(By a Staff Reporter) – Khaleej Times - 14 August 2008
DUBAI - Emirates passengers travelling to Dubai during the month of Ramadan can enjoy two nights accommodation for as little as $57 (approx Dh209) a night per person.
According to a Press release, the offer, which runs from September 1 to September 30, involves six select hotels in Dubai, including the Marco Polo Hotel, Novotel World Trade Centre Dubai and Hyatt Regency Dubai.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Big Family + Small Flat= No Residence Visa!
(By Mary Nammour) – Khaleej Times- 14 August 2008
DUBAI - Do you stay in a small accommodation with a large family? It's likely your application will be rejected the next time around you apply for renewal of your family's residency visas. The renewal of residency visas for families is now linked to the size of the family and the size of the accommodation they are staying in, said Brigadier Obeid Muheir bin Suroor, Acting Director of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).
Speaking to Khaleej Times, the official stressed that the DNRD would not be issuing or renewing residency visas for families unless they were staying in a 'proper accommodation'. The DNRD official had said earlier this week that tenancy contract was not a prerequisite in Dubai for renewal of residency visas. However, he has now clarified that providing accommodation to the sponsored persons is an absolute must. Talking to KT, Bin Suroor said, 'We don't get into such details as asking for the tenancy contract, but we ensure that whoever applies for a residency visa for his family, first has accommodation available for himself. Otherwise, the visa application gets rejected.'
Bin Suroor said his department had now become strict on the accommodation condition for residency visa applications. 'When applying for the residency visa for family members, the applicant must furnish proof that he has a proper place to accommodate the family. This proof can be a tenancy contract or a letter from the person's sponsoring company stating it has provided accommodation for the applicant's family. The accommodation can be located in a building, a hotel apartment or a separate house,' he said. 'The space where the person lives should match the size of the family. If the applicant is living in a studio flat, he can't apply for residence visas for a family of many children.' However, when queried about the specifics like how many children for different sizes of flats he said there weren't specific / particular guidelines to be followed by the department in this regard.
He, however, said that DNRD would be looking precisely into the accommodation proof and the 'accommodation feasibility' for the members of family.
DUBAI - Do you stay in a small accommodation with a large family? It's likely your application will be rejected the next time around you apply for renewal of your family's residency visas. The renewal of residency visas for families is now linked to the size of the family and the size of the accommodation they are staying in, said Brigadier Obeid Muheir bin Suroor, Acting Director of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).
Speaking to Khaleej Times, the official stressed that the DNRD would not be issuing or renewing residency visas for families unless they were staying in a 'proper accommodation'. The DNRD official had said earlier this week that tenancy contract was not a prerequisite in Dubai for renewal of residency visas. However, he has now clarified that providing accommodation to the sponsored persons is an absolute must. Talking to KT, Bin Suroor said, 'We don't get into such details as asking for the tenancy contract, but we ensure that whoever applies for a residency visa for his family, first has accommodation available for himself. Otherwise, the visa application gets rejected.'
Bin Suroor said his department had now become strict on the accommodation condition for residency visa applications. 'When applying for the residency visa for family members, the applicant must furnish proof that he has a proper place to accommodate the family. This proof can be a tenancy contract or a letter from the person's sponsoring company stating it has provided accommodation for the applicant's family. The accommodation can be located in a building, a hotel apartment or a separate house,' he said. 'The space where the person lives should match the size of the family. If the applicant is living in a studio flat, he can't apply for residence visas for a family of many children.' However, when queried about the specifics like how many children for different sizes of flats he said there weren't specific / particular guidelines to be followed by the department in this regard.
He, however, said that DNRD would be looking precisely into the accommodation proof and the 'accommodation feasibility' for the members of family.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Six-Month Jail For Assaulting Worker
(By Salah Al Deberkey) (Khaleej Times Report)13 August 2008
FUJAIRAH - Upholding the verdict of the lower court, the Fujairah Court of Appeal on Tuesday sentenced a UAE national to six months in jail, for assaulting and severely injuring an Indian worker. The court ruled that the complainant had the right to claim compensation as well.
Stephan Mahendran, an Indian technician, had filed a lawsuit against UAE national Khalfan Sayyed, charging the latter with hitting him brutally on his face, after which he bled too much and suffered critical damage in the retina of his left eye. The injury was confirmed by an official medical report.
