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Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Nepal's new NOC rule for UAE travellers: How Indian expats lost Dh1,400 during trip
Indian expats lose over Dh1,400 due to Nepal's sudden enforcement of NOC rule for UAE-bound travellers. Some Indian residents of the UAE have unexpectedly lost more than Dh1,400 each or faced significant travel stress after Nepal began strictly enforcing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement from the Indian embassy for re-entry to the Emirates. As reported by Khaleej Times, this rule, though not new, has recently been implemented more rigorously due to concerns about human trafficking and tax evasion. Dubai resident Manu Palerichal, CEO of CLA Emirates, recounted a stressful experience during his Eid break trip to Nepal. 'As soon as we landed in Nepal on Thursday, an immigration officer informed us that we need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian embassy when returning to the UAE,' he told Khaleej Times. 'No one had informed us about this beforehand… fellow travellers weren't aware either and told us to ignore it,' he said. Enforced due to system abuse After reaching out to his travel agent, Manu learned that the rule had started being strictly applied to prevent abuses of the system. However, the family had already travelled to Pokhara, nearly 200km from Kathmandu, where the Indian embassy is located. 'We spent two days in Pokhara, anxiously wondering what to do if the embassy was closed on Saturday and Sunday,' Manu said. 'We even came up with alternate plans to return to Dubai in case we couldn't get the document.' Safeer Mohammed, general manager of Smart Travels, confirmed to Khaleej Times that the rule has existed for a while but is now enforced more tightly. 'Authorities found people misusing the system, and that may have prompted this change,' he explained. 'Instances of human trafficking and tax evasion were discovered and that may have been one of the reasons why the rule is now being enforced strictly.' He also clarified that travellers heading from Nepal to India won't have any problems, but those returning to the UAE via Nepal 'must have the NOC before travelling.' Travellers denied boarding, incur losses Dubai resident Thabseer Ahmed faced financial setbacks of over Dh1,400 after discovering the NOC requirement only at the airport while returning from Nepal. 'We found out about the NOC only at the airport (in Nepal) while heading back from our holiday,' he told Khaleej Times. His friends flying back to India had no issues, but those heading to the GCC were denied boarding. 'We tried to get to the Indian embassy, but the flight was at 3am on a Sunday and no one was available to help us,' he said. Thabseer tried to reroute via New Delhi, but it didn't help. 'You have to check out in India, collect your luggage and then check back in. So once I arrived in New Delhi, I had to book a new flight back to the UAE,' he said, adding that a friend from Kuwait lost around Dh2,000, while another from Qatar also faced losses in rebooking. Embassy process, required documents, and advice Eventually, Manu returned to Kathmandu with his family and was relieved to find the Indian embassy working through the weekend. 'I did not have to wait much but staff told me that there was a huge rush on Thursday and Friday with people having to wait hours for their documents,' he said. According to Manu, the documents needed for the NOC included: Passport-size photo Copies of passport and UAE residence visa Immigration stamp Air ticket Emirates ID Application form Each certificate cost 3,100 Nepali rupees per person, totalling over Dh300 for his four-member family. He urged others to check travel requirements beforehand. 'Since Nepal is just a short distance away, a lot of Indians from GCC countries plan short trips here,' he warned. 'Travel agents must give clear directives about these new requirements to avoid complications.'
Khaleej Times
23-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Over 100 residents cancel travel plans to Kashmir after terror attack kills 26
For the last two months, Asha Abdulkader and her family of 15 have been looking forward to a relaxing trip to Kashmir, intending to visit several cities including Pahalgam. However, they were forced to cancel their trip after a deadly terror attack killed 26 people on Tuesday. 'Our group including my siblings and cousins was supposed to leave on April 28 for seven days,' Asha told Khaleej Times on Wednesday. 'Now we were left with no choice except to cancel the tour plan and face the loss incurred due to the cancellation of the flight and tour package policies.' The family are among the hundreds of people who have canceled their trips to the country after an attack targeted tourists. Asha said she was dealing with heartbreak, disbelief and shock in the aftermath of the tragedy. 'I'm deeply disappointed and saddened,' she said. 'Kashmir is such a beautiful place that is on the wish list of almost every Indian. I am also shocked about how if this attack had happened next week at the time, my family could have been there. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.' She added that she understood that safety was paramount, and the necessity of this decision. At least 26 people died and 17 others were injured when terrorists opened fire in three locations at a popular tourist spot in the Pahalgam region of India's Jammu and Kashmir. Among the dead — all men — are 25 Indians and one Nepalese national. One Indian national was a Dubai resident. Over 80 cancellations Local travel agency Smart Travels has had to cancel the flights of more than 80 people in the last two days. 'We had begun a campaign for summer which gave UAE residents the chance to enjoy a staycation in different parts of India before proceeding to their hometown,' said Safeer Mohammed from the agency. 'One of the locations on our list was Kashmir and we had over 80 bookings. For the last two days, we have been on calls with various stakeholders canceling and rescheduling the huge block of tickets we had booked.' Safeer added that the terror attack was shocking and had a huge impact on the tourism industry as a whole. 'The militants targeted tourists at a time when the industry was booming in Kashmir,' he said. 'Safety had improved and people were really beginning to explore the region. It is absolutely disheartening what has happened.' Smart Travels, the driving force behind the upcoming Indian domestic airline Air Kerala, has been promoting pan India travel. Recently, Air Kerala opened its corporate office in Kochi, with plans to begin flight operations later this year. Not willing to risk it Fouzia Sameer and her family of 10 people had planned a trip to Kashmir in July. She is one of those who have canceled her trip. 'Our trip is three months from now and conditions might have settled by then but I am not willing to take the risk,' she said. 'This particular attack specifically targeted tourists and I think it will be a long time before any holiday makers have the guts to go back there. I feel so sorry for the families who lost their loved ones but also to the Kashmiris who depended on tourism for their livelihood. It is such a senseless tragedy.'
