The Federal Naturalization and Residency Department (FNRD) of the United Arab Emirates at the weekend announced changes to the visa regime designed to cut down on illegal immigration.
“Visit visas valid for 30 days will cost 500 dirhams. This cannot be renewed. A visitor wishing to stay for an extended period must obtain a visit visa valid for 90 days that costs 1,000 dirhams,” Lt. Gen. Mohammad Salem Al-Khaili, director general of the FNRD was quoted by various regional news providers as announcing.
"A new type of visit visa permitting multiple entries has been introduced. This visa is valid for six months from the date of issuance and a person can stay in the country for 14 days at a stretch," Al Khaili reportedly added.
Among the new types of visa announced on Sunday is the 'mission visa', which allows the visa holder to temporarily work in the UAE, and is valid for a maximum duration of 180 days, at a cost of AED1,800 (such visas will initially be issued for three months at AED600, and then may be renewed for three further months at AED1,200).
The fees for student visas, and permits for those entering the UAE for medical treatment have each been set at AED1,000, with the latter valid for 90 days, and extendable for a further 90 days, at an additional cost of AED500.
A 60-day visit visa can be obtained free of charge on arrival in the UAE by citizens of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
However, the changes to the visa regime have been condemned by the UAE's travel and hospitality industries, as visitors from countries such as Egypt, Syria, Pakistan and India, who comprise a substantial portion of the tourist trade to the UAE, are no longer eligible for tourist visas, and will be forced to pay Dh500 for a one-month visit visa.
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