Hi Sponge Monkey
I can only speak for my case. My mum is staying in Dubai for 43 days and her visa is for 30. By renewing your visa in Dubai at one of the immigration offices, you pay about 700Dhs. The Hatta run only costs 200Dhs. As my mum flew into AD but we live in Dubai, i called the Dubai Immigration office, the AD immigration office, had my company PRO call them and also my husbands PRO actually went to the Dubai office. All 4 scenarios came back with different information. There was no consistency what so ever by any of these people. Some said you have 10days extra then it's 100Dhs a day after that which you could pay at the airport on your way out, another said the 100Dhs fine starts on day 31, another said you could extend in Dubai even though she flew into AD, Dubai office said she could extend at AD airport, and AD airport said she would have to go to AD Immigration office...see what i mean!!
Therefore i've decided to do the run because i know this will definately get her the extension she needs.
It's crazy how all these 'official' departments have different information but having lived in Dubai for 4 years i really shouldn't have been suprised.
In simple terms - for someone who knows very little about this - WHY do people go and do the Hatta run to extend their visitor's visa?
Is it because they are doing this more than once?
Is it a cost thing?
Is it a passport thing?
I was told by DNRD that you could go to any DNRD Dept and do it there without leaving the country?
Does anyone have a link that works for the DNRD here?
<em>edited by spongemonkey on 18/10/2011</em>
we go on fridays... we are actually going this friday. last time we left the house around 1pm and total took about 4hrs... from the house back to the house... no lines or anything. just a lot of stops/check points and getting in and out of the car... i think the hrs are 24 hrs... dont knwo that for sure but its a border crossing... i dont see how they could just close down?
Same road, just look to your right on the waste area about 5 mins past checkpoint and you will see them. The young man is from Afghanistan and you will get a real bargain. We bought some v. large pots for about 6 dirhams each and a 'huge' carpet for 200 dirhams. He also has other bits and bobs.
MrsChef,
I went on a Friday a couple of weeks ago and it was fine, not too busy. Left about 9.30am.
Have a look at the carpet/pot/plant sellers 5 mins from the last border check coming back. Some lovely bargains there if you haggle a bit...:)
Thanks Rubic. Unfortunately, i can only go on Friday as i'm working full time. Might combine the trip with a detour to the Plant souq i've just read about - got to do something fun after that long drive :-)
No its the Hatta Road that takes you to the border. Out past DragonMart. Friday is usually busy. I try to go another day, but if you do go early you might beat the crowds. It takes me about 3.5 to 4 hours the return trip when I go with my son
i've read all the other threads about extending a visit visa which all contained useful information. My mum landed in Abu Dhabi but i live in Dubai. We need to extend her visa as she's staying for 43 days. Myself and husband collectively spoke to 5 different people yesterday from AD airport, AD immigration, Dubai immigration and our company PRO's - EVERY ONE GIVING A DIFFERENT ANSWER on how she can renew (i was trying to avoid having to go to AD).
Anyway, because no one in an official capacity can give us a straight answer, i've decided to do a run to Oman this Friday(the one that's near the Hatta Fort Hotel?!). I'm assuming all border control timings don't change just because it's a Friday? Has anyone been on a Friday before and dare i ask...were the queue's big? I'm planning an early start so hoping to beat crowds! It's the same road that the Outlet mall and rugby Sevens ground isn't it?! The Al Ain road?