23 November 2008
DUBAI -- Sick of standing in the sun for hours to cross into UAE? Cool down. 'Times of Oman' has just got an assurance that the ordeal is going to end soon.
Travellers passing through Hatta border along the Oman-UAE route during the coming holidays season will experience easier crossing over due to a new system put in place to ease up the checking procedure, assures Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, director of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).
In an exclusive interview to Times of Oman he also said that revamping of the Hatta border crossing was on and that it would be ready by mid-2009.
This will include separate lanes for buses, trucks and private cars. There will be more counters and more personnel to handle travellers.
It is a pressing problem for those going to Dubai from Oman especially during the holidays. Hatta border becomes very crowded and it takes 3-4 hours to go throu-gh all the procedures. Do you have any plans to hasten the process at border?
As a result of mutual collaboration between the two countries, Oman and the UAE, DNRD recently implemented a one-stop system at Hatta crossing called e-border which connects two countries through high security electronic network, part of UAE's overall project to facilitate crossing with the neighbouring countries.
Travellers going to Oman will need to stop only at the Oman checkpoint and same applies to travellers to Dubai, they would need to stop only at the Dubai checkpoint. This new system in place has reduced considerable waiting time as well as paper work. Hatta border crossers reach 180,000 per month. Travellers passing through the Hatta border during the coming holidays season will experience easier crossing due to the temporary new system put in place to ease up the checking procedure.
Al Wajaja border of Oman has good facilities for travellers. Do you have similar plans for Hatta as well?
As we have announced in July, we are revamping Hatta border crossing which will be in its new form by mid-2009. We will offer separate lanes for buses and trucks and separate lanes for private cars. We will offer more counters and more personnel will be able to handle travellers.
What are the new facilities coming up for visitors at Hatta? Can you provide some details?
The project is composed of several detached buildings to facilitate and process the procedures of all people coming from Oman, save time and achieve a smooth flow of activities. The main building on the ground floor includes a rest area, a mosque, and other services. The first floor will be dedicated to DNRD employees. The second building includes insurance companies and an outlet to process travellers' requests. The third building is a canopy that contains five gates to process passport and customs procedures. The fourth building includes a gate to check the completion of all processes for incoming travellers from Oman.
Is there any plan to reduce the current visa charges (RO18) for entering Dubai from Oman in the pipeline as it seems to be an exorbitant price? Has the hike in visa charges deterred people from coming to Dubai? The common complaint around is that while Oman charges only RO3 for those coming to visit, the charge for those entering UAE is so much more.
The DNRD is an executive governmental body that is responsible for the implementation of the rules and regulations of the UAE. And until such time where the various governments decide to set similar fees for entry and exit across the AGCC, we will continue to apply the fees that are set by the UAE and Dubai governments which take into consideration the requirements and fees according to the UAE rules and regulations.
Is it true that the new visa rules state that those who wish to obtain a fresh visit visa to the UAE must leave for one month before being issued another visa? Does it mean anyone from Oman visiting Dubai on a visit visa cannot re-enter for another month after exiting?
According to the new regulation set for visas to the UAE, holders of expired visas must exit the country and can only apply for new visa after one month has passed. However this rule is not applied to those who are residents of the AGCC countries or citizens of 33 nationalities. They are exempt from the regulation and can re-enter through Hatta border without securing a gap of one month between one visit and another.
Are there any new rules visitors from Oman need to be aware of?
Visitors from Oman must have a valid passport and AGCC residence visa valid for 90 days. They can obtain their visas at the border, which is valid for one month and can be extended for one more month at any DNRD offices. Nationals of the 33 countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, the UK, the US and the Vatican City, can obtain their visas at the border free of charge and can renew it for another month. Travellers who do not have AGCC residency cannot enter the country without prior visa application by a UAE-based sponsor. Insurance counters will be available soon on site; however, travellers can obtain their insurance policies from the CBD branch in the proximity.
Tell us about DNRD and its role.
DNRD was established in Dubai in 1971 as a governmental authority working under the umbrella of UAE's Ministry of Interior. It offers its services to nationals and residents. It holds the responsibility of issuing visas, entry permits and passports for national in addition to other issues related to residency in Dubai.
DNRD's main mission is to provide customers with best services that are in-line with international standards, offered in a speedy and professional manner, while taking into consideration simplifying procedures solutions throughout its slogan: "Excellence in Execution, Simplicity in Procedures".
Offering innovative, value-added naturalisation and residency services that will enhance security, stability and sovereignty, and contribute to the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE.
