Citizens from the 33 countries which currently receive entry permits on arrival will largely be unaffected by the new rules. No matter what the purpose of their visit they will be granted an entry visa free of charge which is valid for one month.

The only difference is that these entry permits can only be renewed for an additional 30 days rather than 60 days at a cost of 620 dirhams

Those wishing to stay more than two months can apply for a long-term visit visa which is valid for three months.

Nationals from exempt countries are not required to pay deposits or have health insurance.

The following nations are exempt: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, US and Vatican City.

Nationals of all countries that are not exempt are eligible to apply for a tourist visa. A tourist visa is valid for one month at a cost of 100 dirhams. It can be renewed for a further month for an additional 500 dirhams. The visas are issued directly by travel agents and companies in the tourism industry such as hotels.

Expatriates living in the GCC can obtain a one month entry visa for 100 dirhams which can be renewed for a second month for an additional 500 dirhams.

Visit visas: There are two types of visit visas. Short-term visit visas can be obtained for one month for 500 dirhams. Long-terms ones, issued for three months, are non-renewable and cost 1000 dirhams.

The new regulations allow residents to sponsor their spouses and direct relatives. Distant relatives can only be sponsored after obtaining approval from the Ministry of Interior’s under secretary.

Only Emiratis are permitted to sponsor friends.

A visit visa does not permit visitors to work in the country. If they do find a job they must return to their home country before returning on a work permit. Officials will not grant visit visas to those who reapply immediately after leaving.

Financial deposits and health insurance are prerequisites for obtaining any of the 16 types of visa, including tourist visa except for citizens of the exempt countries.

No visitor to the UAE will be allowed to return for at least one month after they exit the country. "Those who enter the country on a visit visa cannot get new visas unless the person exits the country and stays out for at least a month."