UAE issues new entry rules, ends practice of visa-runs

STANDING IN LINE: The new rules are designed to boost tourism but also end the visa-run option. (Getty Images)

Visitors wishing to visit UAE must from now on apply for tourist visas, it was reported on Wednesday.

The new regulations replace the old 'visit' visa option available to citizens of 79 countries, including the sub-continent and most of the Middle East, the UAE daily Gulf News quoted Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al-Merri, Director General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) as saying.

People applying for a visa will have to pay a refundable deposit of 1,000 dirhams ($272) with separate visas issued for, for example, medical treatment or study, the report added.

"We will know why each person is coming here for and the sponsor will be responsible for the visitor. This will address the issue of illegal overstayers," Al-Merri said.

Additionally, the 34 nationalities who were previously able to obtain a free visit visa for 60 days upon arrival in the UAE will now have to pay 100 dirhams for a 30-day visa, according to the new rules, the report added.

The DNRD and the Economic Department met with representatives of hotels, tourist agencies, hospitals and educational institutions on Wednesday to brief them on the new federal visa changes and how they will be implemented.

Visa runs to Kish Island, Oman and other neighbouring countries have also been stopped. People wanting to change their visas must return to their home countries.

"Nobody can now go on these visa runs. We don't want people to get stuck [on these trips]," said Al-Merri.

Visa applicants coming back from any of the neighbouring countries of the UAE will have their applications rejected.

A visit visa will also not be converted into a work visa, Al-Merri said: "Applicants will have to go back to their home country and wait for the work visa, which will be authorised by the Ministry of Labour," he said.

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USER COMMENTS (30 COMMENTS)

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Visit Visa Rules
Posted by gilbert, miami, united state of america on 11 August 2008 at 16:34 UAE time


im not yet come to this country but many of my friends are affected by this new rules, some of them are always visiting this country because of business matters,.. but they are really disappointed.

New Visa Rules
Posted by Anonymous, Dubai, UAE on 11 August 2008 at 15:36 UAE time


It would be appreciated by many if the new law was at least extended so that the spouse could choose their country of origin to either their wife or husbands country of origin. As there are people who have not been to their country of origin in 20 years due to loss of parents and no other family or friends living in their country of origin. They will not even have somewhere to stay while they wait for the visa and their only option will be to stay in a hotel in a country they were born in but have not made a home in and are in fact complete foreigners.

whats the point??
Posted by Taqi Mohammed kabeer, Dubai, UAE on 3 August 2008 at 17:34 UAE time

All our "comments" will make no difference to the "decision-makers",
they are bent on "bending the rules", which we all know for sure will be implemented no matter how much we scream!!!
It's nice to have these "discussion rooms" where we can vent our ire!!

Visit Visa
Posted by jan, pasay, Philippines on 1 August 2008 at 10:23 UAE time

How many people are working in Dubai right now under visit visa?

And will they go back to their country of origin to wait for the proper visa?

Who will pay for the hassle?

The way I see it is businesses will lose money, loose man-hours too much and are they willing to abide by it?

I want to go to dubai to look for work but apparently some other countries are looking more nice already....

VISIT VISA NOT CONVERTED TO WORK VISA
Posted by Salamusasa Ibrahim on 30 July 2008 at 16:36 UAE time

It makes no sense at all, I am a footballer and i have traversed almost all the Continents of the World, i have never seen any Country which changes its immigration rules like UAE. I have always dreamed of playing part of my football carear in UAE especially Dubai. But with these latest rules i will not come to UAE again at least in solidarity with the victims of this latest rules.

Visit Visa
Posted by Randa yacout, Dubai, UAE on 28 July 2008 at 13:43 UAE time

In simple words we have reached the stage where we are told in BOLD letters TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT..
The choice is ours expats !! so it is time to PLAN !!!
They are hurting my investment so I am planning to move my business elsewhere. No hard feelings.

SHOW ALL COMMENTS

New Visa rules
Posted by Rajeev on 28 July 2008 at 11:55 UAE time


It is just a money making machine.

