Indians facing massive visa rejections in Dubai after UAE introduces new rules, know those new rules

Recently, Dubai’s emigration department introduced stricter requirements for tourist visas, making it mandatory for travellers to provide hotel booking documents with QR codes and a copy of their return ticket. For travellers staying with relatives, additional proof of accommodation is required in the latter.

Rise in Dubai visa rejections

According to reports, since the new visa rules for Dubai came into effect, at least 5-6 out of 100 applications are being rejected every day.

“Earlier, the rejection rate for Dubai visas was only 1-2%. This was before the new rules came into effect. Now we are getting at least 5-6 visa rejections out of about 100 applications every day. Even when confirmed flight tickets and hotel stay details are attached, visa applications are still being rejected,” said Nikhil Kumar, director, Passio Travels Pvt Ltd.

The move is creating uncertainty among travellers, who are facing financial losses not just on visa fees but also on pre-booked flight tickets and hotel reservations.

According to a TOI report, Rishikesh Pujari, director of Vihar Travels, said, “We are seeing unprecedented rejection rates (for tourist visa applications for Dubai). Earlier, almost 99 per cent of Dubai visa applications used to get approved. Now, we are facing rejections even for well-prepared travellers.” He added that even the most carefully prepared applications are being rejected, including all relevant documents like confirmed hotel bookings and flight details. “I had a family of four who had carefully prepared their application. Despite this, their visa application was rejected,” he said.

Vijay Thakkar, director of Hasmukh Travels, told TOI that two of his travellers, who were planning to stay with their relatives in Dubai, had their Dubai visa applications rejected recently. He said, “While applying for visa, we had attached all the relevant documents as per the new visa requirements. Still, their applications were rejected. This caused huge financial loss to the passengers, as they had spent around Rs 14,000 on visa fees, and the cost of ticket cancellation was Rs 20,000 and above.”

Dubai’s New Visa Policy

The UAE has recently introduced a new policy, under which passengers are required to submit hotel booking documents and return tickets on the emigration department website while applying for visa. Earlier these documents were sought only when airport officials asked for them.