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Three Surprises greeted me this New Year.
1. Residence Visa Rules have changed? The immigration staff says “10,000 is OK” for Dependents Residence Renewal.
2. Large number of newly setup Special counters for visa cancellation, the recession is in our door steps.
3. Even though my wife is with me in Dubai, the immigration system says she is out of the country!
I went to the immigration to renew my wife’s residence visa expired in Nov. It was not so crowded as I expected after the holidays. I managed to get the application by the typing center in just 10 minutes. The counter was too not much crowded hardly 5 people in the queue. However the cancellation counter was crowded. I now hear from reliable sources that there are more than 1000 cancellations per day !

The lady at the counter asked for the Salary Certificate which I was told by the typing center it is not required for renewal. I returned with the Labour Contract same day evening (they work on a night shift till 8 pm). They have accepted the Salary Certificate.  As a matter of interest I have asked what is the current requirement. The immigration staff says “10,000 is OK”. Are they crazy? People are suffering from the economic slow down and this would be further blow to the businesses. I did not ask further questions to confirm whether the new law is already in place.

She was about to pass my application but then told my wife is “black listed”. “Where is she” I said “here staying with me”. “From when?” “Long time around 10 years” “No baba when did she enter the country?” I said October 1st 2008 if I remember correctly.

One day visit to Khasab proved problematic in Immigration’s systems. I remember it was a mad crowd at the border. It is quite possible that they have not entered it properly in their systems.  I have been asked to go to section 15 and then section 2. I have shuttled between those two and then back to the residence visa section without much luck. Now I have been asked to “go to the border and put exit stamp”. I have abandoned the venture and returned to my office. My PRO has assured that he could resolve the issue…Lets hope ….