DUSHANBE, Tajikistan. August 28/Asia-plus/ –Tajik nationals have taken to social media to express frustration over difficulties in securing visas for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Over the past two weeks, many have reported unexplained rejections, a concern echoed by several travel agencies.
Men Face Visa Rejections
Notably, men applying for visas individually appear to be particularly affected. A representative from “Prestige Tour” confirmed that while family applications are approved, solo male applicants face rejection. The UAE embassy has suggested that even minor visa overstays might lead to denials, though no official reasons have been provided.
Hikmatullo Juraev of Fly.tj travel company also corroborated this issue, noting that Fly Dubai cited legal violations by Tajik citizens in Dubai as a reason for denying visas to unaccompanied men. Fly.tj has stopped accepting individual applications from men to avoid potential refund disputes.
The problem has persisted for over 20 days, with “Atlas Tour” confirming similar experiences. The company reported that even male applicants with their families face uncertainty, possibly due to concerns over illegal employment in Dubai.
Authorities Aware and Investigating
The Tajik Foreign Ministry has acknowledged the issue and is in communication with UAE representatives to seek clarification. They have promised to address the matter swiftly.
It’s worth noting that the visa fee for Tajik citizens to the UAE is 1067 somoni (approximately £65). Since January 2022, Tajikistan has allowed citizens from 52 countries, including the UAE, to visit without a visa for up to 30 days.
