Visit visa holders urged to book return ticket with same airline

India to UAE visit visa return ticket requirement

Visit visa holders flying from India to the UAE are being urged to book their return tickets with the same airline to avoid complications. Travel agents report that some airlines are enforcing this requirement, leading to passengers being denied boarding if their return flight is on a different carrier.

Taha Siddique, director of Siddique Travels, highlighted cases where clients faced issues due to booking their return flights with a different airline. "Advisories from some airlines state that if the journey to the UAE is booked with them, the return journey to India must also be booked with the same airline. Failure to comply may result in passengers being denied boarding," Siddique told Khaleej Times.

This sentiment is echoed by Noushad Hassan, managing director of Alhind Business Centre, who noted that while these advisories are mainly received by offices in India, it’s safer to book both legs of the journey with the same airline. Libin Varghese from Rooh Tourism also advises clients to book roundtrip tickets with the same carrier to ensure hassle-free travel.

Stricter checks at Dubai airports are contributing to this new advisory. Some passengers have been sent back home for not meeting entry requirements, with up to 40 passengers on a single flight being denied entry, according to Noushad. Travel agents stress the importance of carrying funds equivalent to Dh3,000, either in cash or on a credit card, and having valid proof of accommodation. Additionally, passengers must have a confirmed return ticket.

Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, explained that airlines bear the responsibility of returning passengers who are denied entry, leading to financial losses on seats. To mitigate these losses, stricter checks are being conducted at departure airports.

The summer season is seeing a surge in travel demand from India to the UAE, with full-capacity flights and increased airfares. Aidasani attributes this to India's summer holidays, making the UAE a popular and accessible destination. Consequently, travel agents are urging passengers to ensure they have all necessary documents and meet all entry requirements to avoid being stopped at airports.

Mir Waseem Raja, manager at International Travel Services, reported that several passengers have been denied boarding passes at Indian airports recently due to missing documents or insufficient funds. Travel agents are advising extra caution to ensure a smooth journey, emphasizing the importance of complying with all regulations and advisories from airlines.