UAE issues new visiting visa guidelines: Passengers detained at the airports

Dubai: The immigration department has tightened inspections and checking at UAE airports to find job seekers, who arrive in the country on visiting visas. Hundreds of passengers from Kottayam and Idukki districts in Kerala were detained at the airport as they didn’t have proper travel documents.

The airline companies have been strictly imposing the guidelines that visiting visa holders should possess documents of hotel booking as well as 5,000 dirhams (Rs 1.3 lakh) for their expenses. The passengers whose journeys got cancelled weren’t given any refunds. The guidelines warn that the airline companies would be responsible if passengers without proper documents land in the UAE. Moreover, the companies would be slapped with a hefty fine of 5,000 dirhams per passenger.

Those who arrive on employment visas should complete the visa procedures on their entry permit that allow them to work in the UAE. If the intention of the visiting visa holder is tourist activities, then they should provide information about the hotel where they stay, return ticket and the amount of money for expenses.

In case of visit to a relative or a friend, the officials may ask for copies of their visa and passport as well as details of their address, phone number and place of accommodation.