New Rules
Posted by African, Dubai, U.A.E on 28 July 2008 at 09:33 UAE time

I think it is time to wake up and go back home to Africa! To get a visa was very hard earlier on, I can only imagine what it will be like.

Getting a house in Satwa, Jumeira...if you are BLACK is next to impossible.

Listen, I am not playing the race card.... It is so real ..it hurts!!!

Leaving Dubai?
Posted by Saif, Dubai, UAE on 27 July 2008 at 22:43 UAE time

Everytime there is an increase in prices, there is an uproar among the public here and almost all of them talk about going back to their home town? My question: is anybody REALLY going back?? Frankly speaking I don't know of many, but I do know a lot of ppl jumping jobs for huge pay rises. Now coming to the issue of the government increasing the visa charges, I would imagine it's simple economics folks, prices do increase when the demand goes up!

See the outcomes
Posted by Nafees Ahamed, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 27 July 2008 at 14:35 UAE time

When the Government of UAE takes policy decison, they should not only think about the desired results, but also the outcomes - so called the side-effects. The involvement of credible experts in this process in UAE is questionable.

Point of view
Posted by Ville, Dubai, UAE on 27 July 2008 at 13:25 UAE time

I pity most people who have spent much to reach this country to look for a greener pasture, I have been in their shoes long time back.
Thought that people in this country are good – enough to help the less fortunate people who happens to belong to
the third world country. I am on a residence visa, but I feel sad regarding this new rule. The scenario will not help Dubai promote tourism but will discourage people from different countries to go here, because of the sudden imposition of this rule. We have not done anything wrong to this country, we just did the right thing to help our family back home and contribute much to your country, as most of our professionals have been here building your country for a long time. We are a contributor to your success!!

Utter rubbish!
Posted by John, Singapore on 27 July 2008 at 11:08 UAE time


This is just a ploy to get more money... how are they promoting tourism by charging visa when I previously do not have to pay any? Well done! Thanks for helping me to strike off UAE as a place to revisit!
I wonder how qualified and experienced these authorities are when making such decisions. They should seriously humble themselves to learn from other successful nations... like Singapore.

Good for Emirates
Posted by Harry Barracuda, Manama, Bahrain on 27 July 2008 at 10:07 UAE time

Come on people, the airline industry is having a really hard time. This is a simple way to make people buy more tickets. These boys are more cunning than you think....

Visit Visa
Posted by Ann, Dubai on 26 July 2008 at 17:45 UAE time

Shocking! I start work in a few days, so I thought. I will have to go back home (UK) and wait, which could take how long? This will make life difficult for everyone. What is the goverment thinking, they will lose business and people this way, the growth of the UAE could very much decline.

OUTSOURCING COMING TO THE GULF???
Posted by Ahmed, dubai, UAE on 26 July 2008 at 17:33 UAE time

As I see it jobs will be there in the UAE but takers will be too expensive to hire...

And so jobs will go elsewhere instead of people coming over...

mmm.... sounds like... an Outsourcing Party is just about to begin!!!

Locals will be forced to work! .... that'll imply that they'll have to build the burj dubai et al themselves...

Am getting into my tux now... it's time to gate crash this peaking outsourcing party!!

Shortage of employees
Posted by juliet, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 26 July 2008 at 15:53 UAE time


If people in UAE are leaving due to high living costs in Dubai, and incoming people are discouraged to come on visit and look for work...don't you think soon enough Dubai will have labour shortage?

New Visa rules
Posted by Pankaj, dubai, UAE on 26 July 2008 at 14:39 UAE time

Last year two Filipino staff whom we had appointed while on visit had to return to their home country while waiting for their work permits to come through. It cost us a lot of money as we not only gave them return air fare but also some cash to sustain their families while they waited for us to produce their visas.

It is currently illegal to hire someone on a visit and that is good as many companies were exploiting people by making false promises of getting them work visas. However genuine job seekers must be allowed to get temp. "jobseeker" visas without having to pay exhorbitant amounts (up to 2500 Dhs. we hear) to touts and agents.

