Indians Face Increased Dubai Visa Rejections Amid New Application Rules
A rise in visa rejections is leaving many Indian travellers frustrated as new, stricter visa application rules for Dubai come into effect. Previously, nearly all visa applications were approved, but the situation has changed dramatically, with as many as 5-6 rejections per 100 applications every day since the new rules were implemented.
The new requirements introduced by the UAE include providing hotel booking documents with QR codes and return flight tickets as part of the visa application. If travellers are staying with relatives, additional proof of accommodation from the host is also required. These changes have increased uncertainty for travellers, many of whom are facing financial losses not just from the visa fees, but also from pre-booked flights and hotel stays.
Before these new regulations, Dubai’s visa approval rate was almost 99%. However, the latest reports from travel agencies suggest that even well-prepared applications, with all necessary documents, are being rejected. Nikhil Kumar, Director of Passio Travels Pvt Ltd, noted that the rejection rate has increased significantly from just 1-2% to 5-6 rejections per day out of 100 applications.
Despite providing all required documents, including confirmed flight tickets and hotel bookings, many applicants are still having their visas turned down. Rishikesh Pujari, Director of Vihar Travels, shared an example of a family of four who followed all instructions carefully but still saw their applications rejected.
The new rules are also impacting those planning to stay with relatives in Dubai. Vijay Thakkar, Director of Hasmukh Travels, mentioned that two passengers were recently denied visas even after submitting all the required paperwork. This has led to significant financial losses, with one family incurring costs of Rs 14,000 for visa fees, along with Rs 20,000 for ticket cancellations.
Additionally, applicants must now show proof of sufficient funds for their stay. For a two-month visa, travellers must have at least AED 5,000 (about Rs 1.14 lakh) in their bank accounts, and AED 3,000 for a three-month visa. This further adds to the hurdles for prospective visitors.
As the number of rejections rises, many travellers are left wondering about the fairness and consistency of the new visa rules.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
