UAE visitors looking to change their visa status by bus to Oman are facing challenges due to a surge in demand, resulting in fully booked visa change packages.
Buses to Oman operate at maximum capacity, so UAE visitors are advised to plan well in advance. They must apply for the package "a minimum of ten days before their visit visa expires", according to experts.
"Buses are running to capacity every day, and visitors who wish to make use of the service should book well in advance," declared Firoz Maliyakkal, founder and CEO of Tahira Tours and Travels. The demand for visa changes by bus travelling to Oman has shot through the roof. We are receiving over 100 inquiries."
Three bus services were previously offered daily by a private aggregator, but now many private agencies have started providing bus services to meet demand.
"Eight privately operated buses, with a seating capacity of over 300, run from Sunday to Wednesday and are fully booked for the next ten days," Feroz added.
An increase in airfare has resulted in an increase in demand, causing people to seek out more cost-effective ways to travel.
According to Shihab Parwad, managing director of Rehan Al Jazeera Tourism, "Previously, visitors preferred airport-to-airport services for visa changes, but the price has increased by nearly 20 percent.
Bus travel packages to Oman have become a popular option due to their affordability, resulting in an increase in demand for this type of visa change.
The package price for visa changes by bus ranges from Dh1,000 to Dh1,100, representing a cost difference of Dh400 to Dh500 compared to flights for airport-to-airport visa changes. Travel visas for Oman, a UAE visit visa for two months, exit fees, and one-night accommodation in Oman are included in the package, according to Parwad.
It is possible for visitors to stay for a day in Oman or return to the UAE on the same day, depending on how long their UAE visa is valid for.
According to the crowd at the border crossing, private buses depart Fish Roundabout in Deira at 10am and cross the UAE-Oman border by 1pm. "After the border crossing, we initiate the visa application process, which is typically issued within 10 hours,” said Parwad.
Upon receiving their visas, visitors begin their journey back to the UAE from Oman in the afternoon. “In case there is any visa issuance issue, they can stay for up to ten days (in the Sultanate). Nevertheless, starting the next day, you will be charged Dh25 per day if you have to extend your stay while waiting for a visit visa to be issued," Parwad said.