Abu Dhabi: A new visa fee and fine structure will take effect from August 1, according to a Cabinet decision published in the latest edition of the official gazette.
The new measures will include the issuing of a new array of entry permits and visas, such as multiple entry permits for visit or work; the activation of study visas, and entry permits for medical care and attending conferences.
A Dh5,000 refundable deposit will be collected for cancelling a sponsor’s residence visa without cancelling the visas of the sponsored family members, according to the decision signed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The deposit will be refunded once the sponsor adjusts their status.
A Dh3,000 refundable deposit will be collected for sponsorship of each family member for a female investor, while a Dh5,000 refundable deposit will be collected for humanitarian cases determined by the Minister of the Interior.
The new Cabinet decision sets up a fund for the deportation of violators of the residency rules. Resources for the fund will come from deposits encashed after applicants fail to honour their obligations under the law.
Bogus reports
A Dh100 fine will be imposed on users of residency department portals who fail to fill in applications accurately, according to the new rules.
Individual applicants who fail to honour any declaration or affidavit will be fined Dh500, while in the case of a corporate applicant the fine will be Dh2,000.
Companies that fail to adjust the legal status of their sponsored workers on time will be fined Dh1,000 for each worker, while failure to report any change in the company’s details to the ministry will cost Dh1,000.
A Dh5,000 fine will be imposed on those who misuse the residency system or submit bogus reports to the residency departments across the country.
Repeat offenders within a year will have their fines doubled, not exceeding Dh50,000.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at the Ministry of Interior said it had completed its technical and services preparation to ensure flexible implementation of the new visa and fees system across the naturalisation, residency and ports affairs sector.
The system will be effective from August 1, by virtue of the Cabinet’s resolution number 22 of 2014, regarding the organisation and development of the services at the ministry’s naturalisation, residency and ports affairs sector.
Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, issued the ministerial decision number 377 for 2014, which amended the applicable regulations on foreigners’ entry and residence. The ministry said the new visa fees will be published within the next few days on its website moi.gov.ae.
Major General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior for Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs, said a new array of entry permits and visas will be issued, including multiple entry permits for visit or work; the activation of study visas, and entry permits for medical care and attending conferences.
