Diplomatic row leads to hefty fees, visa rules for Canadians in UAE

Fri, 31 Dec 2010

Dubai - Starting Sunday, Canadians traveling to the United Arab Emirates will be hit with new visa rules that include charges up to 1,000 US dollars and a requirement to apply for a visa 15 days prior to their trip.

According to the Emirates-based Gulf News, the move comes in reaction to souring relations between the UAE and Canada after the latter refused to give the Etihad and Emirates airlines more than their six flights per week into Canada.

Prior to the new regulations, Canadians did not have to apply for visas in advance and could enter the UAE free of charge.

A 30-day visa is now set to cost around 250 dollars, while a six- month, multiple-entry visa will come at a price of 1,000 dollars starting on January 2.

The new rules will, however, likely not apply to the roughly 25,000 Canadians living in the UAE, since most already possess residence permits, according to Gulf News.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/360249,visa-rules-canadians-uae.html.