It should be legal for companies such as ours to try them out for a minimum two weeks (after informing the labour dept) to see if they really know their job. After that work permits should be granted quickly without the need to return to their home countries.

If someone can not land a job in two months then they are either not employable or too choosy. In that case they should go back and return after a two month break. That will make every one think twice or thrice before embarking of a journey to Dubai !!

new visa laws
Posted by Suresh, dubai, UAE on 26 July 2008 at 13:49 UAE time

At last the US/UK visitors are beginning to understand how the others live. Why is Kieran complaining about a 100 Dhs. charge when the British government charges hundreds of pounds for those of us who wish to visit Britain ?

He should consider himself lucky that UAE still gives him a visa on arrival though his government does not reciprocate the favour to UAE nationals !!

It might also sober him up a bit to know that those who are not fortunate enough to get visas on arrival often cough up a couple of thousand dirhams to find some one to give his a visit visa.

visa runs
Posted by Peter Peter, dubai, UAE on 26 July 2008 at 13:36 UAE time

As an Asian Expat I have always been dismayed by the fact that the 33+ nationalities from Europe and other "advanced" countries who are privileged to get a visa on arrival have never been monitored by the authorities for their illegal activities once they enter the UAE.

As a professional with my own business I face daily competition from such people who undercut me in the market as they have the unfair advantage of not having to pay a sponsor, not having to get a license , not having to rent an office etc. and still be in business.

All they have to do is drive to Hatta/Oman border , make a U-Turn and come back and they have another two months of free stay , ad infinitum.

Once upon a time one could not open a bank account or rent a home without a residence visa but all these laws seem to have been relaxed so much that you have people who are living and working here for years without ever having got a residence visa.

The economic department and the immigration authorities need to take serious note of this loop hole and protect those of us who have invested our sweat and blood to build this economy, and get rid of the unscrupulous and greedy people who are only interested in grabbing what they can and have no interest whatsoever in investing in the future of this country.

Like the Filipinos , Indians and others these people should also be forced to return to their country after every visit. Only then will the "real investors" in this country's future survive and thrive.

WE REMEMBER SH.ZAYED AT THIS TIME
Posted by MOHAMMED KALEEMULLAH, DUBAI, U.A.E. on 26 July 2008 at 12:04 UAE time

When the Late Sh. Zayed was in charge he made sure all the sections of society, especially the poor and middle class gets their due rights. He was mostly looking for ways to make the life easy for the expats since he realized how difficult it is for the expats to come away from their roots here, to find a decent living and support family back home. He approved ways to ease the life of expats enabling them to make home away from home. May God rest his soul in peace. He very well understood that Islam instructs people / rulers to make ease for the people and avoid hardships and harrasments. Wish someone with his calibre takes control or at least try to fit in his shoes.

The Straw that broke the camels back - visa charges
Posted by Andy, Ex-Dubai, UAE on 25 July 2008 at 20:47 UAE time

At last, after so many ridiculous price hikes, airline cost rises, rent increases, food price increases, fuel rises, indirect taxes, road tolls, etc etc etc etc, I can confirm that this latest increase has made the decision for us to leave the UAE. A great job, a good life style, but we have to say NO MORE. We have made our minds and there is a nice big world out there to explore. Fortunately we can. Good bye UAE, it was nice knowing you. PS. Our family pass on their regards but won't be coming over from the UK for their bi-annual visit - no more hotels, no more car hire, no more rugby sevens, no more golf, no more desert safaris or nice restaurants. Oh, and no more bad drivers, chaotic road systems, noisy construction sites. This is the straw that broke the camels back.

Charging for Visits
Posted by Kieran, London, UK on 25 July 2008 at 10:49 UAE time


I'm not totally clear on why anyone would think they can "promote tourism" by charging people who could previously visit for nothing, Dhs 100. Having to promote charging for what was previously free as being a good thing must be a marketing director's nightmare.

As to the Work Applicant visa idea. Spot on! To prevent abuse, applicants could be made to submit copies of emails from UAE companies who have agreed to interview them while they are in the country. These should be numerous enough to show that the applicant is serious about looking for work. Or, alternatively, the initial cost could be set very high but a big percentage of the fee could be refundable if converted to a working visa before departure.

