Sunday 19 July 2009

New procedure for UAE visit visas from 1st August 2009

Beginning next Tuesday, applications will be filed for new visit visas which were revamped under a Federal ruling last June, revealed an official at senior residency department.

The new fee schedule for visas ranging from visit visas to medical treatment visas, which should have been effective from 1st August, has been postponed due to the weekend holidays (30th July is an official government holiday). The rules are applicable to nationalites, requiring sponsorship for arriving in the country.

The DNRD (Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department) and the Economic Department will meet with representatives of tourist agencies, hotels, educational institutions and hospitals on Wednesday to brief them regarding the implementation of changes.

The Director-General of DNRD, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, has reiterated the fact that visitors should hold health insurance coverage, while the sponsors will have to pay a refundable deposit of Dh.1000.

The Visit visa holder will be permitted to enter UAE once in two months from the date of issuance of visa. As per the amendments, there will be 16 new types of visas.

Residents can seek visas for their spouse or blood relative. Expatriates will not be permitted to sponsor friends, while sponsoring blood relative will need prior permission of a senior officer.

As per the new regulations expatriates will not be eligible to apply for relatives seeking to enter UAE for any medical treatment. Only hospitals are allowed to do this.

New Visa Fees are as follows (in Dirrhams)
Short Entry (visit) Visa - 500 (1 month)
Long Entry (visit) Visa - 1,000 (3 months)
Multiple Entry Visa - 2,000
Entry Visa for Study - 1,000
Renewal of Study Visa - 500
Entry Visa for Medical Treatment - 1,000
Renewal of Medical Treatment Visa - 500
Entry Visa for Expos and Conferences - 100
Tourism Entry Visa - 100
Renewal of Tourism Visa - 500
Entry Visa for GCC State Residents - 100
Renewal of GCC State Resident's Visa - 500
Entry Visa for GCC State Resident's Companions - 100
Renewal of GCC State Residents Companions' Visa - 200
Mission Entry Visa - 200
Transit Entry Visa - 100