MAJOR CHANGES TO UAE VISAS - EFFECTIVE 29 JULY 2008

GENERAL

+ All visitors to the UAE must have valid health insurance. This is can be covered by a travel agency, tour operator, international health insurance schemes will be recognised, or alternatively UAE Immigration can provide health insurance when visas are applied for. No indication how this will be policed - especially for those eligible for visa on arrival.

 

+ A 1000 dirham deposit is required for all visa applications. This doesn't appear to apply to those who get a visa on arrival - only those who must apply in advance.

 

+ There are a heap of new visas including 6 month multi entry, festival/exhibition, medical and short term education visas not covered below. Eligibility for these visas has not yet been stated, nor if they will attract the deposit requirments. See the link at the bottom of this post for costs and extensions.

 

+ Anyone found working without a valid employment visa, will face fines of up to 50,000 dirhams, will be deported and banned from entering the UAE. There will also be harsh penalties for employers.

 

VISA ON ARRIVAL

+ Only nationals from: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, US and Vatican City are eligible for visa's on arrival.

 

+ Previously, free visa for 60 days upon arrival in the UAE will now have to pay Dh100 for a 30-day visa. It is still issued on arrival (no need to apply in advance) and are valid for single entry only

 

+ People will no longer be able to go to neighbouring countries to renew their visas, and will have to return to their home country or "distant" countries (not specified which countries are "distant" yet)

 

+ One extension of 30 days is permitted. It is done incountry (i.e. while your in the UAE still) at a cost of 610 dirhams

 

+ Visas will no longer be converted to residency or employment visas in the UAE. Individuals wanting to change from a Visit Visa to a residency visa must return to their home country and await their new visa

 

TOURIST/VISIT VISAS

+ The Tourist Visa (some sources callling it a Visit Visa) previously available to only 79 nationalities is now available to all nationationalities.

 

+ Tourist Visa's MUST be applied for in advance by a registered travel agent or hotel.

 

+ It is valid for 30 days and can be extended once incountry at a cost of 610 dirhams

 

SHORT/LONG TERM FAMILY VISAS

+ There is a short term (30 day) and long term (90 day) visas that are for people visiting family members in the UAE. Short term costs 610 dirhams, long term 1110 dirhams. There are no extensions available. It is assumed each visa will attract the 1000 dirham deposit as well.

 

+ The individual residing in the UAE can apply for the visas on their family member's behalf

 

+ The UAE resident must have a minimum salary to sponsor their family. Sponsor a sibling = minimum salary of dhs5,000; to sponsor wife and children = dhs4,000; and to sponsor other relatives = dhs6,000.

 

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New visa fees in Dhs

 

Short Entry (visit) Visa -        500 (1 month)

Long Entry (visit) Visa -         1,000 (3 months)

Multiple Entry Visa -             2,000

Entry Visa for Study -            1,000

Renewal of Study Visa -           500

Entry Visa for Medical Treatment -     1,000

Renewal of Medical Treatment Visa -    500

Entry Visa for Expos and Conferences - 100

Tourism Entry Visa -              100

Renewal of Tourism Visa -         500

Entry Visa for GCC State Residents -    100

Renewal of GCC State Resident's Visa -500

Entry Visa for GCC State Resident's Companions - 100

Renewal of GCC State Residents Companions' Visa - 200

Mission Entry Visa - 200

Transit Entry Visa - 100

Fresh News

Indian-origin South African judge Navanethem Pillay, has been appointed the new UN High Commissioner of Human Rights.

 

The Kerala government said Friday that 837 km of national highways in the state will be widened to four-lane roads.

 

Goa is set to become the first state in India to appoint non-resident Indians (NRIs) to various state boards and corporations.

Fun - Jokes

A man sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. He goes into the backyard and sees a black mutt just sitting there.

 

"You talk?" he asks.

 

"Yep," the mutt replies.

 

"So, what's your story?"

 

The mutt looks up and says, "Well, I discovered this gift pretty young and I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping."

 

"I was one of their most valuable spies eight years running. But, the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger and I wanted to settle down."

 

"So, I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security work, mostly wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings there and was awarded a batch of medals."

 

"Had a wife, a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

 

The man is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

 

The owner says, "Ten dollars."

 

The guy says, "This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?"

 

The owner replies, "He's such a liar. He didn't do any of that stuff."

