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Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'I can travel the world': Why UAE residents want US visa despite additional fee
An additional fee of $250 to apply for a US visa may not stop UAE residents from applying, as many believe it still offers various other benefits. From ease of travelling to many countries to visa-free entries in other countries, residents said the long-term benefits are more with multiple trips to the US. Mohammad Sajid, a businessman living on Al Maktoum Road, said the visa has added a lot of value for his travel plans. 'I got the US visa mainly for a business trip to New York, but now I have used it to visit Mexico and even got my other countries' visas easily because of it,' said Sajid. As part of a major immigration reform bill, US President Donald Trump earlier this month signed into law the 'one big beautiful bill', which includes a new 'Visa Integrity Fee'. This fee adds $250 on top of the existing $185 non-immigrant visa fee, bringing the total cost to at least $435 for applicants. The amount could rise in future based on inflation. The charge applies to all non-immigrant visa categories, tourist, student, or work, and cannot be waived, although in certain cases, it may be reimbursed. Despite the additional cost, Sajid believes people will still apply because of the long validity the visa offers. 'It is valid for 10 years. You pay once and can use it so many times. Unlike the Schengen visa, which costs hundreds of dirhams and is often valid only for a few weeks or months.' Saeed Hashim, a resident of Al Barsha and a finance professional who got his US visa a few years ago, said that the visa helped him to visit other countries without hassle. 'I have used my US visa for more than just America,' he said. 'Turkey, the Dominican Republic, and other countries allow e-visas or visa-free entry if you have a valid US visa. It saves you the headache of applying for new visas again and again.' He added that his visa also helped during long airport layovers. 'I once had a 12-hour layover in Chicago. We left the airport, saw the city, had dinner, and came back. You can't do that in most countries without a visa.' Travel industry executives said that because of added benefits, the demand will not dip despite the higher fee. 'People were paying $185 for US visa and this new fee will not make much of a difference. It won't really affect serious applicants,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. 'When you apply with a good salary and proper documents, a US visa becomes a strong credential. It makes getting other visas much easier, and for many countries like Turkey or even Georgia, it opens doors to e-visas or visa-free travel,' said Subair. 'For example, a Turkey visa can cost you Dh765 in total, and you still need to submit your passport to the embassy. But if you already have a US visa, you can get an e-visa instantly,' added Subair. He further said that the visa allows for smooth transit through airports across the world. 'We have seen people willing to wait a year for a US visa appointment and that shows how valuable it is.' Pavan Poojari, travel consultant at Luxury Travels, said they are watching the situation closely. 'Right now, we are in a bit of a wait-and-watch mode. The US systems are undergoing updates, and currently, we don't have full access to the new visa application system.' He said that there is a lot of anticipation in the travel industry and everyone wants to know what changes might be introduced. 'We are monitoring the situation and are hopeful that the new system will be operational very soon. Once it's live, there will be more clarity and efficiency in the process.'
Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Tailor held in UP's Bareilly for uploading ‘pro-Pak' video on social media
A 22-year-old tailor was arrested in Bareilly district on Monday for allegedly uploading a video on social media in support of Pakistan, police said. The accused was identified as Mohammad Sajid, a resident of Girdharpur village. The police said the post aimed at disturbing communal harmony and spreading hatred and animosity. A case was registered against Sajid under Sections 197 (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 353 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Deorania police station. Sajid's mobile phone which contained anti-national and pro-Pakistan videos was seized, the police said, adding it will be sent for forensic examination. The matter came to light after some local residents objected to the content. 'Mohammad Sajid will be produced in court on Tuesday. On checking his phone, we found a lot of objectionable content,' said Deorania Station House Officer (SHO) Dinesh Kumar Sharma. Meanwhile, a video purportedly showing Sajid raising a 'Pakistan Murdabad' (down with Pakistan) slogan in police custody is circulating on social media. Man jailed for sharing video on Pak claim Meanwhile, a 27-year-old man was arrested in Sambhal for allegedly sharing a video on his Facebook page in which it was claimed that India's fighter plane Rafale was shot down by Pakistani forces, police said. According to police, Jamaat Ali, was arrested after it was found that he had shared a video claiming that India's Rafale fighter jet was shot down by Pakistan and its pilot taken captive. During investigation, it was found that Ali has also allegedly liked and shared several other videos in support of Pakistan on his Facebook account, police said, citing the FIR. Ali has been booked under Section 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India) of the BNS, police said. —with PTI
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
14 booked in Gujarat, 3 in West Bengal, one in Uttar Pradesh
