Check residency visa validity before travel

Dubai: Some residents have complained about embassies rejecting visit visa applications if their UAE residency visa is valid for less than six months. They have had travel plans ruined since they cannot obtain a visit visa for countries abroad due to visit visa rejections. Vijay Kumar, a UAE resident from India, told Gulf News that upon applying for a Schengen visa he was notified that if his residency visa validity is six months or less, his application could get rejected. “Residency visas should not have a validity of less than six months because certain embassies fear that you may not return,” he explained. Kumar clarified that individuals can prevent such situations by renewing their residency visas in advance when they have marked their six-month validity. “I think it’s a wise idea, however, if someone’s visa is paid for by the company, it seems highly unlikely that they would renew employees’ residency visas six months prior to the expiry,” he said. Thomas Mathew, a UAE resident who was travelling to Bahrain, was refused permission to board the plane since he was going to attain a visa upon arrival with a residency visa expiry date that was near. “My wife and son’s visas had a validity of a year or so but mine was less than six months,” he explained. “The man from the airport told me that I should have renewed my visa prior to booking my ticket, however, it’s not that easy for my company to do.” Chandan Dutta, Holiday Consultant at Sun and Sky Tourism and Travel, explained that the travel agency applies the rules and regulations set by embassies. “We check if customers have visit visas to the country they wish to travel to. If they don’t, we inform them that they will be purchasing a ticket at their own risk and responsibility since we do not issue dummy tickets,” said Dutta. There were no definite answers from embassies sought, however, V-assist, the VFS Global’s helpline, inform applicants that passport and residency visas should be valid for at least 90 days from the intended date of return. The three-month validity from the return date grants individuals enough time to arrive at the UAE and renew their residency visas. A spokesperson from the British Embassy clarified that each visa application is considered on its individual merits. They added that for standard visitor visas all applicants must provide the necessary information that proves their departure from the UK, at the end of their visit, before the expiration date of the individual’s residency visa. http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/check-residency-visa-validity-before-travel-1.1541376