Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: Travel agencies in the UAE have begun filing numerous absconding complaints with the authorities after their clients overstayed on tourist visas while looking for work.
Despite the introduction of a job-seeker visa in the UAE, many people, particularly from Africa and Asia, still choose a tourist visa when looking for work. It’s because the former requires a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
According to travel agents, the growing number of absconders is harming their image with immigration authorities. Their authority to issue visas is also at risk of being cancelled.
“Overstays aren’t unusual in UAE”
Overstays aren’t unusual, according to Rooh Tourism’s Operational Director Libin Varghese, but the fact that they’re actively marking them as absconding cases is due to their dramatic increase. His agency had over ten absconding cases last week.
Under their sponsorship, travel agencies issue tourist visas, making them responsible for overstays. They can be fined up to AED 2,000 per day a person for stay in the country illegally.
Absconding is a criminal offence that can result in deportation and a ban from entering the country. It is worth noting that Emirates’ new visa rules allow visit visa holders to stay for up to 60 days.
