UAE TO REQUIRE VISAS FOR DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL TRAVELERS

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000503 DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/SCA/EX, ALSO FOR SCA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS APER AMGT AE AF SUBJECT: UAE TO REQUIRE VISAS FOR DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL TRAVELERS FROM OCTOBER 1, 2009 ¶1. THIS CABLE CONTAINS AN ACTION REQUEST IN PARA 5. ¶2. On May 18, 2009, Ambassador, accompanied by Conchief, was summoned to meet with UAE MFA Director for Consular Affairs Ambassador Sultan Mohammed Al Qortasi. Al Qortasi provided a diplomatic note announcing that, effective October 1, 2009, the UAEG will require persons traveling on diplomatic and official passports to obtain visas before travel to the UAE. (Note: The UAE currently allows private and official Americans visa-free entry to the UAE for stays of up to 30 days. There has been no change announced for persons traveling on regular passports. End Note.) ¶3. Al Qortasi explained that MFA and Ministry of Interior (MOI) are still discussing implementation details, and said that the UAEG welcomes USG comments and feedback on this change. Ambassador expressed hope that multiple entry visas would be routinely issued, and pointed out that many USG officials frequently travel to/thorough the UAE, making particular note of USG personnel transiting to/from Afghanistan. He presented this extensive travel as mutually beneficial, pointing out the UAE regional interests served by US engagement, as well as the financial benefit to the UAE (hotels, air travel, etc.) Ambassador also highlighted the occasional need for large-scale personnel movements with little or no advance notice, using the example of departure status at a regional post. Al Qortasi said that the latter could be "handled on a case by case basis." Al Qortasi said that feedback and input on this policy change should be provided to him or via the UAE Ambassador in Washington. ¶4. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has also received notification of this change. In response, the GOC has set up a team to look at the possibility of allowing visa-free travel to Canada for UAE nationals in an effort to encourage a reciprocal UAE policy for Canadians. The team is due to arrive in Abu Dhabi in late May, and post expects to meet with them during their visit. ¶5. COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST: As the UAEG is several months away from implementation and has solicited our input, post requests Department (and other missions') guidance on specific policies that would be helpful or damaging to USG interests. END COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST. OLSON