This was already a minefield, at least for the processing, but now Dubai Immigration and Naturalization, has devised a list of multiple categories to encompass all types of travelers. The reason behind it is that the 'visit visa', which was given on entry for certain countries or bought with the ticket from others e.g. The Philippines, was being abused. People were entering on a visit visa and after the 30 days, going on what is commonly known as a ‘visa run’. This is the exercise of exiting the country to come back in on a new 30 day visit visa... and so it goes on.

This would then fly in the face of employment bans, which is a very emotive subject. The law still states that if anybody leaves their place of employment within the first year, they are liable for an immediate 6 month labor ban. This is purely to do with employment and is separate from an Immigration ban, which is 1 year in length and normally issued for misdemeanors of a serious nature like theft or other punishable offences.

To exploit the 6 month labor ban, many workers would continue working on a 'ban', and just exit the country twice, until the ban was over, and then they could go onto the sponsorship of their new employer.

At this point, it's safe to say that most managerial roles do not initiate a ban if the employee leaves, and there are many great corporations who do not ban staff of any level. This is refreshing, as there are some companies who abuse the rule and threaten to ban people if they resign or ask for a promotion/pay raise.

The contract states the role and most commonly for lower paid staff, the duration of the contract. If the employee breaks that contract at anytime, they are liable for a ban.

The NOC (No Objection Certificate)

The NOC is what is required to 'safely' transfer from one job to another. If you choose to leave a company within the term of your contract, and the employer is happy to let you go, they still have to produce an NOC. This is actually a brief letter stating the employee’s name and passport number, the company's details, or employer’s details (if working for an individual) and clearly wording their agreement to let the employee transfer without a ban to the next employer. This is shown during the visa process, and as long as an NOC is obtained, there is no ban applicable.

The Visa Process

The visa process can be painful, therefore the job is done by a company 'PRO' or public relations officer (but not in the sense of an advertising or marketing role). If it is an individual applying for a visa for a housekeeper, driver etc, there are 'company formation' companies who will do this for a fee. The very brave can go to immigration themselves, but this can be a very long and arduous process as you are passed from one desk to another; to get a signature, pay a deposit, get a translation typed or wait for a stamp. I recommend wholeheartedly using a start-up company, who use their regular contacts at immigration, while you have a coffee!

It has also become common for the individual who's having a visa processed to have to exit the country to go from visit visa status to working visa status again. Previously this could be waived if you paid a fee. It is now also being stipulated that you must fly to your country of origin (for some nationalities) it is not entirely clear which yet. However, most of the time people fly to Doha in Qatar. This is known as a visa run, and is completely legal (at this moment in time.) You fly out to Qatar (around 45 minutes duration), enter the door, do not pass through immigration but go through transit, enter the departure lounge, and come straight back on the same plane which brought you out. It is just a formality for changing visa purposes. You can also drive to another Emirate within the UAE called Hatta and have your passport stamped there - although the point behind that is that you should be driving to the Omani border (but this doesn't seem to be enforced at present.)

Medicals

It is a pre-requisite to have a medical and pass it, before your visa is finally processed. This entails a blood test and chest X-Ray. If you are found to be HIV+ or have Hepatitis C, you will be immediately refused and deported. This is under discussion, but as yet (September 2008) the rule remains. It is also imperative to have valid medical insurance to enter the country, even on a tourist visa.

GCC NATIONALS

Visa requirements for entering Dubai vary greatly between different nationalities and it is always advised to check regulations before traveling. Currently, every nationality entering the UAE needs a visa except citizens of GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) expatriate residents of the GCC (certain nationalities and professions) and British citizens with the right of abode in the UK. The following citizens of Europe also receive visas on arrival : Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Vatican.

In addition, nationals from Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea in Asia, as well as those from the United States of America and Canada also now receive Visas on arrival.

GCC nationals can stay more or less as long they like. British citizens can stay for a month and then apply for a visa for a further two months. European, American, South African and Australian citizens may obtain a visit visa from the UAE embassy in their respective countries before departure. Please note that Israelis and travelers whose Passports bear Israeli stamps will be denied a visa.

OTHER NATIONALS

For all other nationalities, a visa must be applied for before the visitor enters the country either through their respective embassy, a local UAE sponsor or a local hotel.

VISAS THROUGH HOTELS

Tourists can get a visa from a tourist company or a hotel by first making a reservation for at least one night. They must fax/courier the hotel a copy of their passport along with the reason for the visit (tourism is an acceptable reason) and their arrival date. You must also make sure that the hotel faxes you a copy of the visa when it is ready. Airlines may require confirmation (preferably a fax copy of the document) that a visa is held before check-in at the airport. The original is held at Dubai Airport for collection before passport control.

TOURIST VISA

This visa is issued through tourist companies and it is valid for 30 days. You cannot renew it or extend it. If the Visa holder of the tourist visa stays more than the 30 days, that person has to pay a fine per day plus some charges for an out pass.

VISIT VISA

Visa is issued through Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department. It is stamped for 30 days validity but it is valid for 60 days and can be extended for 30 more days by paying some amount. The extension needs to be done before the 60th day. If the visitor stays more than 60 days or more than 90 days (after the extension) they will have to pay a fine per day plus some charges for an out pass.

Certain passport holders can enter the UAE without obtaining a visit visa prior to arrival and stay up to 30 days.

Documents required:

Photocopy of the visitor's passport
Visit Visa Application form, completed and signed by the sponsoring company.
Photocopy of the trade license of the company
A Guarantee letter from the company stating its responsibility for the visitor during his visit.

WORK VISA

These visas are issued for people want who want to work or do business in UAE. The visa is valid for 60 days only, during which time the work residence visa has to be processed. If the person delays in stamping the residence he will pay 25 AED fine for each day.
There are different types of Work visas:

Private companies or Establishments employees (Issued from labor Office)
Servants
Partners
Investors
Governmental institutions and Ministries (Issued from Department of Naturalization and Residency) and the person can only work in governmental institutions.

RESIDENCE VISA

For individuals planning to live in the United Arab Emirates, you have to obtain a residence visa, which is also referred to as an employment visa. A residence visa will be issued by the Immigration department of the emirate you will be staying in and provided to you by your sponsor (the company or person you are working for). If you have entered the country on a visit visa, you can transfer to a residence visa by either re-entering the country or by making the transfer at the Immigration department.

If you are coming to the UAE with family members, you should obtain a family visa, which will allow you to sponsor your parents, spouse, daughters, and sons under the age of 18. Family visas are only possible if you earn more than Dhs. 4,000 (US$ 1,100) a month.

A residence visa is normally issued for 3-years and in order for it to be processed, you will need to take a medical test and obtain a health card. Individuals who test positive for AIDS will not be permitted to obtain a residence visa. A health card costs around Dhs. 300 (US$ 82) and should be renewed yearly. It can be issued at the Ministry of Health or else at a recognized private hospital.

OVERSTAYING

A penalty charge of Dhs. 25 (US$ 7) - Dhs. 100 (US$ 28) per day is imposed on visitors who overstay. If the overstay extends to a significant amount of time, then a court hearing is issued and the judge will decide what penalties will occur.

ISSUING AUTHORITY

The Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) is the sole administrative authority of the Ministry of Interior that deals with issuing visas to foreigners visiting the country. Most visit visas issued in the UAE are issued through Dubai International Airport and are sometime mistakenly referred to as a Dubai visa. The most Dubai visas are issued during the various events sponsored by the Dubai government, including the Dubai Shopping Festival, as the visa requirements are minimized and obtaining a visa is a lot easier.

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