DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates launched tourist visas for Israeli citizenson Thursday, official media said, in the latest move following thenormalisation of ties between the two countries.

Abu Dhabi’s foreign ministry “announced the activation of tourist entryvisas through airlines and travel and tourism offices for Israeli passportholders”, the WAM news agency reported.

The measure is a stop-gap until a mutual visa waiver agreement is put inplace meaning Israelis visiting the UAE will be eligible for visas onarrival. The same will apply to Emiratis visiting the Jewish state.