Visa runs still allowed in Dubai

DUBAI // Officials at the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) made further clarifications tonight to new visa rules that will come into effect on Tuesday. The 33 nationalities currently exempt from requiring visas before travelling will be largely unaffected and will still be allowed to do "visa runs", in which expatriates without residency visas cross into Oman and then return to renew their visitor visas, officials said.
People from countries that are not exempt from requiring visas before travelling will have to reapply through a registered tourist company. Entry permits for citizens of the 33 exempt countries can only be renewed for an additional period of 30 days for a cost of Dh620. A tourist visa for residents from the other countries, such as India, Pakistan and Russia, must be issued through a tourist company or through their friends or relatives currently in the UAE and who can apply on their behalf at any DNRD office.
The tourist visa is valid for 30 days from the date of entry, renewable once, for a period of 30 days at the charge of Dh610 if processed online and Dh620, if submitted at any DNRD office. Earlier this week, immigration officials pleaded for patience as "glitches" with the new system were ironed out.
eharnan@thenational.ae