 

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Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back

together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly

mother.

 

The first said, "I built a big house for our mother."

The second said, "I sent her a Mercedes with a driver."

The third smiled and said, "I've got you both beat. Remember how mom

enjoyed reading the morning newspaper? And you know she can't see very well. I sent her a

remarkable parrot that recites newspaper. It took trainers

12 years to teach him. He's one of a kind. Mama just has to order, and the parrot recites."

 

Soon thereafter, mom sent a letter to each son. "Milton," she wrote one son,

"the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the

whole house."

 

"Gerald," she wrote to another, "I am too old to travel. I stay most of the

time at home, so I rarely use the Mercedes. Maintainance is a big problem!"

 

"Dearest Donald," she wrote to her third son, "you have the good sense to

know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious."

 

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A CEO (and member of Forbes 400!) throwing a party takes his executives on a tour of his opulent mansion. In the back of the property, the CEO has the largest swimming pool any of them has ever seen. The huge pool, however, is filled with hungry alligators. The CEO says to his executives "I think an executive should be measured by courage. Courage is what made me CEO. So this is my challenge to each of you: if anyone has enough courage to dive into the pool, swim through those alligators, and make it to the other side, I will give that person anything they desire. My job, my money, my house, anything!"

Everyone laughs at the outrageous offer and proceeds to follow the CEO on the tour of the estate. Suddenly, they hear a loud splash. Everyone turns around and sees the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) in the pool, swimming for his life. He dodges the alligators left and right and makes it to the edge of the pool with seconds to spare. He pulls himself out just as a huge alligator snaps at his shoes. The flabbergasted CEO approaches the CFO and says, "You are amazing. I've never seen anything like it in my life. You are brave beyond measure and anything I own is yours. Tell me what I can do for you."

 

The CFO, panting for breath, looks up and says, "You can tell me who the hell pushed me in the pool!!"

 

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The Cab Driver

 

A taxi passenger sitting on the back seat tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question.

 

The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window.

 

For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look mate, don't ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!"

 

The passenger apologized and said, "I didn't realize that a little tap would scare you so much."

 

The driver replied, "Sorry, it's not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver - I've been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years".

 

 

Fresh News

Kerala law panel recommends Rs10 lakh fine for hartal calls.

Kerala mulls passenger ship service to the Gulf.

Kerala government will be investing Rs.120 billion for developing ports in the maritime state within the next three years.

Kerala slaps 10% surcharge on retail chains.

The government Thursday decided to fund the restoration of the original environment in the famous Kuttanad lowlands of Kerala

Fun - Overrun

Two biologists are in the field following the tracks of a radio-collared grizzly bear. All of a sudden,

the bear crashes out of the brush and heads right for them. They scramble up the nearest tree, but the bear starts climbing up the tree after them. The first biologist starts taking off his heavy leather hiking boots and pulls a pair of sleek running shoes from his back-pack. The second biologist gives him a puzzled look and says, "What in the world are you doing?" He replies, "I figure when the bear gets close to us, we'll jump down and make a run for it." The second guy says, "Are you crazy? We both know you can't outrun a full-grown grizzly bear." The first guy says, "I don't have to outrun the bear, I only have to outrun you!"

Mission visa holders must leave and return on work visa

Workers who enter the country on temporary work permit (mission visa) must leave the country and re-enter if their sponsors seek employment visas, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Labour (MoL).

This was stated yesterday by the Acting-General Manager in the MoL, Humaid bin Deemas, during the 'Open Day' in the ministry's office that was attended by nearly 100 people who sought to find solutions to their problems.       

Bin Deemas rejected an application from a contracting company in the capital to apply for a permanent work permit to complete the formalities for issuance of employment residence visa to an engineer who had entered the country on mission visa.

"The engineer must leave the country because the mission visa was issued for three months and extended for three months. Hence, the worker must depart from the country and the company can then apply for an employment visa to bring him back and complete the formalities of either residence or employment visa," Bin Deemas clarified.

He added that the ministry allowed the companies to bring workers on mission visas for a period of three to six months.

The mission visa costs Dh600 (including Dh100 application fee) in addition to Dh3,000 refundable bank guarantee. This three-month mission visa is extendable at a cost of Dh600.

"The worker must leave the country and the company must produce a statement from the Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD) confirming that the person had left the country," added Bin Deemas.