Sayyed, on his part, said he hit Mahendran after the latter committed a mistake while doing some maintenance works at his house. He was referred to the Public Prosecution, which charged him with assaulting Mahendran, and inadvertently causing him a permanent disability in his left eye.
FUJAIRAH - Upholding the verdict of the lower court, the Fujairah Court of Appeal on Tuesday sentenced a UAE national to six months in jail, for assaulting and severely injuring an Indian worker. The court ruled that the complainant had the right to claim compensation as well.
Stephan Mahendran, an Indian technician, had filed a lawsuit against UAE national Khalfan Sayyed, charging the latter with hitting him brutally on his face, after which he bled too much and suffered critical damage in the retina of his left eye. The injury was confirmed by an official medical report.
Sayyed, on his part, said he hit Mahendran after the latter committed a mistake while doing some maintenance works at his house. He was referred to the Public Prosecution, which charged him with assaulting Mahendran, and inadvertently causing him a permanent disability in his left eye.
UAE Leaders Greet Pakistan, India on Independence Day
By Afkar Abdullah (Khaleej Times Report)13 August 2008
SHARJAH - The country's openness, its economic development and its strategic location between drugs-producing and consuming countries has, of late, made UAE a key transit point for transhipment of contraband drugs. This was stated on Tuesday by Brig. Yousif Al Addidi, head of the Anti-Narcotics Unit in Dubai Police.
He, however, refused to mention the names of the drugs-producing and consuming countries.
According to statistics compiled by Sharjah Police, 1,943 people of various nationalities were arrested in 1,112 drug trafficking cases from 1998 to 2007. During the last year, 895kg of hashish, 6.2kg of heroin, 6.5kg of cocaine and 4,104 capsules of various other drugs were seized in Sharjah alone.
The biggest quantity of hashish weighing 2,031kg was seized in 2001 in the emirate. Drug offences in the emirate are punishable by terms ranging from a minimum of 15 years to life sentence, or even death sentence depending on the case.
SHARJAH - The country's openness, its economic development and its strategic location between drugs-producing and consuming countries has, of late, made UAE a key transit point for transhipment of contraband drugs. This was stated on Tuesday by Brig. Yousif Al Addidi, head of the Anti-Narcotics Unit in Dubai Police.
He, however, refused to mention the names of the drugs-producing and consuming countries.
According to statistics compiled by Sharjah Police, 1,943 people of various nationalities were arrested in 1,112 drug trafficking cases from 1998 to 2007. During the last year, 895kg of hashish, 6.2kg of heroin, 6.5kg of cocaine and 4,104 capsules of various other drugs were seized in Sharjah alone.
The biggest quantity of hashish weighing 2,031kg was seized in 2001 in the emirate. Drug offences in the emirate are punishable by terms ranging from a minimum of 15 years to life sentence, or even death sentence depending on the case.
Butchery Shut Down For Selling Stale Meat
By Anwar Ahmad (Khaleej Times Report) 13 August 2008
ABU DHABI - The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority shut down a 24-hour-open butchery outlet in a shopping centre in the capital on Tuesday after seizing 30kg of meat not suitable for human consumption.
The butchery outlet failed to adhere to the authority's prescribed hygiene and health standards.
The authority's inspectors confirmed that the outlet was found flouting the rules for the third time in six months, an official said.
ABU DHABI - The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority shut down a 24-hour-open butchery outlet in a shopping centre in the capital on Tuesday after seizing 30kg of meat not suitable for human consumption.
The butchery outlet failed to adhere to the authority's prescribed hygiene and health standards.
The authority's inspectors confirmed that the outlet was found flouting the rules for the third time in six months, an official said.
Cooperative Society Offers 50 Per Cent Cheaper Items
(By a staff reporter) (Khaleej Times Report)13 August 2008
AL AIN - Al Ain Cooperative Society's products are now being offered at its shelves at half the market rates. Compared to the prices at which they are being sold in Al Ain markets, they are tagged at prices which are almost 50 per cent cheaper. This was announced on Tuesday by Wala'a Adil Rashid, Deputy Director Manager of Al Ain Cooperative Society.
Wala'a said these products carry the trade mark of Al Ain Cooperative Society. "The products include tissue papers, mineral water, frozen vegetables, powder soap, antiseptics etc.," he said.
