Dubai Visa Rules and Procedures: Canadians travel to United Arab Emirates to pay...

Dubai Visa Rules and Procedures: Canadians travel to United Arab Emirates to pay...: "Canadians wishing to travel to the United Arab Emirates will have to pay stiff visa fees of up to C$1,000, C$250 for a 30-day visa,C $500 fo..."

No six-month work ban from January 1, 2011 in UAE

No six-month work ban from January 1, 2011 in UAE: "Expatriate workers can move to new employment without no-objection certificate if they have served out two-year contract.The Ministry of Lab..."

UAE residency visa, labour card validity in the private sector cut to two years from January 2011

New rule to reduce the life of the labour card for all workers and employees in the private sector to come into effect next month. A new decision has been approved to reduce the life of the labour card for all workers and employees in the private sector, to two years from the current three, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

A senior official at the Labour Ministry told Gulf News the rule will be implemented in January 2011. "As the labour card will be for only two years, naturally the residency visa will also be for two years," the official explained.

According to a statement by Humaid Bin Deemas, Acting Director-General of the Ministry of Labour, carried by WAM, "The UAE Cabinet has reduced the validity of labour cards of all categories of people who work in private sector from three years to two years in a bid to regulate the labour market."

The Cabinet decision aims to unify the labour card validity for all work categories to be similar to that of drivers, domestic helpers and other similar categories who are given only two-year labour cards and residence visas by the Department of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, while other professions currently get three-year labour cards and three-year residence visa.

Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Minhali, Assistant Undersecretary at the ministry's Naturalisation and Residency Affairs department told Gulf News the change in the validity of the labour card will impact the expiry date of the residence visa issued to expatriates.

"When we get an application for a residence visa we look at the validity of the labour card issued by the Ministry of Labour; if it is for two years then we will issue a two-year residence visa," he explained.

Significant amendments

He also revealed that the ministry is currently studying significant amendments to the current law which deals with residency and foreigners' affairs.

Bin Deemas said the decision will help private sector employers to "save Dh678 million annually", as ministry statistics show that 70 per cent of labour cards are cancelled before two years have passed.

He said total licence and work permit fees for 2009 were Dh2.25 billion, and that it cost 70 per cent of employers who paid the three-year irretrievable fees, a sum of Dh1.757 billion.However, they could have saved Dh678 million if the cards were valid for two years.

"The decision would also achieve certain flexibility in the relationship between employers and employees; it would give both parties the ability to end the relationship without big losses for the employers and in a way that will not violate the labour laws," he said, adding that for the employees, the decision will help enhance competitiveness and movement in the job market.

Resigning from work when out of UAE

A reader from Dubai asks: This question is on behalf of my sister-in-law who was working in Dubai for five years in the same company. Last November, she went on leave for two weeks and did not come back due to some reasons. She sent her resignation by email after the second week. The company did not respond to her mail. Right now, she is in the Philippines. She doesn’t want to go back to the UAE. Her visa is not yet cancelled by her previous employer. She will be out of UAE for almost six months and her work permit will expire in September. Does she need to send her passport to her previous employer to have it cancelled?

I would like to clarify to the questioner that when she resigned from work while she was outside the country, she has violated the Labour Law especially if her contract is for unlimited period and she notifies the employer. The employee has to work within the notice period and then hand-over his custody. The questioner in this case might lose the end-of-service gratuity. Besides, the employer might request the Ministry of Labour to impose a one-year ban or the questioner might not be able to enter the country once again. Therefore, if the questioner cannot return to the country, she has to send her passport to cancel her sponsorship.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Bounced cheque: How to get your money back

A reader from Dubai asks: I have a cheque towards an amount of money I gave to the cheque issuer six months ago. The said cheque was returned from the bank unpaid for insufficient funds; upon approaching the cheque issuer, he paid me half the amount of the cheque and since then I have been trying with him to get the balance of the amount, however, there is no hope to get the remaining amount. When I told him that I would present the cheque to police, he stated that I cannot do so because: 1- it is written on the reverse of the cheque that I have received half of the cheque amount; therefore such dispute has become before the civil court not the police. 2- I am the one who wrote the full information of the cheque such as the date and amount of the cheque and the cheque issuer has only signed the cheque. Does this mean that I can not present the cheque to the police? Please guide me in this regard.

