UAE Community Blog: entering the UAE

15 September, 2008

entering the UAE

Recently the issue came up again, whether one can enter the UAE with an Israeli stamp in the passport. I know for a fact that this was not allowed previously. However, several clients in Europe have confirmed, that they have entered the UAE with Israeli stamps in their passports (repeatedly) and some even swear they entered with Israeli passports.

Of course I was surprised. Most travel guides will still carry a warning on entering the UAE with Israeli stamps in the passport.

So I checked some sources such as the Ministry of Interior and Immigration websites, the websites of various UAE embassies abroad - all of them have NO MENTION of any complications or laws concerning the Israeli stamp issue.
This morning I called the Immigration and checked with them and they confirmed, that it is no problem at all to enter the UAE if you have a stamp from Israel in the passport. When did this happen? I am sure I am not the only one who missed that Info!

On that note, did you know that there is a cash-limit of AED 40000 when entering the UAE? Any amount above that must be declared at Customs. (Never knew that one either)

28 comments:

Amjad said...: I seriously don't get how the immigration officers would be bothered to check every single page of every single passport they check to see if it has an Israeli stamp or not.

Regarding the cash limit, I guess it's common in most of, if not all, the countries. It's known that anything above $10,000 of cash with you should be declared in the customs...; 15 September, 2008 10:54
Anonymous said...: They have full right to have rules as they see fit; what gets to many of us is the hypocrisy/double standards, just 2 days back there wa a GN Article on how parents were "shocked" to find Israel's flag in a world flag list http://gulfnews.com/nation/General/10244672.html
A source said the spread of products that show the Israeli flag does indicate normalisation of ties with Israel.

He stressed that regardless of the repeated attempts of many countries to penetrate the UAE markets with Israeli products and others which display the Israeli flag or Star of David, Emirati society refuses to interact or recognise Israel.; 15 September, 2008 11:18
samuraisam said...: I think this has been the case for the past few years; expecting tourists with no interest in the UAE's relations with Israel to avoid travelling there just so that they can visit the UAE would be silly.; 15 September, 2008 11:40
BuJ said...: hmm, a case for double standards is not important, or new. however if the regulations changed then it's a bit more serious.; 15 September, 2008 13:50
Alexander said...: Wow. Thanks for that. Must remember next time to take no more than $10,000 with me. So often one travels, absent-mindedly, with ten times that in the laptop bag...; 15 September, 2008 14:23
Lirun said...: yay!

i will try to enter with my israeli passport and report back to you :)

a lot of israeli technology is sold into the emirates and eagerly lapped up..

i look fwd to visiting..

ahalan ya jam3; 15 September, 2008 15:35
Fall In Line.... said...: Lirun..shall I come to pick you up at the airport or will be happy to be escorted by the 'Men in Green'..!!; 15 September, 2008 16:26
Lirun said...: yalla taal maalesh..

:)

ahalan usahalan ya nas

salaam aleikum; 16 September, 2008 01:30
Dubai Jazz said...: No Sayret Matkals please....

No Katsas please....; 16 September, 2008 10:22
Anonymous said...: I bet Israeli's don't issue decrees and then fail to back them up like Dubai's rent rules go. Hell, at this point, I am more than happy to consider moving to Tel Aviv.

I went to the Dubai Municipality to be told that this is a Free Zone issue.. they have their own tribunal. Ah, wait a minute, you mean the landlords are the ones who settle the dispute? Nice.

You know what... you can take that decree and.. ah..

I give up.; 16 September, 2008 12:48
a question of a question said...: DE, didnt knew that your rent situation is still going on. sorry to hear about your predicament; 16 September, 2008 16:40
Anonymous said...: Not sure what's so special about this country, but all I see is that corruption, fine, crime, rape etc... has increased.

What used to be the "Old UAE" has been removed and demolished by ignorants that don't even carry a high school certificate.

