Indian mission in Dubai flooded with visit visa travel queries

Dubai - Many enquiries are from families wishing to return.

The Indian mission in Dubai has been receiving a spate of enquiries from its citizens about travelling to the UAE on a visit visa, a diplomat has said.
As Khaleej Times reported, Dubai started issuing tourist visas to inbound passengers from almost all countries from last week. However, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor on Monday said that the Indian government is yet to decide whether to allow its citizens to travel on visit visas.
Neeraj Agarwal, Press Consul at the Consulate General of India in Dubai, said the issue has been raised with the Indian authorities and that he is "hopeful" it will be resolved soon.
Since the launch of a 'single-window' helpline system on Friday, the mission in Dubai has received "at least 800 emails" from distressed Indians. "We are receiving an average of 200-plus emails every day. Roughly, every fourth complaint is from residents in India who (want to) return to the UAE.
"Many enquiries are from families wishing to return. Visit visa holders include those with valid job offers, and there are some newborn cases and a few whose residency permits are not stamped on their passports," Agarwal said.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com 

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