I would like to clarify to the questioner that he may present the cheque to the police; he can merely inform the police that he has received half of the amount. As for the information written by the questioner in the cheque, this does not prevent the questioner from presenting the cheque and by doing this, the questioner is not considered to be breaking the law.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Notice period

A reader from Dubai asks: I have worked in a company for more than five years on an unlimited contract. Last year, I signed a contract for limited period with the company; presently I am compelled to leave work due to the availability of job with another company. My question is: Am I obliged by law to provide the employer with a month’s notice prior to leaving? What shall I do if I leave work immediately without notice? Am I entitled to transfer to a new company without the need for No Objection Certificate from the sponsor? I completed more than three years with the present sponsor. Please advise and guide me in this regard.

I would like to advise the questioner to not break the limited-period employment contract otherwise he will be against the Labour Law and the employer might apply to the Ministry of Labour for a one-year ban on the questioner.

Also, the questioner might owe the employer an amount equivalent 45 days’ worth of salary if it is proved that the employer had been affected by the termination of such contract. Moreover, the questioner might lose his entitlements including the end-of-service gratuity, excluding the annual leave. Finally, I would tell the questioner that if he is compelled to quit the job, he is not obliged by law to notify the employer since the limited-period contract does not require a notice.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UAE National ID cards - what is going on?

courtesy:7Days

Identity cards - do we need them or not?

That’s the question residents are asking as confusion surrounds access to vital services in the UAE.

Panicked people have flocked to Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) centres across the country this week after the Ministry 

of Interior announced that the cards would be required from now on to access any official services, including registering 

vehicles and opening bank accounts.

However, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) told 7DAYS yesterday it still has not received any official communication from the ministry on the issue and Dubai-based banks were also continuing to allow customers to open accounts without producing an ID card this week.

Ahmad Hashim Al Behroozian, Chief Executive Officer of the Licensing Agency at the RTA, said it was business as usual.

“We will implement any changes only after carefully studying any directives and how it is going to impact our customers,” said Behroozian.

A customer service operator at Emirates NBD said: “You don’t need an identity card to open an account.”

However, an official from the authority at the EIDA office in Karama told 7DAYS: “Government and banking transactions 

will be stopped if people do not show an ID card.”  He added: “Everyone should have one now.”

One person who was waiting to apply for a card in Karama said: “The entire process is too demanding for busy professionals. I am not sure whether it is mandatory to have a card or not. There are different statements on the issue.

My request to authorities is to simplify the process and make it less complicated.”

Despite repeated attempts by 7DAYS over many weeks to gain answers on the ID card situation, no one from EIDA has been available to answer our questions.

***

Frustration grows over new system

Applicants are turned away from Dubai centres

People have been rushing to Emirates Identity Card (EIDA) centres across the UAE amid confusion over whether they immediately require the card to access services.

Long queues have formed at centres nationwide and frustrated folk have been turned away in Dubai and told to return the following day because centre officials cannot deal with the demand.

An Indian man who was at the Karama centre yesterday said he was told to go back there today as there were no appointments available. “It would have been easy if the process had got over in a day. I feel frustrated that I have to come to the centre again and again,” he said.

An official at the centre said people needed to get up early to avoid rush. “7am is the best time to come down here and try to secure an appointment,” he said.

But he also pointed to the EIDA web site and told people to visit there first to get more information on how to apply for an ID card.

“If people don’t get an appointment at one centre, they should approach another one. There are a number of ID centres in Dubai and Sharjah,” said the official.

A Dubai-based public relations officer told 7DAYS she was frustrated that she had been unable to secure an appointment to obtain a card.

“I have tried to get an appointment online, but in vain. I am yet to apply for an ID because of lack of proper information. There should also be more centres for processing applications,” she said.

Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi it was reported that the traffic department had set up a tent equipped with registration devices to allow motorists to sign up for the ID card to help speed up the process so they can then register or renew vehicles immediately by producing a receipt for the card.

Seven identity cards facts

What is the Identity Card?

The ID card is mandatory for each national or expat over the age of 15. It is expected that the ID card will, later, replace all currently applicable other identification means such as labour permit, health card, driving license, etc.

Where can people apply for an ID card?

Enrollment is available through EIDA’s registration centres around the UAE. These centres operate from Sunday to Thursday. 

There is a centre in Karama Central Post Building, next to Dubai Municipality, and one behind Al Rashidiya Council Building. There is also a centre next to Jebel Ali horse racing track or you can visit the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department at Al Jafelia, next to the police station. Maps, opening times and directions are available on the EIDA web site or from the call centres. Each emirate has its own registration centres.

What are the documents required for enrollment?

