From correspondents in Emirates, UAE, 12:00 AM IST

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a total of 412,000 entry permits in August after a new visa regime came into effect in this Gulf nation.

Acting director general of UAE's Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD) Nasser Al Ewadhi Al Minhali said that the visas were issued for various purposes in line with the amended rules in UAE regulating entry visas for expatriates, according to the official Emirates News Agency (WAM).

In Dubai alone, a total of 396,458 visas were issued, mostly to citizens of European countries, as well as businessmen from 34 different nationalities.

Under the new regime, which came into effect July 29, there are 16 different categories of visas and health insurance has been made compulsory for all visa types.

It also allows people of all nationalities to enter the UAE.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)