The Society will soon offer oil and powdered milk at 50 per cent cheaper prices, he added.
"The Society will also offer rice and chicken that are 10 per cent cheaper," Wala'a said. Wala'a said the decision, taken in consultation with the Ministry of Economy (MoE), was aimed at providing relief to Al Ain residents, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
He said some supermarkets and shopping centres in Al Ain had hiked prices of essential foodstuffs and Ramadan commodities, despite the warning of the MoE.
AL AIN - Al Ain Cooperative Society's products are now being offered at its shelves at half the market rates. Compared to the prices at which they are being sold in Al Ain markets, they are tagged at prices which are almost 50 per cent cheaper. This was announced on Tuesday by Wala'a Adil Rashid, Deputy Director Manager of Al Ain Cooperative Society.
Wala'a said these products carry the trade mark of Al Ain Cooperative Society. "The products include tissue papers, mineral water, frozen vegetables, powder soap, antiseptics etc.," he said.
The Society will soon offer oil and powdered milk at 50 per cent cheaper prices, he added.
"The Society will also offer rice and chicken that are 10 per cent cheaper," Wala'a said. Wala'a said the decision, taken in consultation with the Ministry of Economy (MoE), was aimed at providing relief to Al Ain residents, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
He said some supermarkets and shopping centres in Al Ain had hiked prices of essential foodstuffs and Ramadan commodities, despite the warning of the MoE.
Insurance Cost To Vary With 3 Types of Visit Visas
By Mary Nammour (Khaleej Times Report)13 August 2008
DUBAI - People seeking Dubai entry permits under the newly-enforced visa rules can choose from three types of traveller health insurance policies according to the duration of their stay.
According to the Acting Director of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), Brigadier Obeid Muheir bin Suroor, 'Newcomers to the UAE will have to select one of the three types of insurance policies depending on the duration of the visit. There will be an insurance policy costing Dh40 for the 30-day short visit visa. The insurance policy accompanying the long-term entry permit for 90-day visit would cost Dh90, while the 180-day multiple entry visit visa would be linked to Dh185 insurance policy.'
The three types of health insurance policies to be offered by two insurance companies - Oman Insurance and Dubai Islamic Insurance and Reinsurance Company (AMAN) - would be available by next week at the DNRD premises, he added.
An agreement was signed to this effect by DNRD and the two insurance companies.
Under the agreement, the insurance policy to be provided to visit visa applicants would be limited to the UAE. 'The beneficiary will receive treatment at a hospital in case of an accident or emergency. The insurance policy will cover 100 per cent of services offered to the patient, including hospital accommodation, diagnostics fees, surgery, anaesthesiology, aid for emergency situations leading to hospitalisation. The drugs and medicines needed for treatment inside the hospital will also be covered,' he pointed out.
The costs of rehabilitation treatment, dental treatment for damage caused by accidents will also be covered by the insurance policy during the visitor's stay. In case of death of the insured person, the insurance companies would repatriate the body to his/her country by bearing up to Dh7,000 of the expenses. 'The traveller health insurance policy will not cover chronic illnesses, nor situations such as pregnancy and child birth, ophthalmology or dental treatment. However, it will cover emergency treatment of serious complications of already existing chronic illnesses,' he clarified.
Oman and Aman insurance companies will from next week offer services at the DNRD's main headquarters in Jaffliya. Counters will also be set at DNRD extension centres in Abu Hail, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai International Airport, Dnata Passport Section on Shaikh Zayed Road, Umm Suqeim and Bin Sougat.
mary@khaleejtimes.com
· Health insurance cover for the 30-day visit visa is Dh40.
· Health insurance cover for the 90-day visit visa is Dh90.
· Price of health insurance cover for the multiple entry 180-day visit visas is Dh185.
· The geographical coverage area of the insurance is limited to the UAE.
· No coverage of chronic illnesses.
· In case of death, the insurance company would repatriate of the body and bear up to Dh7,000 of the cost.
DUBAI - People seeking Dubai entry permits under the newly-enforced visa rules can choose from three types of traveller health insurance policies according to the duration of their stay.
