ABU DHABI, Aug 10: United Arab Emirates federal immigration officials said the proposed fee structure for 90-day entry permits and renewal has not been enforced, though approval for it had been obtained from higher authorities.

Immigration departments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai confirmed there was no change in existing fees regarding entry permits.

Cabinet decision No16 of 2005 relates to a number of items and not only to entry visas. Mechanisms for implementation will have to be worked out, an official spokesman said.

He said the decision, incorporating a Dirham 600 fee for a 90-day entry permit and Dh1,200 fee for renewal of a 90-day entry permit, was an amendment to the Cabinet Decree No6 of 1994. The revised fee structure relates to traffic and weapon-possession licensing, besides immigration and naturalization fees.

These fees have been published as part of a decision in the official gazette. But that, technically, does not mean immediate or otherwise implementation of fee structure, he explained. There is no change in fees now.

Officials speculated that a 90-day visa would be, among other things, part of the so-called Assignment Permit I system developed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Interior Ministry.

Under that system a foreign workforce will be able to work in the country without an employment visa.

Labour Ministry officials had earlier said the system was aimed at facilitating recruitment procedures required for employing temporary foreign workforce, which is in demand in the local market.—PPI