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UAE introduces Tourist Visa for nationals of all countries

Visitors of all nationalities will now be allowed to enter UAE on a tourist visa under new rules that come into force from July 29. The announcement of the new rules was made by Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General, Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) after a meeting with hotel and tourist agency representatives yesterday. Currently, nationals of 79 countries including India are not eligible for Tourist Visas and can visit UAE only on a Visit Visa.

According to a senior official from the Interior Ministry of UAE, the new visa comes into force from next week and all typing centres will get the software for the new online forms and fee payments by July 28. The official informed that those who apply before July 29 will be dealt with on the old system. Those applying for any visa will have to pay a refundable deposit of Dirhams 1,000. Separate visas will be issued for various purposes such as medical treatment or studies. As per the new rules, 34 nationalities that earlier got a free visit visa for 60 days upon arrival in the UAE will now have to pay Dirhams 100 for a 30-day visa.

“The new rules will encourage the tourism sector in the country. Travel agencies will no longer be allowed to apply for Visit Visas. They will only be allowed to apply for Tourist Visas. This will regulate the business and make the process of people travelling to UAE easier and smooth, as tourism is a high priority for us. We will know why each person is coming here and the sponsor will be responsible for the visitor. This will address the issue of those who over stay illegally,” said Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General, Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).

Al Merri reiterated that people should apply only through licensed tourism agencies and hotels. Individuals cannot apply for the Tourist Visas.

Short trips to the Iranian island of Kish, Oman and other neighbouring countries to change Visit Visas to Resident Visas have also been stopped. "People wanting to apply for a new Visit Visa after the expiry of their visa, must go back to their home country or a distant country. Nobody can now go on visa runs. We don't want people to get stuck (on these trips). A Visit Visa will also not be converted to a Work Visa. Applicants will have to go back to their home country and wait for the Work Visa, which will be authorised by the Ministry of Labour," said Al Merri.

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