New UAE visa-on-arrival rule for Indians to help meet winter travel demand
As reported recently, the authorities in ICP have given a green light to allow more Indians to obtain visas on arrival. This, however, has come in response to the increase in the number of non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the UAE and the improvement in relations between both countries. Travel agents in the United Arab Emirates have commended this decision by authorities.
“Since this movement has been initiated, we anticipate growth in our business of at least between 15 to 17 %,” expressed Praveen Campbell traveling with Saffron Travel and Tourism LLC in Abu Dhabi.
“There are those Indians who usually go via the UAE to the UK or EU on business. With the option of Visa on Arrival, most would grab the chance to stay for one or two days to experience the UAE before continuing their journey. This is good for the tourism and hospitality business,” she further stated.
As per the regulations which were issued on Thursday, Indian citizens with a tourist visa for the UK or other EU countries will be allowed to obtain a visa upon arrival. Up until now, this was extended only to those who possess US residence or tourist visas as well as those residing in the UK or EU.
Smart Travels’ general manager, Safeer Mahamood, is also anticipating that there will be a surge in India’s travel demand from Indian tourists.
‘’We expect the volume of appeal for our services to grow at least 10 to 15%, particularly the transit passengers,” he said.
"The timing is good as well since the busy tourist season is from November to March. There are quite a number of people’s groups who will be traveling within Europe to see their families. These people now opt to fly via the UAE and spend a night or so in the country."
Perfect time
This is the right time for Indian tourist Ibrahim Babu to apply for the new visa. He and his wife plan to visit Italy in April to celebrate their son’s graduation. With the new rule, they can now easily take a long-haul flight to their destination and visit relatives in the UAE in between.
“My sister lives in Dubai and she’s always saying that we should stop in the UAE on our way back to India from Italy. But I didn’t want the extra trouble of getting the visit visa so I said no. Today, as soon as the news broke out, she texted me. No visa for Muslims is needed since this is visa-on-arrival so my wife and I are thinking of spending a week in Dubai. This really is a good change and it has certainly come at the right time for me.”
Transiting through the UAE
Safeer pointed out that most Indian travelers consider UAE stopovers to be ‘very popular’.
He added, “From November to March, we normally arrange tour packages for not less than 50 families in a month, and they would be transiting through Dubai either on their way to EU or UK or up on returning from these countries. This number of bookings will go high with the new bookings policy in place.”
Praveen stated that the visa-on-arrival option for US tourist and residency visa holders is also very popular. He said, “In the last month, we have had almost 60 Indian families who have opted to go via the UAE and spend a few days here en route the USA.”
Previously, Etihad Airways had an offer where it was permissible to have a stopover in the UAE for travelers flying to the US or vice versa which also was very well accepted. I applaud the government’s move to widen the coverage of this programme as it will in sure increase tourism to the country.
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