According to the Naturalisation and Residency Department instructions, there is no limit on the period that the worker should stay out of the country in case he had departed after the expiry of the mission visa until the issuance of fresh employment visa.

The ministry' strongly stressed that the companies shouldn't apply to bring in labourers who were banned from work in the country as these applications would be rejected and the firms would lose the Dh100 application fees.    

There is no need to attest the academic certifications of the worker to get a mission permit issued, the ministry said.

Fresh News

The Kerala government is considering the option of introducing electric and LNG buses to save public sector Kerala State Road Transport.

 

A BBC undercover investigation has unearthed a huge network of illegal immigration that exploits people from India, especially Punjab, wanting to move to the UK.

 

In a move to encourage more business and family visits to Bahrain, the Interior Ministry will now give Indians two week visit visas on arrival, also hoping to attract tourists from the subcontinent.

 

Close to 3000 Indian workers detained by authorities after violent protests in the labour camp of Al Hamra Constructions, Ras Al Khaimah, an emirate north of Dubai are to be released shortly and allowed to rejoin work.

 

Though Indians are the second biggest ethnic group to acquire green cards after Mexicans, the number of Indians wanting to become US citizens has declined, according to the Annual Flow Report issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

 

Britain has now decided to allow thousands of Indian professionals, who left the UK after being affected by the November 2006 changes to immigration rules, to return to work in Britain.

 

The government has now decided to reserve at least 15 percent of seats for children of Indians living abroad, in various state educational institutions, not however at the cost of Indian students.

 

Property sales in India turned sluggish but sales to NRIs have turned the tables, by tripling the last six months sales from 3 to10 percent, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj.

 

State government organisation Norka Roots, that caters to the needs of NRKs and NRK returnees is to start a boarding school in Trivandrum.

 

The UK government announced that Indian and other international students can now work in the UK for two years after completing their courses, instead of the one year allowed earlier.

 

The British government announced that hence forward resident families of visitors travelling on short term visas will be held responsible for their guests overstaying or breaking any laws.

 

After China and the US, India is the third most popular country for sourcing foreign talent according to the findings of global recruiting firm Manpower Inc.

 

According to the news published in equitybulls the Brigade Enterprises, a Bangalore based real estate developer has bagged 5 acres in Kochi to develop IT SEZ space.

 

The decision of Emirates Airlines to start six flight a week in kozhikode-dubai sector is heartily welcomed by the kerala community.

 

IT and BPO major Mphasis may start it's operation in Kozhikode (Calicut).

Fresh News

Bus fares are to go up in Kerala, Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas announced.

 

Kerala government had said that it would ban the use of the mobile phones in all schools throughout the state.

 

25 customs officials accused of fleecing Kerala passengers at Kerala Airports.

 

The Kerala government has asked the Centre to allow it to acquire land compulsorily for setting up SEZs owned by the state.

 

The Indian rupee hit a two-week high on Friday as a corporate sold a sizeable amount of dollars, but then trimmed its gains as unexpectedly weak industrial output data sparked a stock market sell-off and oil hit a record high.

 

Kerala is likely to face severe water shortage since poor monsoon rains this year have led to inadequate storage in dams.

 

The Railways is planning to provide broadband Internet connection in Kerala through the Railtel Corporation of India Ltd. Railtel would provide the service through cable operators.

 

A Kerala fish curry was all it took for an Indian restaurant in Cardiff to win the Tiffin Cup 2008, awarded by the House of Commons in London.

 

Kerala invites air taxi operators to promote tourism.

Indian rupee gains as firm sells dlrs, data hurts

The Indian rupee hit a two-week high on Friday as a corporate sold a sizeable amount of dollars, but then trimmed its gains as unexpectedly weak industrial output data sparked a stock market sell-off and oil hit a record high.

The partially convertible rupee ended at 42.87/88 per dollar, off an intraday high of 42.68, its strongest since June 26, but still 0.3 percent higher than Thursday's close of 42.99/43.00. It had hit a 15-month low of 43.50 last week.

"There was heavy dollar selling from a large corporate, which offset the pressures from weaker stocks and lower-than-expected industrial output data, but the dollar-rupee did recover from

42.68 levels," a dealer with a private bank said.

"Oil has also hit a fresh record, if it continues to stay at these levels, it will affect the market sentiment," he added.