According to the Acting Director of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), Brigadier Obeid Muheir bin Suroor, 'Newcomers to the UAE will have to select one of the three types of insurance policies depending on the duration of the visit. There will be an insurance policy costing Dh40 for the 30-day short visit visa. The insurance policy accompanying the long-term entry permit for 90-day visit would cost Dh90, while the 180-day multiple entry visit visa would be linked to Dh185 insurance policy.'
The three types of health insurance policies to be offered by two insurance companies - Oman Insurance and Dubai Islamic Insurance and Reinsurance Company (AMAN) - would be available by next week at the DNRD premises, he added.
An agreement was signed to this effect by DNRD and the two insurance companies.
Under the agreement, the insurance policy to be provided to visit visa applicants would be limited to the UAE. 'The beneficiary will receive treatment at a hospital in case of an accident or emergency. The insurance policy will cover 100 per cent of services offered to the patient, including hospital accommodation, diagnostics fees, surgery, anaesthesiology, aid for emergency situations leading to hospitalisation. The drugs and medicines needed for treatment inside the hospital will also be covered,' he pointed out.
The costs of rehabilitation treatment, dental treatment for damage caused by accidents will also be covered by the insurance policy during the visitor's stay. In case of death of the insured person, the insurance companies would repatriate the body to his/her country by bearing up to Dh7,000 of the expenses. 'The traveller health insurance policy will not cover chronic illnesses, nor situations such as pregnancy and child birth, ophthalmology or dental treatment. However, it will cover emergency treatment of serious complications of already existing chronic illnesses,' he clarified.
Oman and Aman insurance companies will from next week offer services at the DNRD's main headquarters in Jaffliya. Counters will also be set at DNRD extension centres in Abu Hail, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai International Airport, Dnata Passport Section on Shaikh Zayed Road, Umm Suqeim and Bin Sougat.
mary@khaleejtimes.com
· Health insurance cover for the 30-day visit visa is Dh40.
· Health insurance cover for the 90-day visit visa is Dh90.
· Price of health insurance cover for the multiple entry 180-day visit visas is Dh185.
· The geographical coverage area of the insurance is limited to the UAE.
· No coverage of chronic illnesses.
· In case of death, the insurance company would repatriate of the body and bear up to Dh7,000 of the cost.
New Visa Fees (DNRD)
The New Visa Fee Structure published as per the Department of Naturalization and Residency, Dubai (DNRD) (CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)See details at Official Site
http://www.dnrd.gov.ae/DNRD/News%20And%20Events/News_Detail?id=309
International Health Insurance Valid For UAE Visa Applications
Brigadier Obaid Mehayer Bin Suroor, Acting Director of Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD), announced that entry permit applicants who are covered by international health insurance policies are not required to have a local one. Brig. Bin Suroor spoke during a meeting with authorities of free zones as part of the ongoing efforts to communicate the new visa regulations and requirements to all private and public establishments. According to Bin Suroor, the new rules stipulated that free zone companies or groups of companies must immediately set the processes for medical insurance that they will use for the applications of visa for their visitors, be it individuals or groups, and only then they can submit their visa applications to DNRD and have them approved and processed. The Acting Director of DNRD confirmed that that the new system offered excellent facilities for establishments especially government entities which are required to present a letter undertaking the complete responsibility for the medical expenses of their guests in case of emergencies in the UAE. One letter is sufficient when applying for visas for an individual or a group, by any particular company or group of companies. It is worth mentioning that the DNRD is continuing the process of officially informing all companies about the mechanism of financial deposits as mentioned under the ministerial rule 322/2008 regarding entry and residency of foreigners. The meeting was attended by Ahmed Abdullah Mosaed, Assistant Manager of Financial Affairs; Colonel Bader Salem, Director of Investigation and Follow-up Department at DNRD; Major Mohammed Al Hammadi, Manager, Entry Permits Department; and Khaleefa Balqoubaa, Assistant Manager of External Centres
Monday, August 11, 2008
Visa Regulations Leave Insurers Scrambling
By Shakir Husain, Staff Reporter (Gulf News) Published: August 11, 2008, 23:23
Dubai: The government's revamping of visa requirements that came into effect July 29 caught UAE health insurance companies off guard. Under the new regulations, visitors to the UAE are required to purchase health coverage as a condition of obtaining visit visas. Residents of 34 countries, mainly those from Europe and North America, are exempt from this health insurance rule.