UAE nationals: Application form and original valid passport, along with an original family book and parent’s family book (optional and aimed at electronically connecting the family tree).

Expats: Application form and a valid original passport including residence visa.

What information does the card contain?

The ID card comes with a personal ID number which is linked to your file. The microchip contains your photo, name, date of birth, gender, nationality, mother’s name, marital status, entry information, fingerprint, an electronic certification for authenti-cation and an e-signature. It also holds the details of your sponsor, and the number and expiry date of your residence permit.

What are the charges for card enrollment?

UAE Nationals, dhs100. Residents dhs100 for a year’s residence, dhs200 for two-year residence, dhs300 for three-year residence. GCC residents, dhs100 per year depending on the chosen period. However, five years is the maximum validity time for the ID card.

 

Does the card expire?

The card is valid for the same length of time as your residency visa, ie one, two or three years.

Can I use the ID card instead of a passport?

Only UAE nationals can use the card to commute between GCC countries without the need for showing a passport.

Kenya resolves visa row with UAE

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 5 - Kenya announced on Wednesday it had finally settled a month-long diplomatic row with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that led to controversial visa rules that blocked non-graduate Kenyans from traveling there.

The move now means that thousands of Kenyan traders can now travel to Dubai, which is a popular business destination for imported consumer goods.

“We have discussed with our counterparts in the UAE and agreed to go back to the status quo and that decision (for Kenyans to possess degrees) has been rescinded,” Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula said.

He told a press conference held in his office at the Ministry headquarters in Nairobi that the issue was resolved after a meeting with his counterparts in Abu Dhabi.

“We held very fruitful discussions, and I am happy to inform you that the requirement for a degree to visit UAE for whatever reasons is waived,” he said.

He added: “It is one of those soft barriers that countries put as gates to their countries but this was, in my estimation, a bit overstretched.”

Mr Wetangula said the decision was punitive for Kenyans “because most of our nationals going to the UAE go there as businessmen… they go there to buy cars, tiles and all they need is money and not a degree.”

The UAE imposed the tough visa rules last month to retaliate against an incident in the Coastal town of Mombasa in early April when four of its nationals were arrested by officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), detained briefly before being deported to Dubai.

Reports suggested at the time that those arrested were people with links to a royal family in the UAE.

The surprise decision by the UAE drew mixed reactions from Kenyans intending to travel to that country and those already working there who urged the government to intervene.

President Mwai Kibaki subsequently dispatched the Foreign Affairs Minister there to meet UAE officials in order to resolve the stalemate.

Mr Wetangula told journalists that Kenyan diplomatic representatives in Abu Dhabi were finalising the issue “and expect everything to be normal by tomorrow (Wednesday).”

“We have discussed the matter and everything is okay now.  Anyone applying for a visa to Dubai and gets a problem should get in touch with my ministry which is always ready to assist,” he said.

Statistics available at the Ministry shows that up to 60,000 or more Kenyans live and work in the UAE while hundreds more travel there on a daily basis for business trips.

Kenyans who work in Dubai are under no threat of losing their jobs

President Mwai Kibaki has now ordered Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula to travel to Dubai and resolve the visa row between the two countries should the mission in Abu Dhabi not sort it out by Friday.

Mr Wetangula assured the country on Wednesday that he was in constant communication with United Arab Emirates officials and was working to have the new requirement for Kenyan visa applicants traveling there to possess degrees scrapped.

The Minister who spent hours in a meeting with the President earlier in the day said that in the last two days he had secured the issuance of pending work permits for Kenyans and renewal of those that had expired.

“I want to give an assurance that Kenyans who work in Dubai are under no threat of losing their jobs. Our mission in Abu Dhabi has been following the matter very successfully,” he said.

The new requirement is a retaliatory move by the United Arab Emirates after Kenyan authorities arrested and deported four of its citizens on suspicion of being terrorists. There were reports that some of the suspects arrested were from a royal family in the UAE.“I don’t want to call this a crisis as it has been referred. It is an incident borne out of another incident which we have overcome by now and we want to move on into the future,” Mr Wetangula said.

It is estimated that over 36,000 Kenyans work in Dubai in the hospitality and construction industries. Thousands others frequent the free port city on business trips. Since the introduction of the new rules dozens of business people have been denied visas to travel there.

Many Kenyans pass through the country while heading to other parts of the world.The Minister confirmed that in the last two weeks two ministers and dozens of Members of Parliament had also been denied visas.

