14,355 people caught for visa violations in U.A.E

A total of 14,355 people violating visa rules — including 801 border jumpers — were caught during investigations and searches in the first four months of this year, the Ministry of the Interior said.

The ministry warned against dealing with visa violators and border jumpers as they are a group which has "broken the law" in the words of Major General Nasser Al Awadi Al Minhali, Deputy director of Naturalisation, Residency and Checkpoints Affairs at the ministry.

He also said that the department responsible for following up these issues was able to hold 1275 infiltrators and violators between April 22 and 28.Al Minhali also announced that inspection teams affiliated to the department will continue their work relentlessly to bring border jumpers to justice, and warned whoever shelters violators would be subject to legal procedures.

ID card mandatory to avail all traffic services across U.A.E from May 2

From Sunday, ID cards issued by the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) will be mandatory to use any traffic and licensing services across the country, officials have announced.In a statement issued on Friday and carried by WAM, the Emirates News Agency, the Interior Ministry said that applications submitted to the various traffic departments in the country will be rejected if the applicant has no ID card.

Since November last year, residents of Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain — both nationals and expatriates — have been required to produce the ID card to access services such as such as vehicle registration, and renewal. From May 2, officials are extending this decision to cover the remaining three emirates — Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

Brigadier Gaith Hassan Al Za'abi, Director of the Traffic Department at the Interior Ministry called on all members of the public to register and complete procedures to obtain the ID cards at the earliest to avoid inconvenience.

Apart from being unable to use certain government transactions, no further fines will be issued, at least for the time being.Officials said they hope the denial of these essential services will urge the residents who still haven't obtained the card to come forward.

Obligatory

The Law of Population Register and Identity Card makes it obligatory for all citizens and residents of the UAE above the age of 15 to obtain the ID card for identification in various transactions.

But when contacted, Ahmad Hashim Al Behroozian, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Licensing Agency of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that they had not so far received any instruction from the Ministry of Interior to only consider Emirates ID as proof of personal identity to complete any transaction.

"We will continue to work as normal and presenting [an] Emirates Identity Card will not be mandatory for applicants to complete their traffic, licensing and vehicle registration related transactions," said Al Behroozian

Immigration New Zealand Dubai Office

Dubai branch address:

Immigration New Zealand – Dubai branch,Suite 1503, Level 15

API Tower

Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai,UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Finding : API Tower is next to the Fairmont Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road – opposite the World Trade Centre.

Dubai branch contact details: Phone +971 4 332 7031  - Fax +971 4 329 1390

Email : inzdubai@dol.govt.nz
Dubai branch opening hours
The Dubai branch is open from 8.30am to 12.00 noon, Sunday to Thursday.
If you wish to make a telephone query about your application, please call between 8.30am and 12 noon Sunday to Thursday.
The branch is closed on the following days:2010
Birth of the Prophet Mohammed (Mouloud) 28 February (Sunday)*
Easter Sunday 4 April (Sunday)
Ascension of the Prophet (Leilat Al Meiraj) 11 July (Sunday)
End of Ramadan (Eid Al Fitr) 12 September (Sunday)*
End of Ramadan (Eid Al Fitr) 13 September (Monday)*
Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid Al Adha) 18 November (Thursday)*
Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid Al Adha) 21 November (Sunday)*
UAE National Day 2 December (Thursday)
Office Closed – Christmas Day 25 December (Saturday)
Office Closed - Boxing Day 26 December (Sunday)
Office Closed 27 December (Monday)
Office Closed 30 December (Thursday)
* Islamic holidays are tentative dates, subject to moon sighting.
Visa processing times
The average processing times for the various application types from when we receive all required documentation are:
•visitor visa – 21 to 30 days
•student visa – 30 to 45 days
•work visa – 30 to 45 days.

These are indicative timeframes only and should not be taken to mean that we guarantee your application will be processed within these timeframes.

At present  have a backlog of applications awaiting processing. Branch are taking steps to deal with the backlog and while they make every effort to meet the above timeframes, this is not always possible.

Applicants should allow at least four weeks for the processing of visa applications. Some applications may take longer to process than others and we will not necessarily know how long we will take to process your application until it is assessed.

Applications may take longer than four weeks to process if:

•they require further information •documents require verification

•there are any issues noted on your Medical or X-ray Certificate that need to be followed up

•They need to refer your application to an onshore branch for processing.