Gulf News
23-04-2025
- Gulf News
Scores of UAE residents cancel holidays to Kashmir after Pahalgam terror attacks
Dubai: Scores of UAE residents are reportedly cancelling their planned holidays to Kashmir following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, travel agents and affected individuals have said. The attacks, which occurred on Tuesday, have instilled fear and uncertainty among travellers who had booked or were planning trips to the popular destination. Dubai resident Amal Gireesh said he had planned a trip with his wife Anakha to Kashmir in May and decided to cancel it immediately after the terror attack. 'It had been our wish to visit Kashmir, and we planned to go there in May. We had even decided on May 11 as we had to schedule the other plans during our trip to India,' Gireesh explained. The couple's excitement to visit Pahalgam was heightened after seeing photos from Amal's cousin, who had been at the same location just two days before the attack. 'My cousin and her husband were at the same spot just two days before the terror attack. We had seen their photos, in which they wore ethnic Kashmiri outfits, and we planned to do the same when we visited Pahalgam.' However, the situation has shifted from excitement to relief for their narrow escape and apprehension about future travel. 'Now, we are all so grateful that they were lucky to have left, and we are scared to go there now. It is so sad that the beautiful Kashmir is hit by terror attacks again after a long period of peace,' he added. Attacks are terrible for state tourism Meanwhile, travel agents have said the heinous attacks would significantly affect the state's tourism sector, which has been experiencing a boom since 2021. It's important to note that there are no direct flights between Srinagar and the UAE, which adds another layer of complexity for travellers. The cancellations are expected to significantly impact the tourism sector in Kashmir, which has seen a revival in recent years. Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels, said Kashmir had become an increasingly popular holiday spot post-pandemic. "It will impact the business badly," Ahmed said, highlighting that many UAE-based Indian expats, having visited home, often opted for a side trip to Kashmir, sometimes sending luggage ahead via air cargo. Ahmed also mentioned that the winter season, from December to February, is a peak. Still, Kashmir is considered a year-round tourist hotspot. "Fortunately, we don't have a group in Kashmir right now," Ahmed added, stating that they typically handle groups ranging from 200 to 300 passengers annually, including bachelors, families, and adventure travellers. Kashmir's popularity surged recently, especially after high traffic coinciding with school vacations and holidays like the Eid Al Adha break in June, a busy time for travellers from Kerala. "In a state of panic, people will cancel their trips," Ahmed said. Sapna Aidasani, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at Pluto Travels, said, 'We had a family who travelled and returned from Kashmir just before the attacks. We have proactively cancelled every other tour," she said. Sapna said Kashmir had become an increasingly popular destination, driven by social media buzz around new hotels like The Khyber and The Lalit. 'Kashmir had become a popular destination – like Switzerland, but not as expensive. This incident was a huge hit for the travel and tourism industry." She expressed hope that assurances would be given to maintain safety. 'Distrust will set in' On average, Pluto Travels sends over 100 people to Kashmir during favourable weather conditions, with groups ranging from 100 to 120 individuals, often families. Rashid Abbas, Managing Director of Arooha Travels, also reported cancellations. He said, 'If you look at the list of tourists who were unfortunately killed yesterday, there are nationalities from all over the world. Kashmir was very popular.' He added, 'A lot of people are confused about their travel plans – even though they would like to go, their families are uncomfortable with them going…' Annually, Arooha Travels typically organizes trips for around 500 travellers to Kashmir, with smaller groups of about 30 people monthly. Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir, shared similar concerns. 'Business to Kashmir has been robust since 2021… this episode could set things back significantly for the travel/ tourism sector. Whatever happened is extremely tragic. Most of our demand is around the Eid holidays and usual holiday season – many people have just returned from the Eid holidays.' Airlines special offers To support those travelling to/from Srinagar, Indian carrier IndiGo offers waivers for cancellation fees or rescheduling charges. Given the emergent situation, the airline said it has also taken steps to keep the fares moderated. The airline has added special flights to Srinagar from Delhi and Mumbai with immediate effect and will be operating these over and above the regular schedule of 160 weekly flights from/to Srinagar from various parts of India, the airline said in a statement.
