UAE visitors urged to plan, renew visa before expiry amid flight disruptions, high demand
Visit visa holders in the UAE are being urged to be vigilant and take timely action to avoid overstaying their visas, travel agents have warned. With the summer holiday season in full swing, many flights are fully booked, airfares are rising, and ongoing flight cancellations, linked to regional airspace closures amid Iran-Israel tensions, are compounding the challenges.
Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, said visitors who haven't planned their return or visa extension may find themselves stuck due to high demand.
'Some flights are fully booked. When visitors can't get a ticket in time, they may end up staying extra days and paying fines while exiting the country,' he said. 'We are urging visitors to act quickly and plan in advance to avoid these situations.'
He added that many families have already started travelling for long summer break, especially those with children whose schools have closed for the holidays. 'Flights are filling up quickly because schools have shut. That's adding to the rush,' he said.
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Some flights canceled or delayed
While the UAE has seen fewer flight cancellations compared to other countries in the region, some delays and cancellations have been reported.
' Flights from cities in India and other parts of the Middle East have been delayed or cancelled due to the ongoing regional tensions,' Subair said. 'Visitors should plan ahead to avoid disruptions.'
'UAE is safe and stable'
Despite the situation, travel industry experts say the UAE remains one of the safest places in the region. Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, said visitors continue to trust the UAE's leadership and prefer to stay here.
"People have confidence in the government here. All we ask is that visitors don't wait until the last few days of their visa to act," he said. "If you're looking to renew or extend your visa, plan it at least 20 days in advance."
He added that travel agents are seeing an increase in visa extension inquiries. 'We have many requests from nationals of countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and others in the Middle East, as travel is affected by the closure of some airspaces.'
What can travellers do now?
Experts recommend the following steps:
'Whether flying into or out of the UAE, visitors and residents should check for delays or cancellations before heading to the airport,' Aidasani said.
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