A businessman from England who is presently living in Dubai gave us a bit of worrisome news while on the dhow ride...the rules on renewing tourist visas had changed. He told us of several co-workers who had gone out and when they came back to the border they were told they went out too early. Their visa was still good so they would not qualify to get another one - they would have to come back in a few days when their visa expired.
We had left the UAE a day before the visa expired and he said we would have the same trouble at the border.
Two very nice men from Pakistan were assigned to take us back to Dubai. We told them what we had heard and they said, no problem. They knew all the agents at the UAE passport office.
When we entered the office these men were greeting all the workers, shaking hands, laughing and talking. It was helpful to us that they spoke English and Arabic. (And probably a few more languages as well). Sure enough, when our passports were handed back to us the stamp said it was good for another 30 days.
We were grateful for their help. Not completely sure if we needed help but we will never know for sure. Just very happy we didn't have to drive to the border again as well as pay the fees again. We do know for sure there is a fine if you don't renew...100 dirham a day per person when you leave the country.
We are good to go until we leave on January 3rd.
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