This is not an exhaustive list of reasons why your application may not be processed within four weeks.

While the Dubai Branch may be the receiving office for your application, some applications submitted to us must be transferred to New Zealand for processing. This is likely to mean that the processing time is longer than if the application could be processed in Dubai. They will contact you should this apply to your application.

It is important that you provide us with as much time to process your application as possible and we stress that you should not make irreversible travel plans before having your visa issued. Any bookings made are made at the risk of the applicant.

Don’t forget to check out our checklists for full information on lodging an application with Dubai Branch.

Frequently asked questions

Who does not need a visa?

People from visa free countries do not need a visa to enter New Zealand.

Does INZ have a list of approved agents or consultants?

The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) in New Zealand has a register of licensed immigration advisers, see www.iaa.govt.nz. Immigration New Zealand accepts applications from clients or through their authorised representatives (such as licensed immigration advisers).

How do I lodge a visa application?

You can lodge your application in person between 8.30am to 12.00 noon from Sunday to Thursday or your application can be submitted by courier. If you are submitting your application by courier, please ensure you provide a return courier envelope so your passport can be returned to you.

What documents should I lodge with my visa application?

You can take a look at our checklists to find out what documents you need to provide.

Is an original confirmed ticket required with an application for a visitor visa?

You do not need to submit an original travel ticket with the visa application.

We do ask for copies of travel booking but recommend clients do not purchase a ticket before the visa is approved.

Who can be included in a visitor visa application?

One visitor visa application can include a husband and wife and their dependent children 19 years of age and under.

Do I need to submit my application in person?

No. You can send your application by courier or arrange for someone else to bring your application to our office.

Do I need to pay for the return of my documents?

Yes. You will either need to collect your documents from our office or arrange for a return courier. We recommend you do not use postal services. If a friend is collecting your passport from our office, you will need to give us written permission to give them the passport.

Can I apply for both a New Zealand and Australian visa from your office?

No.

What are the processing times for the different types of visa applications?

See our visa application processing times.

Can I have my application processed in shorter timeframe?

Your application will be treated as urgent only in extreme circumstances such as a serious family illness, to attend a funeral in New Zealand, or to seek urgent medical treatment.

Can I pay a fee to have my application processed urgently?

No. Applications will only be processed urgently in emergencies and no extra fee is charged.

How can I apply for an extension to my visa?

You should travel to New Zealand within the period that your visa is valid. If you are unable to do so, you must lodge a new application along with the processing fee and all relevant information to obtain a new visa.

How much money should I carry with me if I am travelling to New Zealand on a holiday?

You will need approximately NZ$1000 per person per month.

Where can I get my medical certificates completed?

We will only accept medical certificates completed by an Immigration New Zealand (INZ) panel doctor. We will not accept reports or certificates from a doctor not on the INZ list of panel doctors.

What does outward passage/funds waived mean?

If your visa label states 'Outward Passage Waived' or 'Funds Waived', you will not be required to show evidence of return journey or evidence of funds at the airport. However, if these are not waived you will be required to carry a return ticket and sufficient funds to meet the expenses of your visit to New Zealand.

My family and I have been issued visitor visas together which are valid for the same period of time. Do we all need to travel at the same time?

No, the entire family does not need to travel at the same time. However, everyone needs to enter New Zealand before their visa expires.

When should I apply for the transfer of a visa?

If your passport has a valid New Zealand visa (including a returning resident's visa) and has expired, you must apply for your visa to be transferred from your old passport to your new passport. You cannot travel to New Zealand on a visa in an expired passport.

Please submit your old and new passport along with the current processing fee which can be found in our Office and Fees finder.

Dubai rejects Kenya’s bid to end visa row

By KEVIN MWANZA Business Daily

Kenya’s bid to settle a month-long diplomatic row with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over new visa rules appears to have flopped, signalling that thousands of traders will remain locked out of their most popular source market for imported consumer goods.

A statement posted on UAE’s government website said that the visa issue was not part of the agenda of the talks with a team of Kenyan diplomats that visited Dubai early this week, suggesting that no agreement had been reached on the matter.

“The visit by Kenya’s Foreign minister was to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries. It has absolutely nothing to do with the false media reports on (deportation of UAE officials),” said the statement signed by Sultan Al Qurtasi Al Nuaimi, a director of Consular Affairs at UAE’s Foreign ministry.

