Over 50 Indians Stranded At Dubai Airport For Non-Compliance With Visa Requirements

More than 50 Indian nationals traveling on tourist visas have been stranded at Dubai International Airport since Wednesday at 9 pm for non-compliance visa requirements, Khaleej Times Reported.

Sources at the Indian diplomatic mission in Dubai, stranded passengers, and travel companies in Dubai confirmed the reports.

Most of the Indian passengers arrived on GoAir flights from Kannur, and Mumbai International Airports in India.  

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai confirmed a few travelers were denied entry at DXB over non-compliance with entry requirements for tourist visa-holders.

The UAE immigration rules mandate that passengers must carry a valid hotel reservation or a relative’s reference, and a return ticket booking. 

“At least 57 Indian passengers had been stranded at the airport since Wednesday night. The consulate was notified of their status through our helpline. Our sources say 14 were allowed entry into Dubai. However, the remaining have been stuck there since last night,” said Neeraj Agarwal, Consul – Press, Information, and Culture at the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Consulate staff have come forward to extend their support to the stranded passengers, and will provide them with food, water, and other amenities if required, said the official.  

“We fully respect the local immigration laws and these rules have been in place for a long time. However, the passengers should’ve ideally been given notification before boarding the flights. To my knowledge, these rules were not strictly enforced,” added the diplomat. He said: “If there is a certain policy change, passengers should have ideally been given a two-day notification,” Agarwal stated.  

Sudheesh TP, general manager of Deira Travels, said: “Several passengers from India are traveling to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait via Dubai, especially blue-collared workers. These categories of travelers will not meet these requirements.”

Amal Dev, a stranded passenger who arrived on the GoAir flight from Kannur International Airport at 9 pm, said: “Immigration authorities asked me if I had Dh2,000 and a hotel reservation with me, to which I replied no. Along with 27 other Malayalee passengers, my cousin and I were transferred to Terminal 3 where we have been stranded since last night.”

(Source: Khaleej Times)

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