Hotel booking and return ticket mandatory to get Dubai visit visas; more on the new rule

Dubai: Hotel booking documents and return ticket have been made mandatory for tourists who travel to Dubai on a tourist visa. The Dubai emigration department has issued directives to the travel agencies regarding this. As per the latest rule, hotel booking documents with QR code and copy of the return ticket should be submitted while applying for these visas. Otherwise, the visa process may get delayed. The visa applications of many Malayalis have still not been reportedly processed as they couldn’t submit these documents. Earlier, the passengers were required to produce these documents only if they were asked by the emigration officers at the airport. Besides, the applicant should show 5000 Dirham in his credit/debit card for two month visa and 3000 Dirham for three month visa.

Joy Thomas, owner of Al Sora agency in Duabi told Manorama Online that hotel booking documents and details of the return ticket were asked to be uploaded while applying for tourist visa on the emigration department’s website. It must be noted that only travel agencies can apply for tourist visas. Meanwhile, visit visas are applied by trading companies, individuals and families. However, same rules and regulations are applicable for both the visas. Such rules have already been in existence for the citizens of Pakistan and a few African countries. However, it is not clear whether an expatriate living in the UAE needs to submit hotel booking documents and copy of the return ticket while applying for visiting visas for his/her family.