Hi Dubai
24-03-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Authorities Intensify Crackdown on Visit Visa Violations, Travel Agents Warn Against Working on Visit Visas
Dubai authorities have intensified their efforts to curb illegal employment practices following the conclusion of a generous visa amnesty scheme. Travel industry professionals report a surge in inspections targeting individuals working on visit visas, resulting in a sharp decline in overstayers. According to Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart Travels, numerous company premises have been inspected in recent months. "Inspection teams have visited our office tower multiple times. While working on a visit visa has always been illegal, enforcement has now become much stricter," he stated. The visa amnesty, which ran from September to December 2024, allowed individuals who had overstayed their visit visas to legalize their status or leave the country without penalties. Following its conclusion, authorities conducted extensive inspection campaigns in January, leading to over 6,000 arrests for visa violations, a top official revealed. Industry experts note a significant impact on overstaying figures. "Since January, the number of visit visa overstayers has dropped to below 10%, which is a substantial improvement," Mohammed added. Bharat Aidasani of Pluto Travels emphasized the legal repercussions, stating, "We strictly advise our customers against working on visit visas. The consequences are severe, including deportation." The UAE bolstered its labour laws in August 2023, introducing stringent penalties ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for companies employing individuals without valid work permits or bringing workers into the country without securing jobs for them. Noushad Hassan of Alhind Travels Business Centre confirmed increased inspections across various companies since the amnesty ended. "Authorities are ensuring compliance, and we've observed a steady decline in overstayers," he said. Hassan also noted that, previously, some individuals found themselves stranded after overstaying their visas. "Many contacted us for assistance in returning home. Now, visit visa renewals require individuals to exit the country first, making it harder for unscrupulous firms to exploit workers." The ongoing crackdown underscores Dubai's commitment to maintaining a lawful labour environment, ensuring compliance with visa regulations, and protecting workers from potential exploitation. News Source: Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times
24-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Don't work on visit visas, travel agents warn as crackdown intensifies
Dubai authorities have ramped up efforts to crack down on individuals working on visit visas in the emirate, travel agents claimed. According to them, this has led to a noticeable reduction in the number of people overstaying in the country. 'We've heard of multiple company premises being inspected recently,' claimed Safeer Mohammed, general manager of Smart Travels. 'Inspection teams have also visited our office tower several times over the past few months. While working on a visit visa has always been illegal, the authorities are now ensuring that everyone is strictly following the rules.' This follows the end of a generous amnesty scheme, one of the country's most lenient, which allowed those overstaying their visit visas to either legalise their status or leave without facing penalties. The programme, which ran from September to December 2024, helped thousands resolve their visa issues. Following the end of the visa amnesty, more than 6,000 violators were arrested during inspection campaigns in January, a top official revealed. Safeer highlighted that these measures have played a key role in reducing the number of visit visa overstayers by more than half. 'Since January, we've seen the number of people overstaying their visit visas reduced to less than 10 per cent,' he said. Bharat Aidasani of Pluto Travels emphasised that it has always been illegal to work on a visit visa in the UAE. 'We strictly advise our customers not to do so,' he said. 'Since the end of the amnesty, inspections have become more frequent, and the penalties are severe, with deportation being the consequence for anyone caught working on a visit visa.' In August of last year, the UAE amended its labour law to impose hefty fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million on companies that employ workers without the proper permits or bring them into the country without securing jobs for them. Noushad Hassan from Alhind Travels Business Centre also shared that several companies have been inspected since the amnesty ended. 'We've heard of several companies being checked to ensure no one on a visit visa is working there,' he said. 'It is a great way to ensure that rules are being followed. We have also seen a steady decrease in the number of people overstaying their visit visa so it is really having a positive impact," Noushad added. He also noted that some workers had previously found themselves stranded after overstaying their visas. 'They would contact us asking for assistance to return home,' he said. 'Now, companies in Dubai cannot renew visit visas without the workers physically returning home. With the increased inspections, it will be much harder for unscrupulous companies to take advantage of workers.'
