Palestinian faces month's stay in airport to get visa

Sharjah: A Palestinian has been stranded at Sharjah Airport for the past three days, having been denied entry following changes in visit visa rules.

Ayman Zaqout from Gaza had gone to the Iranian island of Kish on a visa-change run but his visa was rejected by the Ajman Naturalisation and Residency Department under the new rules. He works for a food supply company in Ajman which had paid his insurance and sent him to Kish. "Now I am told that I can only enter the UAE after one month has passed," he told Gulf News.

Zaqout cannot go back to Gaza because of the recent closure of the Rafah crossing. He also cannot go to any neighbouring country for the period as no Arab country will issue him a visa. The expatriate worker said he had been to Kish three times earlier to renew his visa. "I have no clue what to do," he said.

Zaqout is afraid that he might have to spend the month at the airport before he is allowed in. His sponsor said he was not aware of the new rules which came into effect in late July.

"No one objected when we applied for the visa," he said.

"We applied for the visit visa after paying the health insurance and completed all the documents. We paid the fees but no one at the Naturalisation and Residency Department objected to the application," he said. Senior officials at Ajman Naturalisation and Residency Department said no visa runs were permitted now. "After the expiry of the visa issued, one must leave the UAE for one month before another visa is issued," said an official.

"The Ministry of Interior was clear on that issue and people should be aware of that."

The new rules state that those who wish to obtain a fresh visit visa to the UAE must leave for one month before being issued another visa, thereby ending short visa runs to neighbouring countries such as Oman or the Iranian islands.