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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai has issued a reminder that all documents submitted in support of visa applications must be submitted in Arabic.
What does the change mean? Documents in English or any language other than Arabic are no longer accepted. The policy applies to all applications submitted in Dubai. Any documents originally in a language other than Arabic must be translated and certified.
Background: Arabic translation of supporting documents has been a long-standing requirement in Abu Dhabi. Until recently, authorities in Dubai would accept documents in English, but beginning in 2017, the policy began to change, especially for dependent visa applications. The Arabic-only policy is now being applied to all applications submitted in Dubai.
Analysis & Comments: To avoid delays in processing, employers and visa applicants should prepare to have all supporting documents translated into Arabic by a legal translator before they are submitted.
Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.
What is the change? Abu Dhabi authorities are increasingly rejecting or questioning supporting documents that are issued in Dubai or other emirates for foreign nationals who are applying for dependent visas. They will review submissions on a case-by-case basis and may request additional supporting documents or personal appearance of the sponsor.
What does the change mean? For new dependent visa applications, supporting documents should be issued by Abu Dhabi (for example, Tawtheeq, which regulates tenancy contracts, and Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, a water and electricity provider). For renewal of dependent visas, although Dubai-issued supporting documents are still being accepted, documents issued by Abu Dhabi are preferred; the policy is expected to change to one where authorities are less likely to accept Dubai-issued documents.
Analysis & Comments: Employers and expatriate employees should be aware that if they live in Dubai and submit a Dubai tenancy agreement in support of a dependent visa application, there is a high likelihood that Abu Dhabi authorities will require additional supporting evidence or reject the application. Although the policy is not absolute, it will have a widespread impact, as it is very common for expatriates to live in one emirate and work in another.
Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, for purposes London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.
What is the change? Travelers are now required to obtain permission to bring prescription medicine to the United Arab Emirates.
What does the change mean? Travelers must fill out a form online before bringing medicine to the UAE. They will be asked to upload supporting documentation, including a health report, prescription, the duration of their stay and passport or Emirates ID information. Medicine that is not declared prior to travel may be confiscated at the airport.
Background: The ministry instituted the change in October as part of its effort to enhance community health. The new rules apply to narcotics, psychotropic and controlled medicines. Travelers will generally not be required to obtain permission to bring over-the-counter medicine, provided it is for personal use.
Analysis & Comments: Travelers must be sure to seek and receive preapproval to bring any prescription medicine to the UAE. Those who fail to do so risk serious travel delays or even prosecution under UAE law. Anyone with questions about what medicines must be declared should contact their immigration professional.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
What is the change? The United Arab Emirates has implemented key visa reforms.
What does the change mean? Under rules that took effect in October, visitors are allowed to extend visit visas without leaving the UAE, children of foreign workers are eligible for visas after completing university or secondary school, and widows and divorced women may receive one-year residence permits from the time of their divorce or the death of their husband.
Background: The changes were announced earlier this year and took effect Oct. 21. In each case, the changes ease processes for foreign nationals who, under old rules, would have been required to leave the UAE. Key changes:
Analysis & Comments: The changes are designed to ease visa and residence processes and will benefit visitors to the UAE, students and women who are divorced or widowed.
What is the change? UAE immigration offices will be closed for a four-day weekend, Nov. 30-Dec. 3, as the country observes UAE National Day.
What does the change mean? Offices will reopen Dec. 4. Applicants should account for the closure and expect delays.
Background: UAE National Day is a national holiday celebrated on Dec. 2 to commemorate the federal unification of the seven emirates. In observance of the holiday, nationwide celebrations and government office closures are planned.
Analysis & Comments: In addition to the immigration office closures, applicants should check holiday observances for embassies and consulates, as they may vary depending on location. Employers should anticipate delays and submit applications before the holidays if possible.
The United Arab Emirates has unveiled two new policies aimed at strengthening the economy by encouraging local employment while attracting and retaining wealthy expatriates.
