Devised to contain illegal migration, a new visa regime was introduced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, July 29. As many as 16 varied categories of visas and health insurance have been made mandatory under this new system for all visa types. The new visa regime in UAE will permit visitors of all nationalities.

Speaking on this issue, the deputy director of the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD), Obaid Moheir Bin Suroor, said, ‘The entry permits will become more diversified and will include long and short term visit visas and new types of visas for festivals, tourism, medical treatment, conferences and educational category.’

Applicants, however, will be expected to make a refundable deposit of thousand dirhams equivalent to $272.4 for all visa types from now on. The passport of the person applying for visa, his / her data including the address in home country and health insurance will be needed during the application of visa.  

Bin Suroor also emphasized on the significance of fixing a photo of the person applying for the visa to ensure accuracy and thus avoid rejection. The new visa regime in UAE will also see the introduction of new fees for new visa categories.  The UAE authorities expect the region to become free of illegal residents by this year’s December with the coming of effect of the new visa regime.