Warden Message: U.S. Consulate Dubai Closed January 7-14

Consular Affairs Bulletins

Middle East / N. Africa - United Arab Emirates
4 Jan 2006

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U.S. Consulate Dubai distributed the following Warden Message on January 4:

The Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum passed away today, January 4, 2006. The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai extend their heartfelt condolences to the people and government of the United Arab Emirates. 

The government of the United Arab Emirates has announced a 40-day period of official mourning and one-week closure of UAE Government offices and institutions effective today. In addition, government offices will also be closed in observance of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha from January 9-11. Finally, the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai will also be closed Saturday, January 14, 2006 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 

Thus, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General will be closed to the public from Saturday January 7 through Saturday January 14, and will reopen for routine business on Sunday, January 15, 2006. 

During these periods of government closure, American citizens considering travel to the United Arab Emirates cannot expect to do business with UAE government offices or officials. During this period, Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai will continue to provide emergency consular services.

Emergency Services for U.S. Citizens 

For emergencies in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, U.S. citizens should contact the Embassy in Abu Dhabi by calling 02-414-2500. For emergencies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, U.S. citizens should contact the Consulate General in Dubai by calling 050-645-8773.

Passport Pick-up in Dubai 

In Dubai, U.S. citizens picking up passports with a January 3 or earlier collection date may do so on Saturday, January 7 between 2:00 - 3:00 pm at the white visa cabin located in the World Trade Center parking lot. Please note this will be the only time available to collect passports until the Consulate reopens on January 15, 2006.

Immigrant Visas
 
Persons who have appointments for Immigrant Visas at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, January 07 will have their appointment re-scheduled to Sunday, January 15.

Non-immigrant Visas 

Persons who have appointments for Non-immigrant Visas at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and at the Consulate General in Dubai on Saturday, January 7 will need to reschedule their appointments for a later date.

Non-immigrant Visa Pick-up in Dubai 

In Dubai, visa applicants picking up passports with completed visas may do so on Saturday, January 7, between 2:00 - 3:00 pm at the white visa cabin located in the World Trade Center parking lot. Please note this will be the only time available to collect visas until the Consulate reopens on January 15, 2006. 

For further information, please monitor the Embassy's and Consulate General's websites at http://usembassy.state.gov/uae and http://dubai.usconsulate.gov.