DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has exempted Palestinians from paying visa and residency permit fees in solidarity with the bombarded Gaza Strip, the official WAM news agency said yesterday.
It said UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan had ordered that “Palestinian passport holders be exempted from paying fees for entry visas” and that the visas of visiting Palestinians unable to return home because of the ongoing conflict would be extended.
Since Israel unleashed its wave of airstrikes on Saturday at least 390 Palestinians, including 42 children, have been killed and 1,900 wounded.
WAM quoted UAE Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahyan as saying the new visa rules will take effect from Jan. 1. It said any Palestinians overstaying their visas in the UAE would not be fined and would be allowed to remain until the situation calms down.
