ABU DHABI: This is 2023 and still there are Kerala natives flocking to Gulf nations looking for jobs. The erstwhile trend is still in practice though the numbers have plummeted as more people have found greener pastures in European heartlands. It is a general trend for people to arrive in Gulf countries on a visiting visa and then start searching for jobs in a hurry. According to data, more than 10,000 foreigners reach UAE annually in search of jobs.

Indians top the list of foreigners arriving in the country looking for better life prospects. But now, UAE has made certain changes in their visa policy which will surely bruise the hopes of many foreigners aiming to start a prosperous life in the desert land.

The UAE kingdom has discontinued the three-month (90 days) visa that has been in practice for so long. The visiting visas will now be restricted to just 30 or 60 days. The new rule will make life tough for foreigners, mostly Indians, who are hassling in search of jobs.

Mohammad Masiuddin, owner of 'Superjet Tours and Travels' in Dubai, said that only visiting visas for 30 days or 60 days are available.

“Our agency issues hundreds of visiting visas a day. Visiting visas obtained for a period of three months will no longer be available. If you want to extend it for another 30 days, you have to pay a fee of 900 dirhams (Rs 20,396). This applies only to those coming through travel agencies or tourism companies. However, Dubai residents can sponsor their family members and friends for a 90-day visa” said Mohammad Masiuddin.

The new decision will be a blow to Indians who have found a second home in Gulf countries. The strong social and economic ties between the two countries have resulted in the mass influx of Indians to UAE. In 2022, it was reported that 5 million Indians visited the UAE. Among this, a large number of people are tourists. The current change related to visas is likely to backfire on the Dubai tourism sector as well.