Analysis & Comments: The changes come among a raft of reforms aimed at spurring economic growth during the current slump. The Emiratization pilot program will provide private-sector job opportunities for locals, especially the UAE’s growing youth population, as public-sector opportunities are currently limited. The longer-validity residency for older expatriates may enable mainland companies to attract foreigners who contribute to the economy.
What is the change? The United Arab Emirates has agreed to visa-free travel arrangements with Mexico and Serbia.
What does the change mean? Nationals of the UAE will be permitted to travel to Mexico and Serbia without obtaining a visa in advance. Likewise, nationals of Mexico and Serbia will be permitted to travel to the UAE without first needing to obtain a visa.
The UAE and Serbia added an amendment to the original passport protocol agreement signed in 2014 that extends visa-free travel to Serbian nationals. The UAE and Mexico exchanged a diplomatic memorandum of understanding on visa exemption in September, and the agreement went into effect Oct. 31.
Background: The UAE and Serbia previously signed a visa-free agreement for Emirati nationals holding diplomatic or official passports to enter Serbia without a visa in 2014. This was later amended to allow UAE nationals holding regular passports to enter. The new amendment will extend the visa-free agreement to Serbian nationals. This year, the UAE has agreed to visa-free travel deals with China, Ireland, Paraguay, Russia and Uruguay and implemented visa-free travel deals with Brazil and Ukraine.
Analysis & Comments: The visa waiver will facilitate business travel between Mexico and the UAE and between Serbia and the UAE.
What is the change? The UAE has put new restrictions on female applicants seeking to sponsor their children for residence visas.
What does the change mean? Only women who are widowed or divorced, or whose husband’s monthly salary is less than 4,000 dirhams are eligible to sponsor their children’s residence visas. This rule does not apply to female employees who already sponsor their husband’s residence visa.
Analysis & Comments: The policy is currently in place in Dubai and is likely to be applied in the other emirates. Employers whose expatriate employees are affected by the new policy should work with their immigration advisor to find alternatives.
What is the change? The United Arab Emirates and Paraguay have signed a visa-free travel agreement.
What does the change mean? Nationals of the UAE and Paraguay will be permitted to travel to each other’s country without obtaining a visa in advance.
Background: The visa-free travel arrangement between the UAE and Paraguay was agreed to in April when Paraguay extended its visas-on-arrival program to UAE nationals. Since the new year, the UAE has agreed to visa-free travel deals with China, Ireland, Russia, and Uruguay and implemented visa-free travel deals with Brazil and Ukraine.
Analysis & Comments: The visa waiver will facilitate business travel between the two countries. The UAE has actively pursued visa exemptions this year, and the number of countries allowing UAE nationals to enter without a visa now exceeds157, according to the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
What is the change? The United Arab Emirates has waived visa requirements for Russian nationals.
What does the change mean? Russian nationals will be able to travel to the UAE without first obtaining a visa for up to 30 days for business or tourism. Russia is in the process of waiving its visa requirement for UAE nationals.
Background: The UAE and Russia inked the agreement in July, when the UAE sent a delegation to meet with Russian officials. Russian nationals may now visit the UAE without first obtaining a visa for up to 30 days, extendable for an additional 30 days while in the UAE.
Russia is moving toward implementing visa-free travel for UAE nationals. A statement posted to the Russian Embassy’s website says the agreement states it will go “into force after 30 days (after the required) internal procedures are accomplished by Russia and UAE, which has not happened yet. The procedures themselves and their timing may vary from one country to another.”
BAL Analysis: The visa waiver will make it easier for Russian nationals to visit the UAE for business or tourism. The UAE has actively pursued visa exemptions, and has recently implemented visa-free travel agreements with Chile, China, Ireland, Switzerland, Uruguay and Ukraine. The number of countries allowing UAE nationals to enter without a visa now exceeds 155.