Police have booked 14 individuals for allegedly posting "anti-national" and "morale-breaking" content on social media following Operation Sindoor , the armed forces' offensive targeting terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK. The accused include a businessman and the convener of the Sardar Patel Sanman Sankalp Andolan Samiti . #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare In West bengal, three persons-including a primary school teacher posted in a government school-were arrested on Monday from two districts for "anti-India" posts related to the operation. In all these cases, local BJP leaders flagged the content to district police authorities, prompting legal action. In UP, a man was arrested for allegedly posting a video supporting Pakistan on social media, a police official said on Monday. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Windows Users Don't Forget To Do This Before Monday Read More Undo Mohammad Sajid, a resident of Girdharpur village in Bareilly, was arrested for writing "Pakistan Zindabad" and posting its video on Facebook.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
5 madrassas sealed in U'khand ‘despite being granted recognition'
Kautilya SinghDehradun: Five madrassas, including three in Dehradun, have claimed they were sealed by local authorities in Uttarakhand despite having been granted official recognition by the state madrassa board. Seminary managers blamed it on "delay in delivery of letters". This comes even as an intense drive against "illegal" madrassas is currently on in the Darul ul Quran Shakuriya in Kedarwala area of Vikasnagar, Dehradun, was granted recognition on Feb 27. The certificate was delivered on March 15, and the institution was sealed on March 11. A similar situation occurred at Madrassa Qasmiya Darululoom Ansiya in Vikasnagar and Darul Uloom Mohammadiya in Kargi, Doon. Operation Sindoor India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far How India used 'Sudarshan Chakra' to take down Pak drones, missiles Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Both were sealed on March 11, while the recognition certificates arrived on March Mohammad Sajid, manager of Darul ul Quran Shakuriya, said, "We repeatedly told the authorities that the maanyata (recognition) has been given by the board and we were waiting for the letter. But despite our requests, the madrassa was sealed. After getting the letter, we have contacted the district authorities..." He added that around 30 students, who went to regular school, used to attend religious studies at the madrassa for an of Qasmiya Darululoom Ansiya, Mohammad Ansiya, said, "We had initially applied in 2020 but due to Covid, the matter got delayed. In 2023, we were told that there were some shortcomings in the documents. Subsequently, all formalities were completed and the application was submitted on Feb 2, 2024."Meanwhile, chairman of the madrassa board, Mufti Shamoon Qasmi told TOI: "Five such cases – three in Doon and one each in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar – have come to our knowledge, and for the time being, we've suspended the sealing work. A probe is on. When they provide the documents, the madrassas would be allowed to operate."He claimed the verification of the applications is done by the minorities welfare department and the permission is granted by the board. "The other applications had certain shortcomings and the applicants were asked to resubmit them later," Qasmi added. He pointed out that two kinds of recognition – temporary and permanent – are given to the madrassas. "They need to get the renewal done after every five years," he was also claimed by madrassa operatives that after chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced action against illegal madrassas last year, the Madrassa Recognition Panel held a meeting on Feb 27 — the first such event after a gap of at least five years. The panel "hurriedly reviewed" 147 applications — 88 for new recognition and 59 for renewal, it was alleged. Of these, 49 new applications and 50 renewals were approved. Over 180 madrassas have been sealed by the state govt till SinghDehradun: Five madrassas, including three in Dehradun, have claimed they were sealed by local authorities in Uttarakhand despite having been granted official recognition by the state madrassa board. Seminary managers blamed it on "delay in delivery of letters". This comes even as an intense drive against "illegal" madrassas is currently on in the Darul ul Quran Shakuriya in Kedarwala area of Vikasnagar, Dehradun, was granted recognition on Feb 27. The certificate was delivered on March 15, and the institution was sealed on March 11. A similar situation occurred at Madrassa Qasmiya Darululoom Ansiya in Vikasnagar and Darul Uloom Mohammadiya in Kargi, Doon. Both were sealed on March 11, while the recognition certificates arrived on March Mohammad Sajid, manager of Darul ul Quran Shakuriya, said, "We repeatedly told the authorities that the maanyata (recognition) has been given by the board and we were waiting for the letter. But despite our requests, the madrassa was sealed. After getting the letter, we have contacted the district authorities..." He added that around 30 students, who went to regular school, used to attend religious studies at the madrassa for an of Qasmiya Darululoom Ansiya, Mohammad Ansiya, said, "We had initially applied in 2020 but due to Covid, the matter got delayed. In 2023, we were told that there were some shortcomings in the documents. Subsequently, all formalities were completed and the application was submitted on Feb 2, 2024."Meanwhile, chairman of the madrassa board, Mufti Shamoon Qasmi told TOI: "Five such cases – three in Doon and one each in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar – have come to our knowledge, and for the time being, we've suspended the sealing work. A probe is on. When they provide the documents, the madrassas would be allowed to operate."He claimed the verification of the applications is done by the minorities welfare department and the permission is granted by the board. "The other applications had certain shortcomings and the applicants were asked to resubmit them later," Qasmi added. He pointed out that two kinds of recognition – temporary and permanent – are given to the madrassas. "They need to get the renewal done after every five years," he was also claimed by madrassa operatives that after chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced action against illegal madrassas last year, the Madrassa Recognition Panel held a meeting on Feb 27 — the first such event after a gap of at least five years. The panel "hurriedly reviewed" 147 applications — 88 for new recognition and 59 for renewal, it was alleged. Of these, 49 new applications and 50 renewals were approved. Over 180 madrassas have been sealed by the state govt till now.
