Fees only factor in visit visa renewals - Al Merri

Dubai: All kinds of visit visas can be renewed by paying the necessary fees, according to a senior official from the Ministry of Interior.

The assurance came from Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, director general of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), during a meeting held at the DNRD office in Dubai to allay public concerns about visa renewals.

Maj Gen Al Merri said entry permits and residency laws issued last year had reduced the number of illegals in the country while boosting the tourism sector.

He said the DNRD was committed to supporting Dubai's tourism sector by facilitating the smooth entry and exit of travellers by simplifying procedures and ensuring they had a comfortable stay.

He urged the relevant authorities to work hand in hand to boost Dubai's economy and helping it become the leading commercial hub in the region.

He said the DNRD continued to support the tourism sector in a number of ways most notably by providing a sufficient transition period for tourism companies to implement new laws and issuing exemptions to some agencies promoting tourism in Dubai as and when there were valid reasons.