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UAE e-visa mandatory for expats in Oman: Report

Muscat - The new rules are designed to reduce queues at border points

More than 1.5 million expatriate residents of Oman will need an e-visa to cross the border into the UAE whether by land or air.
Last Thursday, Times of Oman (TOO) had reported that the online e-visa requirement for GCC expats to travel into the UAE will become mandatory from April 29.
Speaking to TOO, Captain Khalil Ibrahim, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, said that effective April 29, 2016 all GCC residents/permit holders will need to pre-apply for an on-line visa prior to their travel to UAE.
The changes will apply to both air and land travellers, he said, warning that those who do not have an e-visa will be turned away.
He explained that the goal of the new system is to cut down queues at the borders and airports.
According to the report, there have been mixed reactions to the compulsory e-visa ever since it was confirmed by the UAE officials. Amid talks on the pros and cons of the e-visa, travel agents fear that this new rule may hit their business as lots of last minute meetings and business plans might not happen.

In October last year, the UAE introduced the changes related to entry to the emirates for expatriates living in the GCC countries. Under the rules, regardless of the profession, expatriates have to apply online for an e-visa. 
Residents can apply for permits through the 'Fawri' portal on the ministry's website, www.moi.gov.ae.
You can get visa on arrival if you are ...
. Businessmen, investors, partners and company managers and representatives
. Accountants, auditors, doctors, engineers, lawyers and legal advisers
. Public sector workers other than labourers
. Family members of the above-mentioned individuals or entities
. Foreign family members of GCC nationals, their sponsored helpers and escorts
. GCC truck drivers transporting goods from any of the GCC countries