New Visa Regulations
Posted by Homa Farley, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. on 25 July 2008 at 08:13 UAE time

I would love to know who thinks of these ridiculous ideas such as the new visa regulations. I am sure that there is someone who goes to bed at night and wakes up in the morning thinking "How can I make life more difficult for the expats".
I hope that the U.A.E. government have considered that, if most of the foreigners who have built this country through hard work and sacrifices, leave this country what a disaster that would be. In a recent poll, 60% of the expats said that they were considering leaving and 28 % said that they were finding life in the U.A.E. very hard. Rent increase, food shortage and price increases, Cost of living soaring, all of these unwanted unsavory changes will no doubt ensure the departure of the hard working expatriates. I hope that the government will re-consider this decision.

EVEN EARLIER Sponsers were responsible
Posted by Waqee, banglore, india on 25 July 2008 at 00:27 UAE time

Even earlier the sponsors were responsible for those who came on their visas, What difference will it make in terms of responsibility now with the new deposit of dhs 1000 ?
I really appreciate the kindness of major al merri that he showed for those 0.00001% of people who get stuck in kish for a couple of days for their next visit visa. Now he wants the other 99.99999% to get 'stuck' & 'wait' for 30 days in their home countires.
The real picture which is ignored or neglected is, if more friends and family members are allowed, specially old aged parents, this will prevent a large sum of money to be send out of UAE, more money is retained in UAE, helping to boost its economy.

It's just getting harder doing business here
Posted by mike, Sharjah on 24 July 2008 at 20:54 UAE time


We've had one of our employees training to get his driver's license for 1 year now. Although he is an able driver, they won't pass him. Now with this new law about the visit visas not converting to employment visa, it's going to get even harder running a business here. We are at a point where we are transferring the bulk of our business to Europe.
All these restriction are good in a way, it makes us think of moving where there is at least some stability in the way things are done and laws don't change on a whim.

Europeon
Posted by Ramzi on 24 July 2008 at 18:12 UAE time

What surprises me is that we always see a lot of new restrictions & rules on all nationalities except the european/US in GCC !!! and the funny part is we are in Arab countries and this privilage should be to Arab nationalities.

Visit Visas NOT Converted into Work Visa
Posted by paul., Dubai, uae. on 24 July 2008 at 16:42 UAE time

So not only do i pay for the visa to employ my new staff, but i also have to send them home first, while i wait for the labour department to clarify wether i can employ these people that i need. Amazing insight into how to make things more awkward for companies to operate here. Did you think this one up over lunch?
Surely a 'job-seeker's visa' would be ideal. You have two months to find a job or you leave!

Work Visas
Posted by Mike, Dubai, UAE on 24 July 2008 at 15:14 UAE time


Agree with Ahmad - recruiting staff is already difficult enough, and this will only make it worse. At the very least, the government should introduce a 'job-seeker's visa' which can be transferred to a full employment visa.

New Visit Policy
Posted by Mohammad Imran Javaid, Sharjah, UAE on 24 July 2008 at 12:51 UAE time

Today I went to Sharjah visa office applying for my sister & mother visa. I was really shocked to know that the Sharjah Government has decided not to issue visa to those persons over 50 years.

My mother living in Pakistan with my sister & brother, Few days back my brother's family gone to England for summer vacations, my sister & mother are alone in pakistan, So I have decided to bring them here (Sharjah) just for one month. But as per new regulations I can bring my Sister here but not my mother. I don't know what is the logic behind the new policy, but the only thing is to mentally disturb. I hope the government will think over it and give benefits to all expatriates.

Visit Visas NOT Converted into Work Visa
Posted by Ahmad, Dubai on 24 July 2008 at 12:22 UAE time


"A visit visa will also not be converted into a work visa, Al-Merri said: "Applicants will have to go back to their home country and wait for the work visa, which will be authorised by the Ministry of Labour," he said"

This is a huge setback. It doesn't make any sense, and is hurting businesses and individuals alike.

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