News: UAE to launch new visa regime that includes multiple entry visit permits from next month

Within the next few days, all the details of the new visa regime, including fee structure, will be posted on the interior ministry’s website. Starting next month, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs at the Ministry of Interior will implement a new visa regime that includes multiple entry visit permits and reactivation of student visas. The ministry said the technical work of the new visa system has been completed and will be implemented across the country.

"The new system will be implemented across the Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs Directorate centres within the next few days," said Major-General Khalifa Hareb Al Khaili, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the directorate at the ministry.

Within the next few days, he said, all the details of the new visa regime, including fee structure, will be posted on the ministry's website (www.moi.gov.ae).
The ministry will also issue circulars about the new system to all the authorised typing centres.
"We have not received the circular about the new visa system and its fee structure yet. However, we have learnt about the new regulation coming into force very soon. When we get the circular, we will inform our regular clients and display it for our customers," A. Khaleq, an employee of a typing centre based in Hamdan Street, said.

A public relations officer (PRO) of a private company said: "There might be different kinds of visit visas with different length of stay periods under the new system. The fees may also vary according to the type of visas issued. I visited the immigration department ... and queried about this and most people said it would be a more streamlined system with fixed visa fees."
Major-General Al Khaili said the new system comes under the Cabinet's resolution number 22 for the year 2014, which later was approved as decision number 377 for 2014, that streamlines the organisation and development of the services at the naturalisation and residency departments.
Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, issued the ministerial decision, which amended the applicable regulations on foreigners' entry and residence.
Major-General Al Khaili said the approved amendments take into account the quality and development of services, in addition to meeting social requirements and activities in a way that supports various aspects of economic, touristic and social activities.
"The new decision also focuses on violators, which is the key issue in the suggested amendments, as part of an integrated system."
TBW will keep you posted.