Qatar delays plan to scrap visas on arrival

Qatar's plans to scrap its visa-on-arrival facility for nationals of 33 countries has been delayed.The old system will remain in place despite the Gulf state announcing new rules earlier this month which were set to be introduced on May 1.

Under the regulations, the nationals of 33 countries, including the US, UK and expat residents of the GCC, would have to apply for a visa prior to arrival in Qatar.

But media in Qatar reported on Monday that the move had been delayed after Qatar’s Foreign Ministry received requests from some countries to continue with the old system and allow their nationals time before the new entry visa rules are enforced.

According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), a source at the Consular Affairs Section of the Foreign Ministry said that the requests of these countries were being studied.

“It has, therefore, been decided that the existing visa-on-arrival scheme at the Doha International Airport for the citizens of the 33 countries will remain unchanged,” QNA quoted a senior Foreign Ministry official as saying.

The regulations would have meant that all passengers wishing to travel to Qatar for business purposes will need to have their visas arranged by a local sponsor, via the Ministry of Interior.

UAE Visa renewal fee cannot be deducted from gratuity

A reader in Dubai asks: I’ve been working in a company for over four years. Recently they reduced Dh2,000 from my salary due to bad performance (that is the reason they gave). This prompted me to resign. However, I have 41 days remaining in my annual leave and they just renewed my contract in the June of 2009. I was informed by our public relations officer that the company will deduct the visa renewal fee and health insurance from my end-of-service entitlement. Is this legal? For the health insurance, they made us sign an agreement in October 2009 that if we did not complete the 12 months we have to pay for the remaining months. Regarding the remaining leave, they said it will not be converted to cash as I did not utilise it. Do I have any claim if they do all this?

No, it is illegal and you can complain to the Ministry of Labour to get the entire gratuity plus the compensation.

Questions answered by Advocate Eisa Bin Haider of Bin Haider Advocates & Legal Consultants.

Claming unpaid salary

A reader in Dubai asks: I have been working at an establishment for more than two years. Two months ago, the employer sold the establishment. Since then I have not received my salary. When I claimed my late salaries from the new owner of the establishment, he told me that he agreed with the previous owner that he would not be obliged to pay any late salaries to anyone, except for late salaries incurred from the purchase date of the establishment. He said that I should claim my unpaid salaries from the previous owner of the business but the latter has refused to make such payment. Who is liable at law to pay my late salaries, the previous employer or the new one?

The Article No 126 of the Federal Labour Law No 8 of 1980 states the following: “Where a change occurs in the form or legal status of the establishment, contracts of employment that are valid at the time of the change shall remain in force between the new employer and the workers of the establishment, and their service shall be deemed to be continuous. Both the original employer and the new employer shall be jointly liable for a period of six months for the discharge of any obligations resulting from contracts of employment during the period preceding the change; after the expiry of this period the new employer shall solely bear liability.”

Can I get the ban lifted by paying money?

A reader from Dubai asks: I have worked in a company for more than two years for a salary of Dh6,000. The first period of my employment in the company of six months is not mentioned in the ratified employment contract between me and the Ministry of Labour. I have submitted my resignation, but there is a disagreement between me and the company on the matter of the current salary, the end-of-service gratuity and the said first period of employment. My question here is; how shall I prove before the Ministry of Labour my current salary, which is larger than the amount mentioned in the employment contract? And how shall I prove my joining date in such company? Is the employer entitled to request the ministry to impose a six-month ban on me and can I be exempted from such a ban. Can I get the ban lifted by paying money? Please advise me. Many thanks.

I would like to clarify to the questioner that he may prove his current salary through the bank receipts, which state the deposit of the questioner’s salary in the bank or any letter from the company stating that the company has increased the questioner’s salary. As for the first period of employment for the questioner in the company, the questioner may prove the same through the appointment letter as well as the date of the first salary he received from the company. In connection with the ban, a six-month ban will be imposed on the questioner by the Ministry of Labour since the questioner has not completed three consecutive years with the existing employer. Therefore, a no-objection certificate is required by the questioner to transfer the sponsorship from the existing sponsor so that he can lift the ban.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants

Visa cancellation

A reader from Dubai asks: How much time will be required to resolve the dispute if I approach the Ministry of Labour to cancel my visa, since my employer is refusing to cancel my visa after I gave in my resignation (which he refused to accept) and I will complete my 30 days notice period on September 30, 2010?

