Visa runs continue despite Shaikh Mohammad's order's

On February 11, 2004, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan abolished the law countrywide that required foreign workers to briefly exit the UAE to comply with visa regulations, a day after a Kish Air plane crashed into a residential area near Sharjah airport, killing 43 of the 46 people aboard.

Expatriates who arrive on visitors' visas but later find jobs no longer have to exit and re-enter on new work visas.

On February 10, 2004, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who was then the Dubai Crown Prince, ordered new measures to ensure that there will no longer be any need for people on visit visas, who have been issued work permits, to leave the country to convert them into residence visas.

The new arrangement would cover all professions and nationalities and it was meant to ensure public safety and reduce their burden.

Have you ever done a visa run? What were the problems you faced? Share your experience with us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com