DNRD offers number of services including the issuance of all types of visas, entry permits, passports and residency in Dubai for citizens and residents. Dubai Naturalisation & Residency Department (DNRD) official website is: www.dnrd.ae
Travellers passing through Hatta border along the Oman-UAE route during the coming holidays season will experience easier crossing over due to a new system put in place to ease up the checking procedure, assures Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, director of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).
In an exclusive interview to Times of Oman he also said that revamping of the Hatta border crossing was on and that it would be ready by mid-2009.
This will include separate lanes for buses, trucks and private cars. There will be more counters and more personnel to handle travellers.
It is a pressing problem for those going to Dubai from Oman especially during the holidays. Hatta border becomes very crowded and it takes 3-4 hours to go throu-gh all the procedures. Do you have any plans to hasten the process at border?
As a result of mutual collaboration between the two countries, Oman and the UAE, DNRD recently implemented a one-stop system at Hatta crossing called e-border which connects two countries through high security electronic network, part of UAE's overall project to facilitate crossing with the neighbouring countries.
Travellers going to Oman will need to stop only at the Oman checkpoint and same applies to travellers to Dubai, they would need to stop only at the Dubai checkpoint. This new system in place has reduced considerable waiting time as well as paper work. Hatta border crossers reach 180,000 per month. Travellers passing through the Hatta border during the coming holidays season will experience easier crossing due to the temporary new system put in place to ease up the checking procedure.
Al Wajaja border of Oman has good facilities for travellers. Do you have similar plans for Hatta as well?
As we have announced in July, we are revamping Hatta border crossing which will be in its new form by mid-2009. We will offer separate lanes for buses and trucks and separate lanes for private cars. We will offer more counters and more personnel will be able to handle travellers.
What are the new facilities coming up for visitors at Hatta? Can you provide some details?
The project is composed of several detached buildings to facilitate and process the procedures of all people coming from Oman, save time and achieve a smooth flow of activities. The main building on the ground floor includes a rest area, a mosque, and other services. The first floor will be dedicated to DNRD employees. The second building includes insurance companies and an outlet to process travellers' requests. The third building is a canopy that contains five gates to process passport and customs procedures. The fourth building includes a gate to check the completion of all processes for incoming travellers from Oman.
Is there any plan to reduce the current visa charges (RO18) for entering Dubai from Oman in the pipeline as it seems to be an exorbitant price? Has the hike in visa charges deterred people from coming to Dubai? The common complaint around is that while Oman charges only RO3 for those coming to visit, the charge for those entering UAE is so much more.
The DNRD is an executive governmental body that is responsible for the implementation of the rules and regulations of the UAE. And until such time where the various governments decide to set similar fees for entry and exit across the AGCC, we will continue to apply the fees that are set by the UAE and Dubai governments which take into consideration the requirements and fees according to the UAE rules and regulations.
Is it true that the new visa rules state that those who wish to obtain a fresh visit visa to the UAE must leave for one month before being issued another visa? Does it mean anyone from Oman visiting Dubai on a visit visa cannot re-enter for another month after exiting?
According to the new regulation set for visas to the UAE, holders of expired visas must exit the country and can only apply for new visa after one month has passed. However this rule is not applied to those who are residents of the AGCC countries or citizens of 33 nationalities. They are exempt from the regulation and can re-enter through Hatta border without securing a gap of one month between one visit and another.
Are there any new rules visitors from Oman need to be aware of?
Visitors from Oman must have a valid passport and AGCC residence visa valid for 90 days. They can obtain their visas at the border, which is valid for one month and can be extended for one more month at any DNRD offices. Nationals of the 33 countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, the UK, the US and the Vatican City, can obtain their visas at the border free of charge and can renew it for another month. Travellers who do not have AGCC residency cannot enter the country without prior visa application by a UAE-based sponsor. Insurance counters will be available soon on site; however, travellers can obtain their insurance policies from the CBD branch in the proximity.
Tell us about DNRD and its role.
DNRD was established in Dubai in 1971 as a governmental authority working under the umbrella of UAE's Ministry of Interior. It offers its services to nationals and residents. It holds the responsibility of issuing visas, entry permits and passports for national in addition to other issues related to residency in Dubai.
DNRD's main mission is to provide customers with best services that are in-line with international standards, offered in a speedy and professional manner, while taking into consideration simplifying procedures solutions throughout its slogan: "Excellence in Execution, Simplicity in Procedures".
Offering innovative, value-added naturalisation and residency services that will enhance security, stability and sovereignty, and contribute to the sustainable development of Dubai and the UAE.
DNRD offers number of services including the issuance of all types of visas, entry permits, passports and residency in Dubai for citizens and residents. Dubai Naturalisation & Residency Department (DNRD) official website is: www.dnrd.ae
By Mrudu Naik
© Times of Oman 2008
