At the Dubai airport. Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Overstaying UAE tourist visa: travel agents warn of filing absconding case

Travel agents have warned against filing absconding cases against tourists who overstay their visa, according to reports. In a post on social media, a travel agency warned that an absconding ban will be imposed and that “whoever is overstaying more than five days will be blacklisted”. Another post by a Dubai-based travel agency also expressed a similar message. The notices are not from immigration authorities in the UAE, but agents said they are forced to issue such warnings for their safety. Libin Varghese, operational director of Rooh Tourism, told media that since visit visa holders come under a travel agency’s sponsorship, they “incur losses” if the visitor overstays his visa term. The agency’s applications for new visas will also be pending while a visitor under their sponsorship overstays in the UAE. Currently, visitors overstaying their visa must also get an exit pass on top of paying their overstay fines in order to leave the country. In the UAE, absconding is considered a criminal offence. Violators may be arrested by police. ICA/Expat Media
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