If there is no dispute regarding the dues between the questioner and employer, and the questioner is only approaching the Ministry of Labour to cancel his visa upon completion of the notice period, in this case, the cancellation procedures may be completed by the Ministry of Labour within almost two weeks.

- Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Son's visa expires

A reader from Dubai asks:  My son is under my sponsorship. He will be 18 on February 10. His visa expires on April 10. I would like to ask you whether I can renew his residence visa. He is taking his board exam on April 25, here in Dubai. Do I need to cancel his visa?

The questioner will not have any problem with regards to his son’s residence visa. In relation to the visa which expires in February, the questioner’s son has 30 days after the expiry, and when the period of 30 days has lapsed, a new visa may be made for his son if he continues his education within the UAE, and in this event, the new visa will be only for one year to be renewed annually.

Not on company's visa

A reader in Dubai asks: I have worked at a special university affiliated to Knowledge Village for more than three years; I signed an employment contract with the university but my residence was not under the university where I am working presently. I submitted my resignation as a better job opportunity became available with a company in Dubai. I asked the university management to provide me with my end-of-service gratuity, but I was told that I was not entitled to anything and that the university was not responsible for my end-of-service dues on the basis that I was not under the university visa. Is it true that I am not entitled to end-of-service gratuity on the grounds that I am not under the company visa? Is it possible to file a complaint before the Ministry of Labour in this regard? Is it possible to approach the competent labour court to claim my labour rights

The university is related to Knowledge Village and not the Ministry of Labour, but the questioner may not be able to file an official complaint against such a university as Knowledge Village might not enable the questioner to approach the competent court to claim his rights on the grounds that both the questioner and university have acted contrary to law and therefore if the questioner files a complaint before Knowledge Village, both the questioner and university might be subject to accountability by Knowledge Village. Also the questioner cannot file a complaint to the labour court directly unless he obtains a letter from Knowledge Village. Therefore, I would advise the questioner to seek reconciliation with the university and obtain his rights amicably.

Questions answered by Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba of Al Bahar Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Getting To Dubai- Transit / Visit Visa Procedure

The procedures / rules detailed here below are for Information Only and are subject to change without prior notice.
Regulations for visa application: ssport must have minimum 6 months validity at the

1. All photographs are to be recent color photographs. (Polaroid Photographs are not accepted) 
2. Those who are already in the U.A.E cannot get another entry permit until he/she departs from U.A.E. 
3. DNRD working hours are from 8 am to 2 pm. Saturday to Wednesday except public holidays. Thursdays and Fridays are normal weekend holidays.

The Dubai Naturalization & Residency Department (DNRD) issues different types to visas which are listed below.

1- 96 hour visa:

• Issued upon arrival at the airport
• Airline sponsored only
• Applicants should have onward booking
• Should have a minimum of 8 hour transit break

2- Visit visa:

2.1 In case of Personal sponsorship

• Fees: Dhs 100
• Entry permit application form with completed typed data
• Original Marriage certificate and copy of it, in case of wife sponsorship
• Salary Certificate; The monthly salary should not be less than Dhs. 4000 in case of wife sponsorship, and Dhs. 6000 in case of first relatives sponsorship.
• Copy of the Sponsor passport
• Copy of the Sponsored passport.

2.2 In case of Establishments sponsorship

• Fees: Dhs 100
• Entry permit application form with completed typed data
• Establishment card and copy thereof
• Copy of the Sponsored passport.

2.3 Renewal

• Fees: Dhs 100
• Original Entry Permit.

2.4 Extension

• Fees: Dhs. 500
• Original Entry permit
• Extension application form
• Original sponsored passport.

3 - Transit visa

• Fees: Dhs. 120
• Establishment card
• Entry Permit Application form
• Copy of Sponsored passport.

4 - Tourist visa

• Fees: Dhs. 100
• Establishment card
• Statement of tourists data

For further information please contact The Department of Naturalization and Residency [http://www.dnrd.gov.ae].

All visitors except AGCC nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) require a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or tour company. Where travelling, please submit a copy of your passport to the local Hotel or Travel Agent, who will apply for a visa on your behalf.

Health Requirements

No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary, depending upon the situation at the time.

Customs

No customs duty is levied on personal effects entering Dubai. Dubai Duty Free has a sales outlet in the Arrivals Hall (but alcohol may only be purchased on departure).

Visas and Immigration

General Information

Information concerning visa requirements for those wishing to travel to the UAE has been listed below, however visa reulations and costs are subject to change and should always be checked with you travel agent or nearest UAE embassy before travelling (see Useful Addresses for contact details). Do not overstay your visa as this wll result in detention and fines.

