New immigration rules eliminate 'visa trips'

The Ministry of Interior will begin charging expatriates Dh500 to change their visa status in an attempt to control the movement of workers. The new procedure will eliminate "visa trips" to a neighbouring country in order to come back on an employment visa.

Under present rules, those wishing to change sponsors or change their visas from visit (tourist) to employment must leave the UAE and re-enter on the new visa or sponsorship. Immigration Departments will now allow them to change sponsors or visas by paying Dh500 for "Reforming Status" without having to leave.

Immigration departments have been told that changes of status already made under the old system will be accepted, but any new cases will not.

A source at the Dubai Naturalisation and Residence Department said, "Many expatriates have been travelling to the nearest destination such as Kish island to make a quick exit from the country and return within the same day or the follow day to change sponsors or enter with a new visit visa."

The ministry said the new regulations will organise the flow of workers in and out of the country and will reduce the number of illegal immigrants.

Interior Minister Mohammed Saeed Al Badi urged all immigration departments to intensify the crackdown on individuals and fake companies which trade in visas.

Some companies which exist only on paper have been caught selling employment visas. This not only violates the immigration rules, but also the labour law which prohibits working for anyone but the sponsor.