The implementation of a new UAE entry visa system, which was announced earlier last week, started on 1st August and includes new fees, as well as regulations implemented across the country’s all seven emirates. The new regime includes fees related to multiple entry visit permits, reactivation of student visas, work visas, permits for medical treatment and conferences and fines for violators.
Foreigners, working in the public sector will have to pay Dh200 per year for their employment visa, while those working for private companies will pay Dh250, according to the new visa fee system introduced by the General Directorates of Residency and Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Interior. The new regulations are applicable to all seven emirates, including the popular for foreign workers Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The Ministry announced that the new fees will be posted within the next few days on their website, but partial information is now published in the semi-official Arabic-language daily Al Ittihad.
Here are some of the new visa fees, according to the newspaper:
- Visa for work in the public sector Dh200
- Investor or business partner visa Dh250
- Visa for domestic helpers working for nationals Dh150
- Visa for domestic helpers working for expatriates Dh200
- Visa for family members of expatriate in the public sector Dh200
- Visa for family members of an investor or business partner Dh250
- Multi-purpose visa for tourist ship crew members Dh200
- Visa for landlords Dh1,100
- Multi-purpose visa for companies Dh2,100
- Visa for expatriates in the private sector of free zone Dh250
- Visa for expatriate residents of other GCC countries Dh200
- Renewal of visa for expatriate residents of GCC countries Dh700
- Long-term business or entertainment visa Dh550
- Long-term multi-purpose business or entertainment visa Dh1,500
- Study or training visa Dh550
- Medical treatment visa Dh550
- Visa for patient’s escort Dh1,400
- Transit Entry Visa Dh100
The visa fee for domestic helpers working for nationals or GCC citizens is Dh150 per year, while those working for expats will pay Dh200 per year. Residence visa for family of an expatriate in the public sector costs Dh200 per year. Families of expats, sponsored by nationals, will pay Dh150, but if they are sponsored by an expat investor or business partner, the fee rises to Dh250.
There will be fines for those who fail to fill in the visa application accurately, worth of Dh100, and individuals who fail to honor the declaration will be fined Dh500. The fine will be Dh2,000 for companies. Companies that don’t adjust the legal status of their sponsored workers on time will have to pay Dh1,000 for each worker. And for failing to report any change in the company’s details to the ministry, they will be fined Dh1,000.
A Dh5,000 fine will be imposed on those who misuse the residency system or submit bogus reports to the residency departments across the country. Repeat offenders within a year will have their fines doubled, not exceeding Dh50,000.