Four traders said the dollar seller was a large pharmaceutical company.

Industrial output rose 3.8 percent in May from a year earlier, the weakest rate in six years, while annual inflation was a higher-than-expected 11.89 percent on June 28, data showed on Friday.

Adding to inflation concerns, oil jumped over $4 a barrel to a record high near $146 a barrel on Friday, spurred by growing worries of threats to supplies from Iran and Nigeria and a strike on Brazilian oil workers next week.

Oil is India's biggest import and the record prices have widened the trade deficit, helping push the rupee down this year.

The weak industrial output numbers undermined sentiment in the stock market, which ended down 3.3 percent. Falls in stocks normally raise concerns of selling by foreign investors, which then weighs on the rupee.

Dealers said the rupee should trade a 42.60-43.30 range next week, depending on how factors such as local politics, stocks and oil prices play out.

Fresh News

Kerala is all set to welcome half an hour load shedding.

 

Kerala mulls law to check extravagance during marriages.

 

The government of Kerala and the Indian Railways signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint venture company for fabrication of bogie frames.

 

Wildlife tourism is gaining popularity in Kerala and many tourists, especially foreigners, are enthusiastic about spending time in the wild.

 

Kerala government will explore the possibilities of bringing in a new legislation to check lavish marriages in the state.

 

A German Catholic diocese has sought 12 priests from Kerala to meet the acute shortage of local priests.

 

Norka-Roots a Kerala Government organisation to set up Rs 150m residential school in Kerala.

 

Mumbai-based Ambulance Access for All (AAA) Foundation has lined up plans to expand its ‘Dial 1298 for Ambulance' services to all districts of Kerala by 2009.

 

Kerala’s Rs600 crore organized Ayurveda industry is embarking on an expansion and quality improvement drive as it braces to compete with retail gaints.

 

Emirates airline on Wednesday introduced six flights a week to Kozhikode in Kerala from Dubai.

Top News

·         The Kerala government decided to set up a 'Malayalam Mission' to promote use of mother tongue among NRKs, also launches Malayalam Computing.

·         The long season of traditional boat races or Vallom Kali has begun in Kerala, starting with the colourful Champakkulam boat race.

·         Kerala Government announces NRK identity cum insurance & discount card. Pilot scheme at Mankada Malappuram.

·         British students are outsourcing their homework to India.

·         A hike in the medical fees for seats under the NRI quota in self financing colleges in Kerala has made the study of medicine costly for dependents of NRKs.

·         The Oman government has agreed to permit thousands of Indians living illegally in the country to leave without paying fines.

·         India has selected the Manipal Academy of High Education (MAHE) to run the proposed NRI University to be set up in Bangalore.

·         Singapore has invited NRIs from South East Asia and the Pacific nations to hold a two day jamboree in October.

·         Of the 164,000 outsiders granted UK citizenship last year nine percent were Indians.

·         Kerala to develop Beypore and Azhikkal ports.

·         The government announced it will introduce E passports that will carry biometric information in a chip, in its step to check the misuse of passports.

·         Britain introduced criteria that require British employers to prove they cannot fill skilled posts with residents or European workers.

·         Mukesh Ambani’s residence, a 27 storey skyscraper in Mumbai will be the world's most expensive home at a price tag of US$2 billion - Forbes magazine.

·         One in three Keralites benefit by NRK remittances according to Centre for Development Studies in Thiruvananthapuram. Gulf remittances form almost a third of Kerala's income, most of which is spent on housing or savings.

Investments

Stock Market

Stocks are suffering from high inflation, fiscal deficit, high oil prices and FIIs’ consistent selling. Inflation has now crossed 11.4% and RBI has taken tough measures (rate hikes) to combat it, which again is not good for the market. Markets are expected to recover when inflation (or at least Crude Oil) cools off. Although valuations look cheap, further downside is possible given local and global risks.

 

Dollar

RBI has increased the key rates and expected to further hike them to fight inflation, which will make Rupee appreciate & dollar depreciate while FII outflow from stock market will have the reverse effect.

