Below is the new Visa rule that Dubai is starting to implement. As expected a lot of Dubai Filipino workers got irritated. I really don’t have any idea what the Government is aiming to settle with this kind of conclusion. But whatever it is, I hope it is still for the betterment of all expats living in Dubai. Otherwise, it is not worth staying here anymore compared to what it is being conceptualized years back. Let’s see. Things can still change few months from now coz’ I am pretty sure that the Immigration Department will be bombarded with thousand of calls inquiring all about these changes.
Dubai: People of all nationalities can now enter the UAE on a tourist visa under new rules that come into effect from next week, a senior official from the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
Earlier, nationals from 79 countries in the subcontinent, Middle East and elsewhere were not eligible for tourist visas and could come to the UAE only on a visit visa. “The new rules will encourage the tourism sector in the country,” said Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).
Al Merri announced the new rules after a meeting with hotel and tourist agency representatives yesterday. He said travel agencies will no longer be allowed to apply for visit visas. “Now these companies will only be allowed to apply for tourist visas,” he said. “This will regulate the business and make the process of people travelling to the UAE easier and smooth, as tourism is a high priority for us.”
Al Merri reiterated that people should apply only through licensed tourism agencies and hotels. Individuals cannot apply for the tourist visas, he added.
Short trips to the Iranian island of Kish, Oman and other neighbouring countries to change visit visas has also been stopped. “People wanting to apply for a new visit visa after the expiry of their visa, must go back to their home countries or distant countries,” he said. However, Al Merri did not elaborate which countries would be considered distant.
“Nobody can now go on these visa runs. We don’t want people to get stuck [on these trips],” said Al Merri. A visit visa will also not be converted to a work visa, he 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.
No free entry
The new visa rules will come into force from July 29 and all typing centres will get the software for the new online forms and fee payments by July 28, the official said. He added that those who apply before July 29 will be dealt with on the old system.
People applying for any visa will have to pay a refundable deposit of Dh1,000. Separate visas will be issued for various purposes such as medical treatment or studies. “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.
As per the new rules, 34 nationalities who earlier got a free visit visa for 60 days upon arrival in the UAE will now have to pay Dh100 for a 30-day visa.
Rules
–Tourist visas can only be applied for by a licensed hotel or a tourism agency.
–Residents can apply for a visa for their spouse or blood relative.
–Expatriates will no longer be allowed to sponsor friends, and all visitors should have a health insurance cover.
–Medical treatment visas can only be applied through licensed hospitals and clinics.
–Education visas can only be applied by a licensed educational institution.
–Exhibition and conference visas can only be applied for by the organisers.
Do you think the new rule will prove beneficial?
Mars said,
October 2, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hi,
I would like to confirm…No visa run anymore..then how come i heard a friends from dubai that still inviting us to work there and go to oman for visa change..huhuhuh,,,i need help i already paild for my visa and plane ticket…
Mars
usman said,
October 11, 2008 at 10:50 pm
if i am coming on visit visa then can i job in dubai
ces said,
November 5, 2008 at 7:46 pm
“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……………….IS THIS REALLY IMPLEMENTED?since when????I dont thnik ist fair for job seekers…
Mbah said,
November 16, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Hello,Thank you for the good info, but I and other two brothers of mine already pay for our visas and air ticket and we have tourist Visa to come and seek for jobs.How are we going to handle it.is it posible that we can couple?Please Help me
Thanks
Atif said,
November 17, 2008 at 10:41 pm
this is not good policy…..i wanna visit visa and i want to start ma transport bussiness over there.for that i need to stay there.jus 30 dayz is not enough……….plz do somthing….thnx
badfish said,
November 22, 2008 at 7:03 pm
just want to ask about the visa change? do i need to apply for a oman visa to exit in oman?.i just want a exit stamp.thats all….
Ronnie said,
November 30, 2008 at 4:26 pm
hi! i just want to ask something. . . why we filipino’s getting stranded in oman ang iran is it posible to get a tourist visa for not a long time waiting on oman/iran. . . because they said that when immigration tell that you ate more than two time entering uae you will be subjected to wait for one month. . . whats the best thing to do about it. . . plz help tenx
ringo said,
January 7, 2009 at 10:39 am
Now you should find all about before doing any kind of visa this is my advice. Visit or Tourism visas can not be changed to employment visa unless you leave the country for one month from the date of departure, this are the new rules man.
ASIF ASHRAF said,
May 28, 2009 at 2:59 pm
i want a visit for my brother he is 19 years old what is the conditions
Ayaz said,
August 1, 2009 at 1:27 am
Assalaamou’alaikoum.
We are suppose to facilitate or make things easy for people, to me, this seems more complicated.
Dubai is a place where jobs are being offered, the immigration (Mr Merri) suppose to know that 50% of the people entering the country will be under that achievement.
Dubai is a destination for tourist, this means that tourists will not be able to stay more than a month in the UAE.
Please sit and ponder, Dubai is booming, things suppose to get easier for attraction, not difficult where people may tag the UAE as a barbaric country.