Strict immigration checks await passengers traveling to the UAE through Dubai Airports | Chennai News

Immigration Scrutiny Tightens for Travellers to UAE from Chennai and Kerala

Travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a bit more challenging for passengers from Chennai and Kerala as immigration scrutiny has been tightened at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports. In an effort to prevent people from misusing tourist visas, passengers are now required to have at least 60,000 in their bank account, a credit card, and a return ticket.

According to sources, passengers, especially first-time travellers, landing from airports in Tamil Nadu and Kerala are being randomly scrutinized upon arrival. Those travelling to Dubai and Abu Dhabi are facing delayed check-in at the city airport as airlines are now screening solo travellers, including women, in the age group of 20-35 with tourist visas.

The recent crackdown comes after the UAE deported a few passengers for not carrying return tickets or enough money for their stay with a tourist visa. Airlines are now double-checking passengers before boarding them to prevent further deportations, as it is the airline’s responsibility to bring back those who are deported.

Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels explained, “The checks are happening because it has been found that people are entering the UAE for jobs using tourist visas. Some of them cancel their return tickets and stay on. There is no problem for genuine tourists, family, and group travellers. They are checking first-time travellers, many of whom do not have 100 dirhams but would have travelled on a tourist visa.”

Sriharan Balan of Madura Travels added, “Tourists are not affected. A large number of them are travelling to the UAE. Immigration is checking for two things: people entering the UAE for jobs on tourist visas and the Kuruvi movement. A UAE visa is issued by multiple emirates. They say that a visa issued by Abu Dhabi cannot be used for landing in Dubai, and vice versa. So a lot of scrutiny is going on.”

The UAE has tightened the implementation of immigration norms after discovering that travellers were arriving without money or accommodation and sometimes misusing the 96-hour transit visa to stay on illegally. At least 10 people have been deported to India for travelling without a return ticket or proof of accommodation.

Despite the summer not being the usual travel season, several people have been travelling for holidays to the Middle East, resulting in full flights and high fares due to the high demand. Passengers are advised to ensure they have all necessary documents and funds in order to avoid any issues during immigration checks at the UAE airports.