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PROs in the UAE clueless on new visa rules

The new system for visas and their respective fees starts today but service personnel dealing with this sector are in the dark about the changes.

Early this week, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced that the new visa regime will amend and streamline the regulations on foreigners’ entry and residence, and will be implemented across the country. These include multiple entry visit permits, reactivation of student visas, permits for medical treatment, conferences and penalties for violators.

“We did not receive any update on this regard; we are waiting for the immigration (to) update their website tomorrow or next week. We keep contacting them but because of the holidays… perhaps we’ll know more by Sunday or Monday,” said Faisal Thariyeri, a PRO for Online Services in Dubai. Faizan Asad, manager of AB Typing Centre in Mussafah in the capital which processes residence and employment visas, said he is also not aware of the changes.

“I don’t know exactly but (maybe) they will increase the visa fees from tomorrow. I heard only from the (newspaper) but I don’t know how much they will increase,” said Asad.

He noted that current residence visa costs Dh250 without deposit but expected that with the new regulation; this may soon include a Dh5,000 deposit that would be refundable upon cancellation. He also expected the cost of employment visa to increase.

“We are visiting the labour ministry website (regularly) and today I checked there is no increment, maybe tomorrow they will apply,” Asad said.

“We heard rumours that it’s going to be more expensive. I haven’t really got information from the authorities,” said Issam Shibly, HR manager of Ramal Hospitality Group in Dubai. The group applies about two to three new employment visas every week following an online process.

He expressed dismay at the possible increase.

“I don’t think any increase is justifiable at this stage as everything is getting expensive in Dubai, especially for businesses that are not doing well and can’t afford to pay the extra fees. I don’t think this is the right time to pay extra fees in our sector in hospitality, the restaurant (business) is doing less than we did last year, they have to consider the level of business that the companies are doing,” he stated.

Mary Thomas, managing director of Bin Moosa Travel in Abu Dhabi, said the change in the visa structure will not affect them since majority of their business is dealing with outbound tourism and only 10 per cent comprises issuing visit visas.

However, she noted that the change in the visa rules, according to newspaper reports, is good for families under dependent visa.

“When the sponsor changes the job and sponsorship, instead of cancelling the visa of his dependents, he can now keep them under his sponsorship by depositing the cash stipulated by Abu Dhabi immigration and get it released after the sponsorship is finalised.”

Adnan Butt, HR consultant with Arcane Marketing Consultants in Dubai, agreed that the amendment on the dependent’s visa is an “excellent” move.

At present, when a sponsor changes job, he has first to cancel his dependents visa, get his new visa and then reapply for his dependents, which is very costly if combined with the visa processing fees, medical and Emirates ID.

“In the past you pay Dh5,000 visa to hold that cancellation, now it will be starting (again) on the 1st of August and I think is excellent,” Butt said.

“You have the peace of mind. You just go to the immigration and apply for the holding of the visa,” he added.

According to the Ministry of Interior, details of the new visa regime, including fee structure will be posted on the ministry’s website (www.moi.gov.ae). It said it will also issue circulars about the new system to all the authorised typing centres.

— olivia@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE