Why UAE Has Amped Up Security Checks For Visitors On Tourist Visa – News18

Dubai and Abu Dhabi make for great vacations for people from the Indian subcontinent. Now you have to be able to meet certain criteria to be able to visit these two destinations or you may be sent back from the airport. Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports have upped the ante as far as immigration scrutiny is concerned. You need to have a minimum of Rs 60,000 in your bank account or credit card and also have a return ticket to merely set foot out of the airport. Sources said passengers, especially first-time travellers landing from airports in Tamil Nadu and Kerala are being randomly scrutinised. The UAE has deported some tourists back to their home country from the airport itself because they did not have enough money for their stay in the country, in order to prevent the misuse of tourist visas. Since it is the responsibility of the airlines to deport the passengers if they do not meet the criteria, check in at Indian airports, especially Chennai and Kerala, is taking a lot of time for flyers travelling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The airlines are also making sure that the passengers meet the requirements imposed by the UAE authorities so that they are not deported. Flyers between the age of 20 to 35 are more susceptible to scrutiny by airlines, according to reports.

The UAE tightened the implementation of immigration norms after they found that travellers land up without money or accommodation and sometimes misuse the 96-hour transit visa and stay on.

According to a report, Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said, “Inspections are being conducted because it was discovered that individuals are using tourist visas to enter the UAE for employment. Some cancel their return tickets and overstay. Immigration officials, who were lenient until recently, have now increased their scrutiny. Genuine tourists, families, and group travellers will not be affected by these measures.”