Travelers in the UAE seeking a visa status change are increasingly turning to bus services to Oman, resulting in a complete sell-out of ‘visa-change packages’ offered by travel agencies. The shift in preference comes amidst a significant rise in airfares, prompting cost-conscious travelers to seek more affordable alternatives.
Firoz Maliyakkal, the founder and CEO of Tahira Tours and Travels, reported a substantial increase in demand for bus-based visa changes to Oman.
“Our buses are operating at full capacity daily. The number of inquiries has surged, averaging over 100 per day,” Maliyakkal stated in a Khaleej Times report, emphasizing the need for travelers to book these packages well in advance.
Previously, only three buses were operated daily by a private aggregator. However, to accommodate the soaring demand, many private agencies have commenced their bus services. According to Feroz, “Eight privately operated buses, seating over 300 passengers, run from Sunday to Wednesday. These are fully booked for the coming ten days.”
Shihab Parwad, managing director of Rehan Al Jazeera Tourism, pointed out that the preference for bus travel packages over the traditional airport-to-airport service for visa changes is mainly due to the cost-effectiveness. “The bus package, priced between Dh1,000 to Dh1,100, offers a significant saving of Dh400 to Dh500 compared to flight options for visa changes,” Parwad explained. The package covers travel visas to enter Oman, a two-month UAE visit visa, exit fees, and a one-night stay in Oman.
The bus journey, departing from Fish Roundabout in Deira at 10 am, reaches the UAE-Oman border by 1 pm. Upon crossing, the visa application process begins, usually concluding within 10 hours. Post-visa issuance, travelers have the option to return to the UAE on the same day or extend their stay in Oman, incurring an additional charge of Dh25 per day after the first ten days, should visa issuance delays occur.
Travel experts advise those looking to avail themselves of this service to plan their trips with a foresight of at least ten days prior to the expiration of their current visit visa to ensure a smooth transition and avoid inconveniences.