Many UAE visit visas are being rejected because applicants fail to meet basic legal requirements such as providing a return ticket, valid hotel booking, and proof of sufficient funds, according to travel industry experts.
The UAE immigration authorities now require all visit visa holders to carry proof of funds, hotel accommodation or proof of residence, and a confirmed return ticket before their visa expires.
“The UAE is easy to enter since restrictions are relatively lenient. However, many visitors look for jobs instead of being genuine tourists. To address this, the UAE government is tightening rules to ensure only genuine tourists visit, enjoy their stay, and leave before their visa expires,” explained Rikin Sheth, Assistant Vice President at Musafir.com.
Reports of Rejections
Media outlets in countries like India and Pakistan, as well as social media platforms, have reported an increase in UAE visit visa rejections. Millions of tourists, mostly visiting Dubai, arrive in the UAE every year.
For instance, between January and July 2024, Dubai welcomed 10.62 million visitors, an 8% increase compared to the previous year. To maintain this flow of quality tourism, the UAE enforces strict legal requirements for visa applicants.
Common Reasons for Rejection
Sheras Sharaf, Operations Manager at Arab World Tourism, highlighted the key reasons behind visa rejections:
- Fake flight or hotel bookings that fail verification.
- Missing or incomplete documents, like proof of funds, confirmed travel plans, or valid accommodation details.
- Concerns about applicants overstaying their visas.
“If genuine tourists submit valid documents, they will not face rejections,” Sharaf assured.
How to Avoid Rejection
According to Sheth, tourists can avoid visa rejections by ensuring their documents are complete and authentic:
- Carry a valid return ticket and accommodation proof (hotel booking or relative’s residence).
- Have sufficient funds for the trip.
- Exit the UAE within the allowed visa duration to ensure future visits are hassle-free.
Travel agencies now play a critical role in helping applicants meet these requirements. “The UAE government expects travel agencies to include genuine hotel bookings or proof of tenancy from relatives when inviting family members,” Sheth added.
Choose a Reliable Travel Agency
Sheth advised tourists to work with trustworthy travel agencies that provide accurate information about UAE visas and immigration. “Travel agencies are educating clients to submit real documents like confirmed hotel and flight details. With genuine submissions, visa approvals have improved significantly,” he concluded.
