Latest news with #UAEResidents
The National
18-06-2025
- Business
- The National
'I feel powerless': Emiratis and UAE residents stranded abroad as Iran-Israel conflict rages
Emiratis and UAE residents have been stranded abroad as governments and airlines cancel flights in response to the Israel-Iran conflict. The closure of Iranian and Israeli airspace, along with disruptions to other countries in the region, has left travellers to find alternative routes home. The hostilities show no signs of slowing after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for a strike on its military sites last Friday. Among those caught in the upheaval is Emirati lawyer Mohammad Al Redha, who travelled to Beirut last Thursday on his first visit since the UAE lifted its travel ban to Lebanon. Mr Al Redha's return flight with Emirates, scheduled for Sunday, was cancelled less than 12 hours before it was scheduled to take off. 'My return ticket was for Sunday but the airline sent a message before departure that the flight was cancelled,' Mr Al Redha said. He went to the airport with his friend around midnight on Saturday in the hope of finding any flight leaving Lebanon. When he arrived at the airport, he found it was closed and waited until it reopened at 6am. 'There was panic and everyone was trying to leave," he said. 'The Middle East counters were very busy. We managed to get a ticket to Istanbul and then we booked a flight with Emirates to Dubai. We landed safely at Terminal 3 around 12pm on Sunday. 'The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted me when I was in Lebanon and again on arrival. I'm deeply thankful for the UAE's efforts in looking after its citizens.' Dubai resident Mohammad Diba is stranded in his native Syria after travelling home to Aleppo for his annual leave. Since then, his flight back to the UAE has been cancelled twice. 'I was travelling back to Dubai when the war unfolded. My flight on Syrian Air was rescheduled for Sunday and later it was cancelled. I don't know what to do,' he said. Waiting to return The 44-year-old, who works in a private company in Dubai, said that he is eager to return to the Emirates and return to work. 'My workplace was supportive and understand the situation but I'm nervous now as it looks like there is no hope of opening the airspace,' he added. 'I offered to work online.' The unexpected delay has cost Mr Diba. He drove for five hours in a rented car at the weekend to reach the airport in Damascus, only to find the flight was suspended which left him no choice but to return to Aleppo. He made the journey again the next day only to find the flight had been cancelled. 'It's financially and mentally exhausting. I don't know what to do,' he said. For Dubai resident Zainab Saeed, a trip to Baghdad on the first day of Eid Al Adha was her first in 27 years after leaving Iraq. 'I was eager to see Baghdad after all this time and I left with my husband. We were supposed to return on June 15 when the airspace was closed,' the 47-year-old said. Air Arabia sent a message to her husband notifying them that the return flight to Sharjah was cancelled. 'They didn't provide any alternatives or explanation,' she said. This led to the couple trying to find routes back to the UAE. 'At first, we thought we could travel by a vehicle to Jordan and then find a flight to the UAE but it was a complicated route,' she said. They had heard that Iraqi Airways were operating from Basra International Airport in southern Iraq but they could not get a ticket. 'It was chaos in Basra as many travellers went in hope to get a flight. We felt hopeless as the airport couldn't handle the crisis,' she said. They applied for a transit visa to Kuwait to cross the land border. 'In theory, a transit visa can be issued in 24 hours but on the ground it takes three days. If we secure the visa then we can travel by car to Kuwait and then book a ticket to the UAE,' she said. Ms Saeed, a consultant in a private company, said her workplace was trying to help and support her. 'They understand my situation but I feel that I'm powerless,' she said. 'It is one of the toughest trips in my life.'
Khaleej Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE residents lost over Dh20 million in rejected Schengen visa applications in 2024
UAE residents hoping to visit Europe 'wasted' a whopping Dh20.6 million (€4.93 million) in 2024 due to rejected Schengen visa applications, according to a recent report. The latest data from Schengen Visa Info revealed that a total of 260,229 visa applications were filed from the UAE — marking an 11.24 per cent increase from 2023. Of these, 61,738 applications were rejected, amounting to a 23.72 per cent rejection rate. The rejection rate was an 18 per cent rise compared to the previous year. The report also revealed that UAE residents accounted for 2.2 per cent of global applications, making the Emirates the 10th country with the most Schengen visa applications filed last year. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Schengen visa cost The Schengen visa, which allows permits seamless travel across 27 European countries, cost €80 (Dh333) up until June 11, 2024, not including additional service and documentation fees. This brought the total spent by UAE applicants on Schengen visas in 2024 to nearly Dh87 million (€20.8 million). In total, since 2014, UAE-based applicants have spent over Dh700 million (€170 million) on Schengen visa applications. Top 10 Schengen destinations Germany was the most preferred Schengen destination, receiving 32,956 applications from UAE residents. It granted 23,753 visas to UAE residents, resulting in an approval rate of 72.07 per cent. However, Germany also recorded the highest number of rejections, with 8,778 visa applications denied. Following Germany, the second most popular destination among UAE residents was the Netherlands, with 29,473 applications, followed by France in third place with 28,778 applications. Switzerland ranked fourth as a sought-after Schengen destination with 27,148 applications, followed by Spain in fifth, which received 24,799. Italy was the sixth most preferred destination with 23,240 applications, followed by Greece, which processed 17,974. Eighth on the list was Denmark with 12,846 applications, followed by Norway with 12,007, and Hungary with 9,717. Meanwhile, Lithuania received the least visa applications from the UAE, with just 202 submissions. In total, 198,093 Schengen visas were granted to UAE residents last year. Poland was the easiest country to secure a visa from, approving 85.89 per cent of its 23,753 applications. Meanwhile, Croatia and Denmark had the highest rejection rates, declining 53.03 per cent and 49.75 per cent of all applications from the UAE, respectively.
Arabian Business
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Business
Dubai Parks and Resorts unveils limited-time offer for UAE residents
Dubai Parks and Resorts has launched a special offer for UAE residents, providing access to one theme park for AED199 per person from May 9 to 25, 2025. Residents can choose from four parks: MOTIONGATE Dubai, Real Madrid World, LEGOLAND Dubai, or LEGOLAND Water Park. MOTIONGATE Dubai, the region's largest Hollywood-inspired theme park, features 29 rides and attractions based on popular films. Dubai Parks and Resorts announces two-week discount for residents Visitors can experience rides such as John Wick: Open Contract, Now You See Me: High Roller, and Capitol Bullet Train from The Hunger Games. Family options include Smurfs Studio Tour s, Hotel Transylvania, and Kung Fu Panda: Unstoppable Awesomeness. Real Madrid World, the first theme park dedicated to the football club, offers attractions including Hala Madrid Coaster, Stars Flyer, and La Fábrica Training Pitch. The park aims to appeal to visitors regardless of their interest in football. LEGOLAND Dubai targets families with children aged 2-12, featuring 40 rides and attractions across six themed lands. The park combines play with creativity through LEGO-inspired experiences. For those seeking water-based activities, LEGOLAND Water Park offers slides, a Wave Pool, and a water playground. Attractions include the Red Rush slide and a lazy river where visitors can float on LEGO rafts. website.