When they left for the UAE, the team of diplomats, led by Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula, had placed the new visa conditions that bars non-graduate Kenyans from visiting the emirate top on their agenda.

UAE government’s position gained credence on Wednesday after the Kenyan delegation failed to send a statement they had promised on the outcome of the talks.

Instead, Mr Wentangula flew out of the emirate for China where he joined President Kibaki who is on an official visit to Shanghai.

The Foreign Affairs ministry’s silence means that Dubai continues to uphold its new visa rules, putting at risk the livelihoods of Kenyan importers of goods such as electronics, textiles, household goods and industrial products from the free port city that was valued at Sh113 billion last year.

It could also hurt the flow of more than Sh300 million in monthly remittances or 10 per cent of the country’s total monthly remittance from Kenyans working in UAE and whose jobs are now on the line.

Sultan Al Qurtasi said that the degree requirement was introduced to regulate the flow of Kenyans to the Emirate, refuting claims that it was in retaliation for a recent deportation of the UAE citizens.

The degree directive is only applicable to Kenyan citizens, according to the website.

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs ministry officials on Thursday said they had no fresh information on the minister’s trip to UAE, adding that Mr Wetangula and his permanent secretary had moved from Dubai to China.

The volume of trade between the two countries has tilted in favour of UAE as Kenya’s imports stood at Sh113 billion in 2008 compared to exports of Sh7.5 billion.

“Dubai is the one of the largest destination for Kenya’s human resource export and also a major source of cheap products for both local consumption and re-export to other countries in this region,” said Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, former Trade minister.

About 36, 000 Kenyans are currently working in the UAE, notably in the construction and hospitality industries, according to the immigration ministry.

Exporters of commodities have begun to feel the pinch of the spat.

“Some of my business associates who deal in spare parts and sell refurbished vehicles from Dubai have been hit badly by the directive as they can’t get more stock for their business and have to source from Singapore or Japan,” said Mr David Kinyanjui, a car dealer in Nairobi who frequently travels to Dubai for business.

But Mr Kinyanjui is not alone. The same story is repeated by electronics, textiles, household goods importers interviewed.

“I’ve been forced to use other people who have degrees to sources for my goods from Dubai because I don’t have a degree my self,” said Mr Ben Kimeu, a computer accessories dealer at the Jamia Mall in Nairobi. “This has cost me a lot in terms of not getting the right quality of equipment and delays of up to a month. I used to restock every week, but now I have to do it once every month,” said Mr Kimeu, adding that he has lost between Sh800, 000 and Sh1.5 million in the three weeks the new visa requirement has been in effect.

Already, Kenyans working for UAE companies such as Emirates Airlines have been asked to comply with the directive, in a move that has placed some jobs on the line.

Some analysts have been arguing that severed relations with the UAE is not going to affect the country as much on the basis that the volume of trade between the two countries is unfairly tilted in favour of UAE, while Kenya can still get sources for its imports from the other countries in the Asian region.

The total volume of trade last year between the two countries stood at Sh100 billion mostly re-exports to countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and Congo a huge chunk of which entailed electronics and clothing.

Imports from UAE to Kenya include refurbished motor vehicles, petroleum products, beauty products, Jewellery, IT accessories, iron and steel, resins and plastics.

Kenya seeks end to visa row after Dubai rulers expelled

Kenya's foreign minister is in Dubai to defuse a row after members of the Gulf state's ruling family were deported as terror suspects.

The four were on holiday from Dubai in Kenya's resort of Mombasa over Easter, when immigration officers interrogated them for hours before expelling them.

The United Arab Emirates responded by tightening visa requirements - and only accepts Kenyan university graduates. The ban has hit many traders, who usually buy their goods from Dubai.

The BBC's Ruth Nesoba in Nairobi says second-hand cars and fabrics from Dubai are particularly popular with Kenyan businessmen.

Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula and his delegation of officials arrived in the UAE on Monday but the talks were deadlocked and so they have been extended.

Last week, deputy foreign minister Richard Onyonka apologised on the BBC's Swahili service for the "stupid mistake" of the officials.

Kenya's Standard newspaper reports that some 37,000 Kenyans live in the UAE, mostly Dubai.