"Visit visas valid for 30 days will cost Dh500. This cannot be renewed," said Lieutenant General Mohammad Salem Al Khaili, Director-General of Federal Naturalisation and Residency Department.

"If a person wishes to stay for an extended period, he or she must obtain a visa valid for 90 days which costs Dh1,000."

A health insurance policy is mandatory for visitors and a Dh1,000 deposit will be collected by the department before issuing visas.

Residents can apply for the visa for their spouse or blood relatives. Sponsoring other relatives will need the approval of senior officials. Only UAE nationals can sponsor friends.

Multiple entries
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.

"A multiple entry visa has also been introduced. The visa [costing Dh2,000] is valid for six months, but a person can stay in the country only for 14 days at a stretch, " said Al Khaili.

"New types of visas are introduced to keep up with the fastpaced development of the country," he added.

Student visit visas will cost Dh1,000. To obtain this, a person must be registered in one of the universities in the UAE and must obtain health insurance. Additionally a refundable deposit of Dh1000 must be paid.

Those wishing to undergo treatment must take visit visa for treatment purpose that costs Dh1,000 for 90 day duration.

This can be renewed for a similar period at Dh500.

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

One-month long tourist visas will cost Dh100, as before. This may be renewed only once. Transit visas will cost Dh100 while mission visas will cost Dh200.

Apart from the 16 new types of visas, complimentary visit visas could be issued by all government departments free of cost to delegates, dignitaries and others.

By Rayeesa Absal

© Gulf News 2008