This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABU DHABI 000249 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR CA/VO, CA/VO/F/P & L/CA 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI 
STATE PLS PASS TO USTR for Doug Bell 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS ETRD ECON AE
SUBJECT: UAEG PRESENTS UAE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REGARDING 
VISAS/MOVEMENT OF PERSONS 
 
REF: Jan 18 Lynn - Smyth E-Mail 
 
¶1. (U) This is an action request.  Please see para 4. 
 
¶2. (U) On January 24, 2006, Assistant Under Secretary for 
International Cooperation Mohammed Abdul Jalil delivered to Econ 
Chief a diplomatic note containing a Memorandum of Understanding 
regarding visas and the U.S. - UAE Free Trade Agreement 
negotiations.   MFA requested that the U.S. review the memorandum 
of understanding with a view to signing it simultaneously with an 
FTA.   Econchief reiterated that visa matters are outside the 
scope of an FTA, but committed to forwarding the MOU to the 
Department for comment.  During the meeting, Abdul Jalil also 
requested information on the requirements of the Visa Waver 
Program.  In a January 25 meeting, Ambassador told UAEG lead 
negotiator MinState Finance Dr. Mohammed Khalfan bin Khirbash 
that visas/movement of persons were outside the scope of an FTA. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Emboffs have explained to the UAEG on numerous 
occasions that the Embassy is committed to the expeditious 
processing of all types of visas for Emirati citizens, including 
those who intend to conduct business in the US.  For Emirati 
nationals, receiving B visas (visitors for business or pleasure), 
we routinely issue visas valid for 10 years.  Most of the year, 
applicants are able to get a visa appointment within 1-2 business 
days in Abu Dhabi and 4-5 business days in Dubai (Note: in the 
peak visa period in the summer, this pushes out 1-2 and 2-3 weeks 
respectively).  Historically, the refusal rate for Emiratis is 
well less than 5 percent.  Most Emirati applicants can receive 
their visas within one working day.  The remainder (those 
requiring administrative/security processing) receive visa 
approval between 5 days and three weeks.  A handful of cases take 
longer to complete. 
 
¶4. (U) Action Request.  Post would appreciate Department's 
comments on the attached MOU and instructions on how to answer 
the UAEG's request.  Post plans to refer the MFA to the 
Department web site for information on the Visa Waver Program. 
 
¶5. (U) Begin text of Embassy translation of diplomatic note. 
 
Complementary Opening 
 
With reference to the third round of the U.S.-UAE FTA 
negotiations and in particular the section regarding mobility of 
persons in the services area, the UAE side has suggested the 
possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding to 
facilitate mobility of the UAE nationals and senior professional 
residents to the United States easily and without delay (on the 
basis of the official memorandum that had been reached between 
the two countries, which grants 10 years entry visa to the United 
States), or to take benefit of  the "Visa Waver Plan" to visit 
the USA, similar to the one, which is in force for citizens of 
some countries. 
 
In this connection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United 
Arab Emirates hope that the Embassy would refer to the attached 
Memorandum of Understanding's proposal to the concerned U.S. 
entities for their opinions and comments in order to pave the way 
for signing this memorandum at the same time the FTA is signed. 
 
End text of Embassy translation of diplomatic note. 
 
 
¶8. (U) Begin text of Memorandum of Understanding. 
 
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United 
States of America and the Government of the United Arab Emirates 
on Cooperation in Matters of Entry and Residence for citizens of 
the U.S.A. and citizens U.A.E. 
 
The Government of the United States of America and the Government 
of the United Arab Emirates, 
 
Desiring to strengthen and develop further their bilateral 
relations, 
 
Seeking to encourage and facilitate exchange of visits by 
businessmen and holders of diplomatic, special and service 
passports, those desiring to have medical treatment and their 
escorts, tourists, students and resident senior professionals, on 
the basis of reciprocity and the observance of national laws of 
their respective countries, 
 
Agreeing on the importance of existing security cooperation 
between the Government of the United States of America and the 
Government of the United Arab Emirates, 
 
Cognizant of the importance of lending special attention to 
matters relating to the security of travel documents, countering 
illegal immigration and repatriation of citizens, 
Simultaneous with the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement 
between two countries, and considering the need to facilitate and 
encourage exchange of visits by U.A.E. businessmen and senior 
professionals residing in the United Arab Emirates to visit the 
U.S.A. 
 
