Visa pacts under review

Dubai: The ministry of foreign affairs has been asked by the Cabinet yesterday to review its reciprocal visa procedures policy in light of "some foreign countries', particularly European," refusal to grant Emiratis the same treatment their nationals get at UAE ports.

"We will negotiate with these countries to facilitate the entry of UAE nationals to those countries," Mohammad Hussain Al Sha'ali, Minister State for for Foreign Affairs told Gulf News yesterday. "We will hopefully find a suitable way to do it."

During the weekly Cabinet session yesterday, chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Sha'ali presented a report on the failure of some foreign countries, particularly members of the European Union, to treat Emiratis in the same way their nationals are being treated by the UAE in visa procedures, WAM reported.

Complaints received

"The Cabinet commissioned the Foreign Ministry to follow up the matter and take appropriate action.

"We receive complaints from UAE citizens and some establishments regarding visa transactions and the stringent terms imposed by those countries on businessmen, students and even patients with urgent cases," Al Sha'ali explained, without specifying those countries.

He said the UAE allows citizens of 34 countries, which include all members of the European Union, to enter the country without entry visas.

"In return we expect the same treatment from those countries. We had earlier spoken to them about the necessity to facilitate the entry of UAE nationals but we have not received a suitable response," he said. He added one way is to treat their citizens the way they treat UAE citizens.

The list: Visa on arrival for 34 nationalities

1. Hong Kong
2. South Korea
3. Singapore
4. Japan
5. Malaysia
6. Brunei
7. United Kingdom
8. France
9. Liechtenstein
10. Germany
11. Holland
12. Belgium
13. Luxembourg
14. Switzerland
15. Austria
16. Sweden
17. Norway
18. Denmark
19. Paraguay
20. Ireland
21. 21 Greece
22. Finland
23. Spain
24. Monaco
25. Vatican
26. Iceland
27. Andorra
28. San Marino
29. Italy
30. Canada
31. USA
32. Australia
33. New Zealand
34. Portugal

What these EU countries have been doing is clearly unfair. If the UAE Government decides to impose the same entry procedures to their nationals, then it is only fair. As the saying goes, 'Whatever you plant is only what you will harvest in return'.
Carmen
Dubai,U.A.E.

I strongly agree with the views of the cabinet. UAE citizens can not be given second class treatment by countries whose citizens receive good treatment in UAE. The attitude of these countries must change.
R Mustafa
Dubai,UAE

UAE is the friendliest of nations and accepting of every one; the UAE nationals really deserve better treatment abroad.
Deepak Menon
Sharjah,UAE

I totally support this move as it is unfair that UAE citizens are requested to produce so many documents when getting visas while Europeans can just get on a flight and walk into any country.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE

As far as I know many countries from the EU still need visa to be issued before arrival.
Helena
Dubai,UAE