ABU DHABI, 1 August 2004 — The Executive Council of Abu Dhabi emirate has issued a decree levying a departure tax of 30 UAE dirhams at both Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain international airports.
Children under 12 and airline crew are exempted from the tax, to be implemented from Sept. 1.
Sources at the two airports confirmed receiving a circular for the implementation of the decree, the report said. Circulars will be issued to airline companies and travel agencies asking them to levy this fee when issuing tickets to customers either in the UAE or abroad.
Dubai issued a similar decree on July 13, imposing a 30-dirham tax as a fuel surcharge on passengers traveling via Dubai International Airport.
Meanwhile, a senior official from the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) has cleared misconceptions about the issue of multiple entry visas for expatriate businessmen, executives and non-resident diplomats.
There have been complaints about ways to obtain the visa and it was discovered that some immigration officials were unaware of its existence, a report published here said.
Clarifying the issue, Lt. Col. Salah Bin Suloom, assistant director-general of the department for permits, said: “The department assesses applications submitted by companies operating in the country and UAE nationals to sponsor these distinguished guests, and issues multiple entry visas valid for two years.
“Visitors cannot apply for this visa on their own. They need sponsors in the UAE,” he said.
“The visa, which requires a well-reputed UAE-based corporate or individual sponsor, is issued to VIPs who do not qualify for visa-on-arrival status, which is given only to citizens of 33 countries by the UAE authorities.
“Visitors must be above 18 years of age and have visited the country before. Sponsors will be charged 200 dirhams for each entry,” he said.
Once the visa is issued and the visitor enters the country, he will be given an electronic card after filling in a form with personal details, having his photograph taken and being fingerprinted at Dubai International Airport or any entry point in the emirate.
This e-card will be issued for a payment of 150 dirhams, allowing visitors to pass through specially designated gates at Dubai International Airport without having to show their passports. The facility is meant to help employees of multinational companies as well as diplomats.
The project has been launched to benefit companies that need professionals and partners to travel on business trips several times a year. Under the project, companies can buy an e-card that offers multiple-entry access for two years.
