After the United Arab Emirates (UAE) mandated stricter requirements for tourist visa applications for Dubai, Indians wanting to visit the Gulf city are reportedly seeing an unprecedented rise in visa rejections. According to a report in Times of India, earlier, around 99 per cent of Dubai visa applications were approved, but now even the most carefully prepared requests are being rejected by the UAE authorities.
Recently, Dubai’s Emigration Department introduced stricter requirements for tourist visas, making it mandatory for travelers to provide hotel booking documents with QR codes and a copy of their return tickets. For travelers staying with relatives, additional proof of residence is required.
Increase in Dubai visa rejections
According to the report, since the implementation of the new visa rules for Dubai, at least 5-6 out of 100 applications are being rejected every day.
“Earlier, the rejection rate for Dubai visa was only 1-2%. This was before the new rules were implemented. Now we are getting at least 5-6 visa rejections out of around 100 applications every day. Even That when confirmed flight tickets and hotel stay details are attached, visa applications are being rejected,” Nikhil Kumar, director of Passio Travels Pvt Ltd, told TOI.
The move is creating uncertainty among travelers who are facing financial losses not only on visa fees but also on pre-booked flight tickets and hotel reservations.
Vihar director Hrishikesh Pujari said, “We are seeing an unprecedented rejection rate (for tourist visa applications for Dubai). Earlier, around 99 per cent of Dubai visa applications were approved. Now, we are looking at well-prepared travellers. are also experiencing rejection.” According to TOI report, Travels.
He said even the most carefully prepared applications, which include all relevant documents such as confirmed hotel bookings and flight details, are being rejected. “I had a family of four who had carefully prepared their application. Despite this, their visa application was rejected,” he said.
Hasmukh Travels director Vijay Thakkar told TOI that two of his travelers, who were planning to stay with their relatives in Dubai, recently had their Dubai visa applications rejected.
“While applying for the visa, we had attached all the relevant documents as per the new visa requirements. Nevertheless, their applications were rejected. This caused considerable financial loss to the passengers, as they had spent around Rs 14,000 on visa fees , and the cost of ticket cancellation was an additional Rs 20,000 and more,” he said.
Dubai’s new visa policy
The UAE has recently introduced a new policy requiring travelers to submit hotel booking documents and return tickets on the Emigration Department website when applying for a visa. Earlier these documents were required only when asked by the airport authorities.
In addition, tourists must also provide proof that they have sufficient financial resources to stay in the city. Applicants must have at least AED 5,000 (approximately Rs 1.14 lakh) in their credit or debit account for a two-month visa and AED 3,000 for a three-month visa.
