Dubai’s tightening of tourist visa rules has become a pain point for Indians eyeing a visit to the country, especially during the holidays. Indian travelers are reportedly facing financial losses as the number of visa rejections has increased.
“Earlier, almost 99 per cent of Dubai visa applications were approved. Now, we are experiencing rejections even for well-prepared travelers,” Rishikesh Pujari told TOI. Pujari is the director of Vihar Travels. “While applying for the visa, we attached all the relevant documents as per the new visa requirements. Yet, their applications were rejected. This resulted in significant monetary loss for the passengers, as they had spent nearly Rs 14,000 on visa fees, and ticket cancellation cost was another 20,000 and more,” said Hasmukh Travels director Vijay Thakkar, according to TOI.
The travel agents reportedly have become more careful when it comes to adhering to official requirements to avoid rejections and minimise financial losses to the Indians.
The new visa rules are a setback for travel enthusiasts in India, as Dubai is the second most popular choice for a perfect getaway, according to goniyo.com.
Dubai’s New Visa Rules
The emigration department of Dubai introduced stricter requirements for tourist visa applications last month. The new rules include the uploading of hotel booking documents and return tickets on the department’s website at the time of applying for a visa. The tourists must furnish details of where they will stay once they arrive in Dubai, even if they are staying at a friend's or a relative's place.
Only authorised travel agencies are permitted to apply for tourist visas, while visit visas can be processed by trading companies, individuals, or families.
Additionally, they are also required to prove that they have sufficient finances to stay in Dubai. Only those with at least Rs 1.14 lakh in their bank accounts can apply for a two-month visa.
