UAE: ‘Airport-to-Airport Visa Change’ Causes Travel Misery for Visitors

Due to recent changes in the policies of UAE visas, there are issues faced by a number of visitors who have undertaken the ‘airport-to-airport visa change’ process, many of whom have received multiple rejections of their visas. It is a common process wherein travelers with visas close to their end date visit a nearby country, apply for a new visa while at the airport, and return to that place once the new permit has been approved. But the surprise on several faces is the rejection of their visa applications.

Travel agents nowadays advice visitors to extend visas in the UAE rather than use airport-to-airport for processing. This is more pricey; however, it serves to be a more credible manner of getting a visa extended. According to Geoff Travel CEO Geoffrey Salatan, the cost for a two months visa through the airport means that it costs between Dh 1,300-Dh 1,500; yet, extending a visa inside the country costs some Dh 1,050.

Such was the situation for an Indian national by the name of Khalid who found himself stuck for more than 36 hours in a GCC airport because his visa had been rejected. Similarly, Pakistani national Sameer would wait in Oman for another day after being delayed while going there, only to reach the airport and find that it had already been 24 hours – but bad news: his visa had been rejected.

The increased number of rejections, it is suspected by travel agents, could be due to new visa requirements, which involve showing proof of accommodation, adequate funds, and return tickets. A few agents report having delayed or rejected applications, though they are waiting for clarifications from UAE authorities. There have been no further details as of now from the GDRFA and the ICP regarding these developments.