22 February 2017
Muscat: People who overstay in the United Arab Emirates on tourist visas are forcing travel agents to demand hefty cash deposits.

While an e-visa through the UAE government portal costs just OMR28, in some cases people are being asked to stump up as much as OMR55 and hand over OMR100 cash deposit. 

Dubai is a five-hour drive from Oman and the flight time is less than one hour, making it a weekend and short break stopover for many in the Sultanate. But when people abuse the system and overstay on tourist visas - it’s the travel agent back here in Oman who is hit with the hefty fine.

The fines amount to the cost of a return ticket to the absconding tourist’s home country – and partner agencies in the UAE expect their Omani counterparts to stump up half.

‘Refundable’ cash

Several travel agencies here have confirmed they now take a “refundable” cash deposit before issuing visas. The rule applies to people who cannot get a visa online – mainly blue collar workers.

Last year, the UAE government made it easier for people to travel there with the introduction of an online e-visa system. However, some are abusing the system, travel agents here say, and use the tourist visa to overstay in the UAE.

The Times of Oman spoke to a travel agent who said that the professions listed by the UAE government eligible for an online e-visa (Profile Visa) are investor, manager, accountant, doctor, engineer, teacher, travel agent, supervisor, business promoter, salesman (selected), journalist, and usually the assistants to these professions.

Outside of these categories, people need to apply for a tourist visa through a travel agent, which will cost more because it’s sponsored by local agencies in the UAE and they may charge extra along with the visa fees.

The visa can take anywhere between 24 hours to a week to come through. A travel agent at a reputed agency said that they require a safety deposit of OMR100 to be able to issue such a visa.

“We issue the tourist visa and charge OMR45 per passport. However, for some applicants, we need to keep a refundable deposit of OMR100 to issue a visa.

“This is because sometimes people go to the UAE and don’t come back and because we apply through our agents across the border, the government would charge them a fine for an absconding case and that is a hefty amount, so we can’t take that risk.”

Another agent said they charge a refundable deposit of between OMR100 to OMR150, adding: “Travel agents usually do this to ensure the return of the applicant from the UAE, otherwise they will have to bear heavy fines. It’s the people whose professions are not mentioned in the list who are charged this deposit.”

Some agents are now charging as much as OMR55 for the document and cite “other costs” as justification, while also demanding the refundable deposit of OMR100.

An agent at one of the leading travel agencies in Muscat said that they issue tourist visas for OMR55.

“We charge OMR40 to apply for an e-visa, however we need to take into account the nationality and profession of the person eligible for this visa. For the regular tourist visa we charge OMR55.”

Sometimes, the UAE government fines can be as high as OMR350, travel agents say.

Most people in Oman visit the UAE with the help of a ‘GCC Residents Entry Permit’ which is valid for a month and costs OMR28 if you are applying online.

According to the UAE’s Ministry of Interior website, there are two main types which expats travelling from Oman require.

“The first type is a profile visa, applicants of which can also apply for an e-visa through the website of the Ministry of Interior in the Emirates. The standard validity for such a visa is for 30 days with a stay period of 30 days as well. Although you can take it online for around OMR28, it can cost you up to OMR34 if you choose to apply through a travel agent.

“Type 2 is the ‘Tourist Visa’ and the most common visa issued to expats in Oman. This visa is usually issued to those who are not eligible to apply for an e-visa because of their profession. The standard validity for such a visa is for 30 days with a stay period of 14 days and can cost you from OMR45 to 55 or more,” added one agent.

© Times of Oman 2017