Travel agencies warn of unexplained United Arab Emirates visa denials for Kenyans below 40

Concerns have emerged over a sudden wave of visa rejections targeting Kenyan passport holders seeking to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Several applicants have reported having their visa requests denied, sparking confusion and frustration among families and travel agents.

While no official explanation has been issued by the UAE, affected travellers have indicated that most of the rejections appear to affect individuals under the age of 40.

Speaking to The Eastleigh Voice on Thursday, a Kenyan citizen who requested anonymity said they were forced to cancel a planned family trip after only two out of four visa applications were approved despite providing all the required documents.

“We had booked a holiday for four, myself, my daughter, my husband and my brother. We applied for a family visa, and only mine and my daughter’s were approved, yet we had attached air ticket and hotel payment receipts,” she explained.

She noted that they will have to cancel the trip, which had cost over Sh600,000, since only two out of four family members received visa approvals.

“I’ll have to cancel. We can’t go just the two of us, it was a family trip,” she said.“Now I’ll incur additional charges next time, like Sh170,000 for the hotel and flight, since I’ve cancelled.”

Tourist visa applications

The problem, according to several travel agencies, appears to have started about a week ago and is largely affecting 30 and 60-day tourist visa applications submitted by male travellers under 40 years.

While older applicants have had their requests processed successfully, the silence from UAE immigration authorities has left agents struggling to respond to growing pressure from their clients.

In a public update on Thursday, Shalom Africa Destinations also raised the issue, noting that the UAE had imposed temporary visa restrictions on Kenyan and Sri Lankan passport holders.

“We would like to inform you that there is currently a temporary restriction by UAE immigration authorities on visa applications for Kenyan and Sri Lankan passport holders,” the agency said in a Facebook post.

“Applicants aged above 40 years are more likely to receive approvals under the current guidelines. To avoid unnecessary risks and processing issues, we kindly request that you understand this situation well before submitting any visa applications to us.”

Fines for rejected applications

The agency warned that some rejected applications could attract fines and urged clients to provide full documentation when travelling as a family.

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“Married couples, regardless of age, should share marriage certificates. If travelling as a family with kids, share both marriage and birth certificates for the children,” reads the update.

Bonfire Adventures CEO Simon Kabu had also acknowledged the issue on June 23.

“Please note that for Kenyan passport holders, there has been some rejection of Dubai visas for the last week, especially for those below 40 years. Waiting for this to be resolved,” he wrote in a Facebook post dated June 23.

The pattern of rejections has also prompted warnings from social media users, who have advised Kenyans to delay their visa applications until the situation is clarified.

“Just a heads up, Dubai started rejecting most Kenyan visa applications (both 30 and 60 days) around two days ago,” Facebook user Pinkelle Valentine wrote on June 21.

“Right now, about 90 per cent are being denied, so if you haven’t applied yet, it’s better to pause and avoid losing your money.”

Kenyan travellers usually apply for short-term tourist visas valid for 30, 60, or 90 days, which permit them to visit family, attend business meetings, or explore the UAE.