Arabian Business reports that UAEVisaTravel.com, a major online visa facilitator, saw enquiry volumes jump 30 per cent in April compared with March. CEO Imtiaz Nasir attributes the rebound to travellers compressing booking windows and demanding multiple-entry options that let them modify itineraries without restarting paperwork. The data matters for mobility planners because it signals renewed confidence after February’s regional air-space disruptions temporarily cooled demand. Internal tracking shows average lead time from application to travel falling from three-plus weeks last year to 7–14 days, forcing HR and travel teams to prepare documentation—invitation letters, ID copies, insurance—at record speed. Multiple-entry tourist and business visas are the biggest gainers, climbing roughly 25–30 per cent month-on-month. Uptake of express processing and bundled travel-insurance products also rose, suggesting risk-averse travellers are willing to pay premiums for certainty. Corporations hosting short-term assignees should note the shift: ensure invitation letters remain valid for at least 60 days, keep digital copies of passports on file, and pre-budget for express fees during peak periods. Vendors report no ICP processing backlogs yet, but the Ramadan-to-summer window typically strains capacity. Early filing and use of registered service centres (Amer in Dubai, Tas-Heel elsewhere) remain best practice. With Expo City gearing up for multiple MICE events in Q3 and the EU’s Entry/Exit biometric system set to slow Schengen border crossings, demand for UAE stopovers could climb further—making proactive visa planning a Q2 priority for regional mobility teams.
Source: Arabian Business
