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Naturalization law to combat visa violations

ABU DHABI - The recently amended UAE law of naturalization and residency regulating entry of foreign nationals into the country is aimed at fighting violations as well as to tighten controls on visa issuance for individuals and corporate bodies, said Director General of Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Brigadier Nasser Awadh Al Minhali.

The official rejected claims that the new amendments to tourist visa regulations would have impact on tourism.

'Restricting the issuance of tourist (visit) visas for only licensed tourism operators would give them the opportunity to grow and receive all tourists who were coming go the countries via unspecialized bodies or individuals,' he added.

As per the new law, all visitors to the UAE will be required to have health insurance once the new visit visa rules are enforced from August 1, said a senior official.

Also, a Dh1,000 deposit will be collected by the Naturalisation and Residency Department before issuance of any type of visit visa. This will be refunded once a visitor exits the country.

'A visit visa will cost Dh500 across all the emirates from August 1,' Lieutenant General Mohammad Salem Al Khaili, the Director-General of Federal Naturalisation and Residency Department (FNRD) told press conference on Sunday.

Valid for 30 days, residents can apply for visit visas for their spouse or first degree relatives. Sponsoring visitors who are second degree relatives will need the approval of senior officials.

As per the new rule, only UAE nationals will be allowed to sponsor visitors who are friends.

Some 16 types of visit visas have been defined by the FNRD specifying the reason for visit, such as education, treatment or for participating in an exhibition or conference.

Visit visas valid for 30 days will cost Dh500. This cannot be renewed. A person wishing to stay for an extended period must obtain a visit visa valid for 90 days which will cost Dh1,000.

The new types of visit visas are being introduced so that we are able to go hand in hand with the fast paced ongoing development of the country.

Student visit visas, valid for 60 days, will cost Dh1,000. To obtain this, a person must be registered in one of the universities in the UAE.

Those wishing to undergo treatment must take visit visa for treatment purpose which will cost Dh1,000 for 90 days. This can be renewed for a similar period for Dh500.

Those visiting to attend conferences or exhibitions can obtain a visa for Dh100.

One-month-long tourist visas, procured by tour operators and hotels will cost Dh100, as before. This may be renewed only once. Transit visas will cost Dh100 while mission visas will cost Dh200.

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