UAE Bans Expats from Sponsoring Visiting Friends
Abu Dhabi: Only UAE nationals will be allowed to sponsor visitors who are friends, and no expat can sponsor friends to visit UAE as per the new visa rules. Also, all those visiting the UAE will be required to have health insurance once the new visit visa rules are enforced from August 1, according to senior officials.
The new mandate also informs that a refundable deposit of Dh1,000 will be collected by the Federal Naturalization and Residency Department (FNRD) before issuing any type of visit visa. This amount will be refunded once a visitor exits the country, Gulf News reported.
However, the Ministry of Interior is studying the possibility of exempting certain nationalities from paying the deposit, the report said.
“A visit visa will cost Dh500 across all the emirates from August 1,” Lieutenant General Mohammad Salem Al Khaili, Director-General of FNRD, reportedly said.
The change in fee structure comes following a recent Cabinet decision to amend the fee structure for visit visas and introduce new types of visas, said the news portal.
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.
Some 16 types of visit visas have reportedly been defined by the FNRD specifying the reason for visit, such as education, treatment or for participating in an exhibition or conference. Al Khaili said: “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.”
A new type of visit visa permitting multiple entries has been introduced. This visa is valid for six months from the date of issuance and a person can stay in the country for only 14 days at a stretch.
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, Gulf News reported.
(Source: FilipinoTimes.ae)