Because of the change and the rushed manner in which the visa rules were brought into effect, the UAE companies have been scrambling to develop proper health-insurance plans.
Coordination
"The government should have coordinated with the insurance community well in advance, providing the guidelines and regulations so that we could have prepared the products and procedures to meet the rules," one Dubai insurance official told Gulf News, requesting anonymity. "That was not the case. That's why a lot of the companies are now preparing products on their own."
Most insurance companies have either started selling - or are in the process of launching - the mandatory policies for visiting foreigners, industry sources said yesterday. For those arriving without health insurance cover, policies are also available at points of entry. Insurance companies said they will also offer these schemes online for purchase. And because of the rush to develop these products, a consensus is developing in the insurance community that the new plans should only cover basic emergency medical needs. And premiums would be kept low.
National Health Insurance Company (Daman) offers three schemes valid for 30, 60 and 90 days at premiums of Dh40, Dh70 and Dh90 respectively. This covers emergency medical treatment at Daman's UAE network, with the upper limit being Dh100,000 per person. This narrow coverage would exclude out-patient consultations and services such as dental care and child delivery.
Gopal Babu, underwriting manager at Dubai Insurance and Reinsurance Company, said his company's visa plan would be basic. "We are planning to launch our scheme soon," he said. "It is intended for emergency medical expenses at select hospitals only."
New regulations
People entering the UAE on a visit or tourist visa need not buy health insurance again locally if they are already covered internationally, a senior official from the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) said yesterday. Brigadier Obaid Mehayer Bin Surour, Acting Director of DNRD, explained the new visa regulations and requirements to all private and public companies during a meeting with Free Zones authorities.
He said under the new rules, establishments, especially government companies, are required to present a letter undertaking complete responsibility for the medical expenses of their guests in case of emergencies in the UAE. Bin Surour said under the new rules, companies must immediately state the process for medical insurance that they will use when applying for visas for their visitors. Only then can they submit their visa applications to the DNRD and have them approved and processed, he said.
Dubai: The government's revamping of visa requirements that came into effect July 29 caught UAE health insurance companies off guard. Under the new regulations, visitors to the UAE are required to purchase health coverage as a condition of obtaining visit visas. Residents of 34 countries, mainly those from Europe and North America, are exempt from this health insurance rule.
Because of the change and the rushed manner in which the visa rules were brought into effect, the UAE companies have been scrambling to develop proper health-insurance plans.
Coordination
"The government should have coordinated with the insurance community well in advance, providing the guidelines and regulations so that we could have prepared the products and procedures to meet the rules," one Dubai insurance official told Gulf News, requesting anonymity. "That was not the case. That's why a lot of the companies are now preparing products on their own."
Most insurance companies have either started selling - or are in the process of launching - the mandatory policies for visiting foreigners, industry sources said yesterday. For those arriving without health insurance cover, policies are also available at points of entry. Insurance companies said they will also offer these schemes online for purchase. And because of the rush to develop these products, a consensus is developing in the insurance community that the new plans should only cover basic emergency medical needs. And premiums would be kept low.
National Health Insurance Company (Daman) offers three schemes valid for 30, 60 and 90 days at premiums of Dh40, Dh70 and Dh90 respectively. This covers emergency medical treatment at Daman's UAE network, with the upper limit being Dh100,000 per person. This narrow coverage would exclude out-patient consultations and services such as dental care and child delivery.
Gopal Babu, underwriting manager at Dubai Insurance and Reinsurance Company, said his company's visa plan would be basic. "We are planning to launch our scheme soon," he said. "It is intended for emergency medical expenses at select hospitals only."
New regulations
People entering the UAE on a visit or tourist visa need not buy health insurance again locally if they are already covered internationally, a senior official from the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) said yesterday. Brigadier Obaid Mehayer Bin Surour, Acting Director of DNRD, explained the new visa regulations and requirements to all private and public companies during a meeting with Free Zones authorities.
He said under the new rules, establishments, especially government companies, are required to present a letter undertaking complete responsibility for the medical expenses of their guests in case of emergencies in the UAE. Bin Surour said under the new rules, companies must immediately state the process for medical insurance that they will use when applying for visas for their visitors. Only then can they submit their visa applications to the DNRD and have them approved and processed, he said.
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