If you feel like swindling money and transfer millions into your account in less than a year, then you're in the right place.; 16 September, 2008 17:19
Proud Emirati said...: quick move to Israel; 16 September, 2008 20:25
Anonymous said...: proud emirati,

On my way.. they are men of their words.; 16 September, 2008 21:50
B.D. said...: It's all about being tactful. There are some/many broad-minded policies adopted by the UAE government that go best unpublicized. Like the UAE's activities in Afghanistan, kept quiet for many years.; 16 September, 2008 23:00
Dubai Jazz said...: Dubai Entrepreneur

What's with all the cheerleading of Israel? You really think they follow up on their laws? You are either mislead or misinformed my fiend. The Higher Court of Israel issues numerous eviction orders every year to the illegal settlers in the West Bank, how many of those are followed-up? NONE! This is like some hippy campers coming to your freehold property in Dubai and setting up a permanent camp; would the UAE government do nothing about it?

Hell, the UAE even without air conditioning is much better and dignifying place than 'Israel'.; 17 September, 2008 00:13
Unknown said...: I think we should talk about the fact that Emiratis and Gulf Arabs have trouble entering Israel, God forbid they should want to visit the al Aqsa mosque! Can you say double-standards and hypocrisy?!?; 17 September, 2008 09:58
Anonymous said...: dubai jazz,

Yeah, maybe a bit more emotional than rational. But, believe me. When you experience the crap one goes through in this country, and the loopholes they find to screw you over with.. you can't help but occasionally get emotional.

However, when Sheikh Mohammed issues a decree saying rent is capped at 5% for 2008 and then his own baby (TECOM) don't follow the rule he himself decreed.. it does give you pause, doesn't it?; 17 September, 2008 10:38
Lirun said...: im sure if you were finally prepared to come out of your isrofriend closet and have open relations that you would find it much easier to visit us..

it would probably also help build trust and encourage the proliferation of peace processes region wide..; 17 September, 2008 22:59
Dubai Jazz said...: Lirun, spare me your youtubes and your propaganda. (or should I say shove it up your ass?)

Are you saying that all the eviction orders with regards to the illegal settlements in the west bank have been executed?

Come on, bring it on….; 17 September, 2008 23:14
Lirun said...: DJ
your penchant for leading discussions off the rails is by now world famous..

prepare that guest room mate - im going come and visit..

make sure you have your fridge fully stocked - my training makes me eat a lot..; 18 September, 2008 09:23
Fall In Line.... said...: Lirun, couldn't have said it better!; 18 September, 2008 10:03
Dubai Jazz said...: ^^^^^^^^
No Sayret Matkals please....

No Katsas please....; 18 September, 2008 13:30
Lirun said...: but is mossad ok?

;); 18 September, 2008 19:16
Kyle said...: I like reading comments, of course educated and civilized, nothing more nothing less.

Unfortunately, off-late, there is an immense decline in an intelligent debate, which is now replaced with personal attacks, ethnic slurs, the riding of hobby horses and the beating of dead ones. No wonder these have discouraged intelligent and open-minded people to refrain from posting and/or commenting in this blog.

One recent example here is people mocking instead of offering or recommending a solution when someone like (Dubai Entrepreneur) tells it like it is.

Makes me wonder about all those that mock him and others. Are they for real or just the devil in disguise?; 18 September, 2008 20:31
Kiwi Boy said...: But I don't understand why there's so much finger-pointing and fist-shaking going on. The UAE and Israel both have their own faults whether it be with the judicial system or the rent caps. Neither country is the purrrfect place to live.
I think what Lirun is trying to say is that despite these faults at the higher levels, we the people at the lower levels can still cooperate and associate with each other via business.

Honestly, stop scratching your old wounds already. The world is tired of your pointless shouting matches.; 19 September, 2008 13:46
Anonymous said...: UAE is still a land of opportunity and many people all around the world are excited to visit it. I am optimistic for this country, although I am not a local;however,I was born in it and I will never forget that this country took me with open hands, while my own country couldn't even provide me with basic needs. I witnessed the way it evolved through the years (34 years) and its amazing.This country is still new and its facing new challenges every day, mistakes happen,yet learning is always unlimited. Give it credit for the many positive attributes within it. Honestly, the only time I ever wept for an Arab Leader,is when H.H. Sheikh Zayed left this world "God bless his soul". Sheikh Zayed and his family should be honored for all the good deeds they have done to many people across the globe.; 22 September, 2008 02:57
BuJ said...: you speak the truth Anon.. God bless Sheikh Zayed may his soul rest in peace.. Allah yer7ama wo yekremah bil jannah. ameen.; 22 September, 2008 02:58