Hereby express their willingness to facilitate the entry of 
citizens of the United States of America to the United Arab 
Emirates and the entry of citizens of the United Arab Emirates to 
the United States of America, and have agreed as follows: 
 
Chapter One: Travel Facilities 
 
¶I. Granting Visas without Delay: 
 
¶1. The two Parties will grant visas for entry to each other's 
country to the categories mentioned in the preamble of this 
Memorandum and within a duration not exceeding twenty-four hours. 
 
¶2. The Government of the United States of America will expedite 
granting visas by American missions abroad within the framework 
of the domestic laws in force in the U.S.A., and this facility 
will apply particularly to citizens of the United Arab Emirates, 
business visits, those desiring to undergo medical treatment and 
their escorts, resident senior professionals, holders of U.A.E. 
diplomatic, special and service passports and for tourist visits. 
 
¶3. The Government of the United States of America, within the 
laws enforced in the U.S.A., resolves to undertake measures to 
make it possible, in principle, to grant entry visa to citizens 
of United Arab Emirates at American points of entry if prior 
application for the visa were not possible, especially when there 
would be an unforeseen compelling reason to travel to the U.S.A. 
and return to the United Arab Emirates were guaranteed, while 
other requirements of entry were satisfied according to American 
law. 
 
¶4. The two Parties will exceptionally and promptly issue visas at 
their borders of entry to each other's citizens in cases of 
urgent situations of illness, serious accidents and critical 
circumstances. 
 
II.  Facility of entry into the country for holders of 
diplomatic, special and service passports: 
 
¶1. The American competent authorities will issue citizens of the 
United Arab Emirates holding valid diplomatic, special and 
service passports multiple entry visas allowing stays for as long 
a period as possible. 
 
¶2. These visas will be granted gratis with a duration not 
exceeding twenty-four hours and for a validity period of up to 
ten years. 
 
III. Facility of Entry for Businessmen, Tourists, Medical 
Patients and their Escorts: 
 
¶1. American competent authorities will grant UAE businessmen and 
resident businessmen multiple entry visas within a duration not 
exceeding twenty-four hours and for a period of five years. 
 
¶2. This will apply also to medical patients and their resident 
escorts, visitors and tourists, with the framework of consular 
cooperation between two countries. 
 
IV. Facility of Entry for Students: 
 
American competent authorities will grant U.A.E. students entry 
visas gratis and in the shortest time possible within a period 
not exceeding two weeks. 
 
Chapter Two: Security Standards/Security of Documents against 
forgery 
 
The two Parties express their readiness to: 
 
¶1. Guarantee security to travel documents to the highest level 
against forgery, and to review the foregoing in terms of 
maintaining minimum security standards for machine readable 
travel documents recommended by the International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO Doc. 9303, 5th Edition 2003, Annex to Section 
III, Security Standards for Machine Readable Documents) and to 
ensure their agreeability whenever necessary and in the shortest 
time possible. 
 
¶2. Make technical progress necessary with a view to introducing 
biometric specifications to travel documents issued by the two 
countries and to comply with their standards. 
 
¶3. Support efforts of unifying the standards by the International 
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and implement its 
recommendations at the shortest time possible. 
 
¶4. Exchange information on the measures being undertaken by the 
two countries concerning their travel documents. 
 
Chapter Three: General Applicable Terms 
¶1. The two Parties agree on the necessity of their citizens to 
respect the laws of each other's country. 
 
¶2. This Memorandum shall not affect the prevailing laws in the 
territory of with Party in regard to the exercise of commercial 
activities or work in other trades. 
 
¶3. This Memorandum shall not affect the rights and obligations of 
the two Parties arising from international instruments and 
agreements that either one or both of them are parties to. 
 
¶4. This Memorandum of Understanding will come into force after 
its signature, and either Party may terminate either wholly or 
partly the implementation of the Memorandum at any time, due to 
considerations of public order, national security or preventative 
health precautions, and the other Party should be informed of 
that accordingly and without delay. 
 
¶5. This Memorandum of Understanding will be reviewed after one 
year's period from the date of its entry into force by the two 
Parties together in a joint meeting to be decided upon request by 
either Party. 
 
This Memorandum of Understanding is signed in two original copies 
in the English and Arabic languages and both texts are equally 
authentic. 
 
Signed at ....... on ......... 
 
For the Government of the United States of America 
 
For the Government of the United Arab Emirates