For the past couple of years, getting a UAE visa was very straightforward and easy. One could get a visa issued within 48 hours – and in other cases, in 24 hours.

However, in the last couple of weeks, numerous tourists and agents have been stranded not knowing what to do following delays at the immigration offices.

Recently, UAE tightened its visa requirements and this is seen as one of the major reasons for the delay.

Not only are local agents finding it difficult but also Emirates itself.

Emirates recently opened its first World Store in Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.

One of the services that the store offers is processing of visas and one of our sources tells us that even they are being hit with these delays.

This will definitely cause a lot of travelers to either change their travel dates or cancel their trips all together.

There will also be confusion with hotel bookings as the tourists faced with delays will have to change the dates and being a festive season, getting new dates will not be that easy.

So, if you are planning to visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi any time soon, it is crucial to start your application process 1 and a half weeks to the date of travel to give yourself ample time and be on the safe side.

Also, remember that getting travel insurance is important as one might get reimbursed for canceled or delayed flights as well as baggage loss or medical emergencies. To find out more, check out this article by Sunland Insurance Brokers on the benefits of getting travel insurance as a Kenyan.