New UAE visa rules to affect Indians, Pakistanis

Dubai, Jul 25: New visit visa regulations introduced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government will affect job seekers coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal and the Philippines the most. The Gulf News quoted Umesh Awadramani, Business Development Manager, Careerline recruitment agency, as saying that these nationalities would be particularly affected by the new rules, and warned of labour shortages.

"People coming to look for a job in the UAE from India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Philippines and Bangladesh now won't be able to come - there will be less people from these countries coming to the UAE to look for work," he said. "You need one or two months in hand to really look for a good job. People won't want to spend this money to renew a tourist visa just to get a job," he added.

Nationalities previously visiting the Emirates that were exempt from visa fees will now need to pay a Dirham 1,000 refundable deposit and take out health insurance.

This, say recruitment agencies, will have a negative effect on the UAE's employment market.

On Wednesday, July 23, Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), said the new rules would regulate the market.

"This will regulate the business and make the process of people travelling to the UAE easier and smooth, as tourism is a high priority for us."

Awadramani also said that the new rules would also affect employers and recruitment agencies.

The new visa regulations will be enforced from July 29.

Those found working on a visit visa can be fined more than Dh50,000 and banned from re-entering the UAE. Employers will also face harsh penalties.

ANI