VISAS

VISIT VISA UPDATE 31/03/03

The Cabinet has decided to reduce the visit visa period for citizens of 33 countries who are allowed to enter the UAE without a prior visa to one month non-renewable instead of three months. The Cabinet also decided to impose a charge of Dhs100 per visa to be collected on entry to the UAE through land, seaport and airport entry points.

The decision includes citizens from France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Visit Visa

Citizens of the UK (with right of abode in the UK) will be granted a free of charge visit visa on arrival in the UAE: Passports will be stamped with the visit visa as you pass through Immigration at any airport in the UAE. Although the visa may be stamped for 30 days, it entitles the holder to stay in the country for 60 days and may be renewed once for an additional period of 30 days for a fee of Dh500.

Except for citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council who do not require a visa and nationalities automatically entitled to visit visas on entry, all other visitors who wish to stay longer than 14 days in the UAE (see Entry Service Permit below) must obtain a visit visa in advance through a sponsor. The sponsor can be your travel agency, your hotel, the company or department with which you are doing business in the UAE, or an individual (eg. a relative or friend resident in the UAE).

You can pick up this visit visa on arrival at the airport, but there is a fee of Dh100 plus a Dh10 delivery charge for this service. In order to complete your application, your sponsor will require your date of arrival, flight details, and a photocopy of the first few pages of your passport, which should be valid for at least three months.

A hotel will only provide a visa if you are a guest. For an individual to sponsor a visit visa, he or she must earn over Dh4000 per month and hold a valid residence visa. Your visit visa must be deposited at airport immigration one hour before the arrival of your flight. Note that your airline may require evidence (e.g. a photocopy) before departure that a valid visa awaits you on arrival.

Please note that holders of British Overseas Citizens Passport who do not have the right of abode in the UK do need visas to enter the UAE.

Tourist Visa

This special category of visit visa is available for individual tourists from East and West Europe who are not entitled to be issued with a visa on arrival, as well as visitors from Thailand, South Africa and China. The tourist visa, which must be sponsored by hotels and tour operators, entitles its holder to a 30-day stay and is non-renewable. The fee is Dh100, with an additional Dh10 for delivery.

Entry Service Permit

An entry service permit (sometimes referred to as a 14-day stay) is available to businessmen and tourists. The permit must be sponsored by a company or commercial establishment or a hotel licensed to operate within the UAE. The visa, which is non-renewable, is valid for 14 days from the date of issue and the duration of stay is 14 days from date of entry, exclusive of arrival and departure days. There is a fee of Dh120 plus Dh10 delivery charge for obtaining an entry service permit. Allow at least two weeks for processing of the permit.

Transit Visa

If you are flying to or from Europe or the United States, to Asia or Africa and passing through UAE airports, you can obtain a special 96-hour transit visa. You must be sponsored by an airline operating in the UAE and you must have a valid ticket for your onward flight. Your travel documents will be stamped with an entry seal and there is no charge for this visa

Multiple Entry Visa

An option for business visitors who are frequent visitors to the UAE and who have a relationship with a reputable company in the UAE. Valid for six months from date of issue, each visit must not exceed 30 days in total. This visa costs Dh1000. The visitor must enter the UAE on a visit visa and obtain the multiple entry visa while in the country.

German citizens (both tourists and business visitors) may apply to the UAE embassy in Germany for one or two year multiple-entry visa. No sponsor is required. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed three months a year. The visa fee is Dh1500.

US citizens may apply to the UAE embassy in the US for one to ten year multiple-entry visas. A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months per visit.

Documents

To obtain a visa from a UAE embassy, you will need the following:

Passport

2 photographs

Duplicate application form

Letter or fax from the sponsor in the UAE to the embassy concerned

A letter from the applicant's company plus photocopy

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS

- Abu Dhabi

Saeed bin Tahnoon St.

Abu Dhabi

Tel: 02 4462244

- Al Ain

Aditaba Road, near Dubai Islamic Bank, opposite Carrefour supermarket.

Tel: 03 7625555

- Dubai

Department of Naturalization and Residency, Trade Centre Road, near Bur Dubai Police Station

Tel: 04 3980000

- Sharjah

Department for Naturalization and Residence, near General Post Office

Tel: 06 5726777

- Umm al-Qaiwain

Tel: 06 7666419

- Ajman

Tel: 06 7422255

- Ra's as-Khaimah

Tel: 07 2273333