Thankfully Dubai hasn't affected your sarcasm detection skills..

Since no-one answered, maybe I'll reply to myself should anyone search for visa extension in future.

Process was very easy. Go to the immigration department near the Trade Center roundabout. Pay for the parking - take coins :curse:. Go in to the entrance nearest the bank, turn immediately right and walk right to the end to Visit Visas Extensions. Get the visa number updated. Go out to a typing centre, get the application form, pay AED510+whatever the typist chooses to charge, go back to the first desk. They print out an extension sticker, stick it in your passport, and you're done.

Congratulations...I bet you felt as if you had won the lottery.

Put it this way - I was expecting to eat lunch there...

People had posted elsewhere about the process taking over 2 hours. We were in and out in just over 30 mins (and we didn't know what we were doing!).

But it costs 500AEDs! I figured the extension would be free, I'll have to do some recalculating! Would it not be cheaper to do a visa run instead of this extension? hmmm I'll to plan this a bit more than I thought!

but there's a limit to the number of visa runs, no?

Or have i just come full circle?

So says the Gulf News - two visa runs only. What the rules are and what's actually enforced are two different things, but as my other half isn't white and American/Western European, we decided not to risk it.

Mine is, so you're saying that makes a big difference? She's going to be here for 6 months or so then go back home for a few months so I was wondering which is best, 2 visas + extensions or 3 visas with 2 visa runs??

I'm saying I don't know whether it makes a difference, but the risk far outweighed a few hundred dirham for us.

Visa runs are cheaper and don't take a lot more time - since the new law, if enforced, would only apply after two visa runs, it hardly makes sense for you to pay the extension fees.

I think you're right esp as I will have a hire car.

On a related note, when she comes back after next August we will be married so can she then just stay and be sponsered by me even if on my inital visa i didn't?? Not explained that very well but you get my gist!?

As soon as you're married you can sponsor her residency, yes, regardless of the situation before then.

Hire cars dont normally have insurance for Oman.. it costs about 150DHS to insure it when you get to the border.. I did the run about six times, my son did it for 2 years, he got charged every time until he got his own car and insured it himself, they never even asked to see my insurance. Get your company to insure the car for Oman before you go.

Good advice, cheers

you could also just fly up to Muscat with Al jazeera which is damn cheap! then you get a day in Muscat.

you can still get the exension before the visa run...

initial entry - 2 months
extn - 1 month

repeat twice...

9 months total visa-free!