DUBAI, Sept 19: A top UAE official denied on Wednesday reports that the Gulf state had toughened visa rules for tourists from labour-exporting South Asian nations.

Gen Nasser al-Menhali, the assistant undersecretary for nationality and residency at the interior ministry, said no changes had been made to the existing law for visas, WAM state news agency reported.

“Any amendments or measures would be announced in advance,” he said.

The Gulf News daily had reported on Tuesday that tourists from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Philippines would need to have a university degree to get a visa to the UAE.

It cited an immigration official as saying that electricians, pipe fitters, masons, farmers, drivers, tailors and cleaners from those countries would not qualify.—AFP