Address: American Embassy Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Embassy Hours: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Saturday through Wednesday.
Telephone: Tel: 971-2-436691
Fax: 971-2-435786
Web Address: http://www.usembabu.gov.ae/
Nonimmigrant visas: Application hours are 9:00 am to 10:30 am, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, except for U.S. and U.A.E. holidays. Applications submitted in person are generally processed for approval the following day. Every application must include a processing fee of 74DHS ($20 equivalent), payable at the time of application. Iranian applicants have to wait 30 days for a decision. With respect to Iranian applicants, the consulate states the following:
“Applicants should be prepared to provide the following information at the time of their interview; the individual’s name exactly as it is on the passport; passport number; passport date of issuance and expiry; date and place of birth; whether they have traveled to or studied in the U.S. before; what periods they were in the U.S.; and where they will be going to visit in the U.S. Please provide a specific name and address of where you will be visiting. In order to assist the Embassy with its processing, Iranian non-immigrant visa applicants also should provide the name and address of their current employment, their job title and whether the business has any connection with the Government of Iran. If this information is not provided, further delays may ensue.”
Immigrant Visas: Applicants must come to the consulate at 8 am on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday except UAE and US holidays. The cost of each formal immigrant visa application is US$170, payable in U.A.E. currency and the cost of each issued immigrant visa is US$30, payable in U.A.E. currency. Fees must be paid by, or on behalf of, each intending immigrant regardless of age, and are not refundable. All fees must be paid in U.A.E. currency. Fees should not be sent to the consular office unless specifically requested.
Holiday Schedule for 1997:
New Years Day – January 1
Martin Luther King Day – January 11
President’s Day – February 15
Eid Al Fitr – February 8-10 *
Waqfa – April 19 *
Eid Al Adha – April 20-21 *
Islamic New Year – May 8 *
Memorial Day – May 24
Independence Day – July 5
Prophet’s Birthday – July 17 *
Sh Zayed’s Accession – August 6
Labor Day – August 30
Columbus Day – October 11
Veteran’s Day – November 8
Thanksgiving Day – November 26
Ascension Day – November 27 *
UAE National Day – December 2 – 3
Christmas Day – December 24
* Denotes U.A.E religious holidays. Dates for religious holidays are dependent upon the sighting of the moon and are likely to vary from the below estimated dates. Mission holidays will be determined and announced based upon the decision made by the U.A.E. Government authorities.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk. The information provided in this article has not been updated since its original posting and you should not rely on it until you consult counsel to determine if the content is still valid. We keep older articles online because it helps in the understanding of the development of immigration law.