In the UAE, travel agencies are increasingly filing absconding complaints against clients who overstay their visa. Those tourists who overstay their visa expiration could be further blacklisted and banned from entering the UAE or any GCC country if they do not exit after their visas expire.
Travel agents say that the rising number of overstay cases is causing reputational damage for their companies with immigration authorities and that their visa portal can be blocked for that cause. These agencies often issue tourist visas under their sponsorship, which means they are held responsible for ensuring that the client leaves the country on time.
There is a minimum fine of Dh2,000, which increases each day, on absconding cases. Travel agencies must cover the costs if the client cannot be reached.
Absconding is a criminal offence in the UAE. And those who do not adjust their visa status can be held at the airport and then deported. They also face an entry ban into the country.
New UAE visa rules that came into effect on October 3 allow visit visa holders to stay for 60 days at a time. The decision to make all entry visas valid for 60 days from the date of issue ― double the previous allowance ― is one of a series of visa changes that were approved by the Cabinet in April. Previously, there was no specific visa for tourists and those wishing to visit the UAE applied for 30-day, 60-day or 90-day visit visas.
The one, two and three-month entry permits are still available on a new visa, but mainly for people wishing to visit friends or relatives in the country, which requires documentary evidence proving the relationship and reasons for the visit. All entry visas are available for single or multiple entry and can be renewed for a further 60 days.
