Lengthy waiting times for visa appointments, decision delays, and visa rejections are prompting UAE residents to modify flight and hotel reservations or abandon original travel destinations in favour of locations with simpler entry formalities, Emirates 24|7 reported. Appointment waiting periods for certain destinations can extend up to two months, particularly during holiday peak periods.
Diana Pearson, General Manager of Atlantis Holidays, noted that ease of obtaining visas has become increasingly influential for UAE residents, especially those planning travel to European Schengen countries, the United States, Canada, and Australia. She noted that travel agencies are observing rising interest in destinations that do not require advance visas, supported by simplified entry rules, competitive costs, and strong flight connectivity with the UAE.
Industry executives highlighted that competitive pricing alone is no longer adequate to confirm bookings. Salah Mansour, CEO of STS at Dubai Link Group, and Alaa Al-Ali, Director of Nirvana Tourism and Travel Company, stated that travellers increasingly evaluate entry flexibility and processing timelines, with some Asian destinations capturing travel demand previously bound for Europe due to options like e-visas and visas on arrival.
In response to appointment constraints, an official spokesperson for VFS Global stated that appointments are offered online on an equal and transparent basis in accordance with consular regulations and capacity. Meanwhile, survey figures cited from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicate that 43% of travellers in the Middle East have refrained from visiting a tourist destination due to complex immigration requirements, while 60% of travellers globally prefer digital visa application processes.
Sources
- Emirates 24|7 · 2026-11-05
