it so applicants can apply on arrival? If any one want a visa of the kind which explaining, do he/she need a sponser? If so who are suppose to be the sponsors? Expats cannot be a sponsor. Then, only companies allowed to sponsor or any UAE national can sponsor any visitors?
Jose
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 07:41
All rules of UAE Government are appreciated by us.
But we are in sorrow, how can we change our job because after completion of 3 years parent company is not giving NOC. We would like to request the Government to make a law where we can change the job without ban after completion of limit period.
Shakir
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 07:35
I have read the procedures about the visit visas along with the new rates. I am not clear on the below message from DNRD.
"under the new rules, expatriates cannot apply for relatives who wish to come to the UAE for medical treatment, only hospitals can"
Just need to know that which expats will bring their relatives to UAE. for treatment.
Is the treatment free for those coming here on medical grounds ? are the medicines cheap here than other part of the world?
This sounds something new to me and need more clarifications.
V.N.G
Sharjah.,U.A.E
Posted: July 23, 2008, 07:26
I must admit my confusion concerning the new VISA laws. I don't know if, as a British citizen if I need to arrange a VISA for my family
Andy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 07:21
I think this will reduce the illegal employment. But one thing i disagree is that the expatriates should be allowed to sponsor friends to visit the UAE.
Aparna
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 07:04
.Its very unfair increasing visa fees from 100AED to 1000 for more then one month.
It should have been excluded for parents and blood relatives of expats living here.
Do not people living away from their families should have the convenience to call their loved ones 2-3 times a year.
Not justified at all.
Will be great if fees remain unchanged, at least for parents
sahil
dubai,UAE
Posted: July 23, 2008, 02:26
