Foxes

Gettong conflicitng stories from the 2 local papers if UK visitors have to pay or not when entering Dubai...anyone else got confirmation on which is it ?!

from todays National....


From todays gulf news..

niddy

The visa changes do not apply to Western Europeans, Americans, Canadians and other preferrred countries.

Blue Cat

I copied this from EW - it says Brits have to pay 100 dhs for a visa on arrival.


The Ministry of Immigration yesterday announced major changes to a number of different catagories of visas. This will affect both tourists, and those moving to the UAE for residency. Nothing official on the immigration website yet, and media reports are contradictory depending on the source. Terminology is also unclear between "visit visas" and "tourist visas" and what each one means. So far, what seems to be confirmed is:

GENERAL
+ All visitors to the UAE must have valid health insurance. This is can be covered by a travel agency, tour operator, international health insurance schemes will be recognised, or alternatively UAE Immigration can provide health insurance when visas are applied for. No indication how this will be policed - especially for those eligible for visa on arrival.

+ A 1000 dirham deposit is required for all visa applications. This doesn't appear to apply to those who get a visa on arrival - only those who must apply in advance.

+ There are a heap of new visas including 6 month multi entry, festival/exhibition, medical and short term education visas not covered below. Eligibility for these visas has not yet been stated, nor if they will attract the deposit requirments. See the link at the bottom of this post for costs and extensions.

+ Anyone found working without a valid employment visa, will face fines of up to 50,000 dirhams, will be deported and banned from entering the UAE. There will also be harsh penalties for employers.
.

VISA ON ARRIVAL
+ Only nationals from: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, US and Vatican City are eligible for visa's on arrival.

+ Previously, free visa for 60 days upon arrival in the UAE will now have to pay Dh100 for a 30-day visa. It is still issued on arrival (no need to apply in advance) and are valid for single entry only

+ People will no longer be able to go to neighbouring countries to renew their visas, and will have to return to their home country or "distant" countries (not specified which countries are "distant" yet)

+ One extension of 30 days is permitted. It is done incountry (i.e. while your in the UAE still) at a cost of 610 dirhams

+ Visas will no longer be converted to residency or employment visas in the UAE. Individuals wanting to change from a Visit Visa to a residency visa must return to their home country and await their new visa

.
TOURIST/VISIT VISAS
+ The Tourist Visa (some sources callling it a Visit Visa) previously available to only 79 nationalities is now available to all nationationalities.

+ Tourist Visa's MUST be applied for in advance by a registered travel agent or hotel.

+ It is valid for 30 days and can be extended once incountry at a cost of 610 dirhams

.
SHORT/LONG TERM FAMILY VISAS
+ There is a short term (30 day) and long term (90 day) visas that are for people visiting family members in the UAE. Short term costs 610 dirhams, long term 1110 dirhams. There are no extensions available. It is assumed each visa will attract the 1000 dirham deposit as well.

+ The individual residing in the UAE can apply for the visas on their family member's behalf

+ The UAE resident must have a minimum salary to sponsor their family. Sponsor a sibling = minimum salary of dhs5,000; to sponsor wife and children = dhs4,000; and to sponsor other relatives = dhs6,000.

admon

So the visa run is officially dead come the end of July.

They did actually legislate this last year, but it was never enforced for Western expats.. maybe it will happen again but with the specific wording, I doubt it.

So if you live here on a visit visa, its either fly back to 'distant lands' every 30 days, or time to convert the visa.
But even bearing the cost of flights to 'distant lands' the legislation is already there to stop you returning for 30 days before being eligible for another 'tourist visa'.

I honestly think with the fees for tourist visas from europe and the us, they are shooting themselves in the foot in terms of trying to increase tourist numbers.

I come into Dubai from business trips from the Uk and Germany around ten times a year and already the amount of transit passengers coming into dxb airport as opposed to visitors is around 90-95%. Putting fees on visit visas won't encourage people to stop off for a couple of days.

twinkle-star

Does this mean I have to get my visit visa converted NOW into a residence visa sponsored by my hubby or will I have to fly home as its not currently in the process.
What is the deadline on this?

admon

29th July deadline.
It states visit visas cannot be converted to resident visas, a return to home country is required.
Maybe this isn't the same for spousal sponsorship, but I suspect it could be.

twinkle-star

Yikes best get this moving then !!