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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