The Dubai has waived the degree requirement for Kenyans

The United Arab Emirates has waived the degree requirement for Kenyans seeking entry into Dubai.

Foreign minister Moses Wetangula said Wednesday the Arab country, which attracts many Kenyan businesspeople, had lifted the demand on Kenyans applying for a visa after holding talks with a delegation from the government led by Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula and his Labour counterpart John Munyes.

It emerged that at the heart of the diplomatic rift between the two countries was the sudden influx of non-Kenyans travelling to Dubai from Mogadishu using forged Kenyan passports.

Forged passports

Addressing the press Wednesday, Mr Wetangula disclosed that UAE authorities had expressed concern at the number of non-Kenyans arriving in the oil-rich emirate from Mogadishu using forged Kenyan passports.

“Besides the issue of the deportation of their nationals, UAE raised concern about many people who arrive in Dubai, having flown in directly from Mogadishu and other countries other than Kenya but holding Kenyan passports that are obviously forged,” said the minister, who was flanked by the head of political affairs at the ministry, Mr P Wamoto.

Mr Wetangula flew to Dubai last month after the UAE imposed new and stringent requirements for Kenyans seeking to travel to the oil-rich emirate.

“Besides the issue of the deportation of their nationals, UAE raised concern about many people who arrive in Dubai, having flown in directly from Mogadishu and other countries other than Kenya but holding Kenyan passports that are obviously forged,” said the minister, who was flanked by the head of political affairs at the ministry, Mr P Wamoto.

Mr Wetangula flew to Dubai last month after the UAE imposed new and stringent requirements for Kenyans seeking to travel to the oil-rich emirate.

The row stemmed from the overzealous actions of officers from the anti-terrorism police unit based in Mombasa over the Easter weekend.

The security officers are said to have arrested four people they claimed were terror suspects and locked them up at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa.

Grilled for hours

The four, who had already spent a week in the country had flown to the coastal city that fateful weekend when they were arrested by the detectives, grilled for hours before being flown back to Nairobi.

A decision was then made to deport them to Dubai on grounds that they posed a serious threat to the country’s security.There are over 37,000 Kenyans living and working in Dubai, mainly in the hospitality and construction industries whose jobs were at stake following the imposition of the new requirements.

The Kenyan delegation, which also included Kisauni MP Ali Hassan Joho, held talks with representatives of the Kenyan labour force in Dubai with a view to seeking ways of protecting their jobs in the wake of the new requirements.

ID cards mandatory for government and banking services in UAE

Abu Dhabi: Anyone without the Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) ID cards will soon be denied government and banking services across the country, a senior government official said on Monday.

"Applications submitted to the various governmental departments and banks across the country will shortly be rejected if the applicant has no ID card," Eida higher committee deputy head Dr Ali Al Khouri said.

Al Khouri was speaking on the sidelines of the ID World Forum a day after the card was made mandatory for residents to be able to access services such as vehicle registration and renewal.

Al Khouri did not give a time frame for the move, but said the beginning was to make the card mandatory for services offered by the traffic departments.

"The card will gradually be required to access services of other departments of the Interior and Labour ministries," he said.

"Then come services of banks, with the eventual goal of making the card mandatory for all services offered by the government and private sectors."

Al Khouri said the move was prompted by the lukewarm response from the public to register with the Eida. "A little bit more than 1.8 million Emiratis and residents have registered for the cards, which shows people have been slow in applying," he said.

With the threat of services of traffic departments being denied, around 5,000 people registered for the card on Monday, which is believed to be the highest number of applications made in a single day.

He said registration devices would be deployed at traffic departments across the country to meet the rush of people needing to register for the ID card.

Al Khouri expected that with the access of service being linked to the ID card, the number of people registered on a daily basis would double.

By the end of this year, applicants wishing to obtain residence visa or renew it will be required to produce the ID card, he said. By then Eida will be registering 9,000 to 12,000 people a day, he said.

Apart from being unable to avail themselves of certain government and banking transactions, no further fines will be issued to people who are not registered, at least for the time being, Al Khouri said.

Application forms are now available online at www.emiratesid.ae and at various printing and post offices, where applicants can provide documents, fill out forms, pay fees and make appointments to visit a registration centre for the final steps.

At registration centres, applicants will only be photographed and fingerprinted, which will take no more than five to seven minutes, he said. Currently there are 22 registration centres and 25 preventive medicine centres, which also offer registration services.

Two hundred new registration devices will be deployed to mobile centres to serve labourers.

Children younger than 15 need not apply for the cards in person.

Emiratis can use the national ID card to travel between all GCC countries except Saudi Arabia.

The government also plans to combine it with the driving licence and the labour card.

By the end of this month, the authority will receive the first shipment out of two million new cards with a swipe feature. The swipe cards are faster and can hold more data, Al Khouri said.

Holders of the older cards will be able to get the new swipe cards when they renew them. Nationals renew their cards every five years.

Residents renew each time their residency visa expires.

There are plans to add features to the ID cards, such as a so-called e-purse, an electronic signature and a Metro fare-paying facility.

Civil registry: Everyone must apply

Dr Ali Al Khouri, deputy head of the higher committee at Emirates Identity Authority (Eida), said the authority would open a centre in Abu Dhabi that will be bigger than the one in Al Mushrif. "It will process up to 1,200 applications a shift," he said. "Another registration centre will be set up in Mussaffah by the end of this year to serve workers in industrial zones."

The existing 25 medical centres, where residents are tested before receiving their residency visas, will also serve as registration centres.

Combining the residency visa obtaining-and-renewal process with the ID cards will help the authority to finish registering all residents in the country within three years", Al Khouri said.

"The authority will also co-ordinate with schools and universities to activate their role in students' registration," he said.

Everyone in the country should be registered with a view to creating a civil registry of Emiratis and residents in the country.

Technology: Global standard

ID World Abu Dhabi brings together government representatives, law enforcement and border control authorities, cargo and passenger carriers, to discuss strategies in enhancing the reliability of our security and ICT infrastructures as well as plans in adopting smart technologies to achieve security and mobility.

Over 400 leaders and technology experts gathered to discuss tested strategies, best practices and innovations in elevating the automatic identification industry in the Middle East.

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.