Real Estate - Jains Tufnell Park, Kakkanad

One of the biggest residential projects in Cochin, comprising of 1216 apartments. Tie-up with the State Bank of India (SBI) to offer a unique funding scheme where the customer pays  15% of the total flat cost and for the next 36 months or till handing over he does not pay anything. The Builders will pay the Pre EMI, EMI and interest for the first 3 years and the customer starts paying only after 3 years. In other words for loan period of 20 years, customer need to pay only for 17 years. Please contact SBI Home Loan Team at 9447788755 (Sreekumar Moosath), 9446511880, 9446578923

Money Transfer Schemes of SBI

SBI offers remittances to India through multiple channels. You can select the mode of remittance based on the time within which you need to remit to India.

Instant Transfer:

Instant Transfer is a real time rupee transfer facility to your / beneficiary's account maintained with SBI in India. The account may be held in any one of the 4500 Core Banking Branches. All branches in Kerala eligible.  Available at SBI foreign branch offices only. Amount in converted into Rupees and account is credited within 3 to 10 minutes.

SBI Express Remit:

You need not go to your bank or deliver cheques. You can transfer money from your account with any bank in US or UK to account in India thru Internet sitting at home. Register for this facility at www.onlinesbi.com/gls. After registration, simply log into the same website and transfer money. The scheme offers - Best exchange rates, Direct credit to over 4500 SBI branches in India including all branches in Kerala, Nil Charges*, Facility of credit to accounts held in other banks in India also.

SBI Express:

SBI Express enables NRIs to send rupee remittances from a host of countries. The beneficiary in India can receive the remittance to account held in any Kerala branch within 24 hours OR if is not having account with us, Draft will be sent to the bank. It is available at all major Exchange Companies in Gulf except KSA and selected foreign branches. You have to visit them and instruct them to do the transfer.

SWIFT / Wire Transfer/TT:

NRIs can send remittances to India using SBI's foreign branches or a vast network of 600 correspondent banks across the globe. The remittance can be sent to the beneficiary's branch directly. If SWIFT code is not available for your branch, you can select a SWIFT code of any SBI branch in Kerala (eg – Swift code of SBI OB Kochi Branch SBININBB128), which will handle the SWIFT transaction and transfer the funds to your beneficiary's account.

Draft / Cashier's Cheques / Foreign Currency Cheques:

If a remittance is sent as a demand draft/cheque, the beneficiary can deposit it at his SBI branch. The draft/cheque will be sent collection. After collection, the proceeds will be deposited in the account. DDs issued by Exchange companies in Gulf are immediately credited. Also Currency notes and Travelers cheques accepted. Drafts in foreign currency/ Rupee can also be sent to SBI Branch by post for credit of fixed deposit account or SB a/c in Rupees.

List of Exchange Companies in Gulf with Phone Numbers:

UAE - Emirates India International Exchange +971-4-22332258, UAE Exchange +971-26105616, Thomas Cook Al Rostamani Exchange +971-42141447, KUWAIT – Kuwait India International Exchange +965-2422678, 2453398, 2456082, QATAR - Trust Exchange +974-4352055/56 , 4352057, OMAN - Mustafa Sultan Exchange +968-24707025, KSA - AL RAJHI EXCHANGE +966(2)6700260 +966(2)6716419, BAHRAIN - Bahrain India International Exchange  +973 17210330/17210440

 

Visit www.onlinesbi.com/nri and www.sbi.co.in for more details

Perception

Two guys are walking thru the woods and come across this big deep hole.

"Wow...that looks deep."

"Sure does... toss a few pebbles in there and see how deep it is."

They pick up a few pebbles and throw them in and wait... no noise.

"That is REALLY deep... here.. throw one of these great big rocks down there. Those should make a noise."

They pick up a couple of football-sized rocks and toss them into the hole and wait... and wait. Nothing.

They look at each other in amazement. One gets a determined look on his face and says, "Hey...over here in the weeds, there's a railroad tie. Help me carry it over here. When we toss THAT in, it's should make some noise."

The two drag the very heavy railroad tie over to the hole and heave it in.  Not a sound comes from the hole.

Suddenly, out of the nearby woods, a goat appears, running like the wind. It rushes toward the two men, then right past them, running as fast as it's legs will carry it. Suddenly it leaps in the air and into the hole.

The two men are astonished with what they've just seen................

Then, out of the woods comes a farmer who spots the men and asks "Hey... you two guys seen my goat out here?" "Yes we did! Craziest thing I ever seen. It came running like crazy and just jumped into this hole!"

"No", says the farmer, "That couldn't have been MY goat. My goat was chained to a railroad tie."