BURAIMI, OMAN // When Lydia left for the Omani border town of Buraimi to renew her visit visa, she expected to make it back for dinner at her sister's house in Abu Dhabi the next day.
Now, nearly five weeks later, she is living in a hotel room with five other people in the town straddling Al Ain and is still waiting to return to the UAE - just one of the thousands of people believed to have been stranded outside the country after attempting so-called visa runs that have recently been banned for many nationalities.
"We are suffering too much," said Lydia, 52, who declined to give her surname. Like many others, she said she had been promised her visas would eventually come through, "but nothing is happening".
Before the new rules took effect in July, people whose visit visas expired were able to renew them by making short trips to easily accessible neighbouring countries. The new procedures prevent visitors from all but 33 countries from re-entering the country immediately.
Officials advise they should return to their home countries for at least one month before returning to the Emirates. Some travel agencies admit they do not fully understand the revamped procedures and are still offering customers the short visa-renewal trips.
As a result, thousands are thought to be stuck in a sort of bureaucratic limbo in places such as Buraimi and Kish Island in Iran and some do not have the funds to return to their home countries. It is estimated that more than 6,000 Filipinos alone have been stranded outside the UAE.
Like many of the people stuck in Buraimi, Lydia arrived in Oman on a package deal offered by a travel agency, which included transportation by bus, a one-night hotel stay and assistance with visa procedures.
"I came to the UAE to be with my sister who works in Abu Dhabi, to find a job," Lydia said. "Now, I have no money to pay for the ticket if I have to go back to the Philippines. I don't want to have to go back."
Yesterday, scores of people, mostly Filipinos, crowded into the lobbies of several Buraimi hotels, waiting to find out whether they would be allowed to return to the UAE.
Others said they were simply taking respite from cramped hotel rooms. In some cases up to eight people are living in one room. Gaye, 22, has been in Buraimi for more than three weeks, paying Dh50 a night to stay in a hotel room with five other women. She was due to start work as a secretary with a company in Abu Dhabi.
"I don't even know if I have a job to go back to now. I am very frustrated. Nobody would be happy in this situation," she said. "Hopefully I'll be able to go back after Eid."
Her travel agency maintains that she will be able to return to the UAE.
Outside the hotel, dozens gathered as dusk fell on another day in Buraimi. They were simply waiting, sitting on plastic chairs outside the hotels, jostling for space on couches in the lobbies. Some already had their luggage by their side in case a call came that their visa applications had been approved.
After eight days in Buraimi, Ronald, 30, a graphic designer from Manila, was told that his application was rejected, but no one told him why. It was his first visa run after living in Dubai for six years.
The travel agent "didn't give us a reason", he said, surrounded by several friends in similar predicaments. "They said they don't know, but won't give us the evidence or any documents to prove it. We don't know what's happening. Maybe my application is still pending."
Some said they were on visit visas on the advice of their employers pending the completion of probationary periods. Others were employed "off the books" due to rules that allow their previous employers to ban them from working for another company for six months or were simply living in the UAE on visit visas.
While there was frustration at travel agents for giving out false information, some criticised the rule change itself. "I trust my agency. They're Filipinos so they should help me," said Vinecia, 35, one of a large group that had congregated on the front lawn of the Buraimi Hotel.
Her friend, Christina, 31, who had been looking for a job in sales in the UAE, has been staying at the hotel for the past 20 days, since she was informed by her travel agency that her visa renewal application had been rejected on the basis that she had entered the country too many times.
"I feel so bad," she said. "Why is this happening? I am spending so much money and I don't know what is going on."
Also among the crowd was Mona, 30, an Iranian pianist who had been in Buraimi since Saturday and was supposed to have performed at a recital in Dubai this week.
"I am not working in Dubai. I just wanted to stay for one more month and couldn't find a seat on a plane back to Iran, so I came here," she said. "My family in Iran don't know what's happening. They would be too worried."
Local hotel managers said they were negotiating with Omani authorities to allow the stranded passengers to stay longer in Buraimi to resolve their visa problems.
"Most of these people are staying here for over one month, without a salary, so we are doing what we can to help," said Jamal al Safar, general manager of Al Salam Hotel. "If they have no money, maybe some will turn to doing something wrong. This is a very bad situation for them."
However, another manager, who declined to be identified, disputed that anyone was "stranded". They were free to return to their home countries, he said.
"They are just waiting for their time here to elapse, but they are not stranded," he said from behind the front desk of his hotel, while dozens of people clamoured for information about their visas.
Some of those stuck in Buraimi said they were lucky enough to have friends or family in the UAE who were able to send them some money. Others are not as fortunate. "If my visa gets rejected again, I will have to borrow more money to get home as I don't have enough. I am so worried," said Richard, 32, from Manila.
"I came to the UAE to work and earn money. Instead I am spending all my money. It's the opposite."
zconstantine@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
More on Quran memorisation:
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Final round
25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)
23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)
21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)
20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)
19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
The currency conundrum
Russ Mould, investment director at online trading platform AJ Bell, says almost every major currency has challenges right now. “The US has a huge budget deficit, the euro faces political friction and poor growth, sterling is bogged down by Brexit, China’s renminbi is hit by debt fears while slowing Chinese growth is hurting commodity exporters like Australia and Canada.”
Most countries now actively want a weak currency to make their exports more competitive. “China seems happy to let the renminbi drift lower, the Swiss are still running quantitative easing at full tilt and central bankers everywhere are actively talking down their currencies or offering only limited support," says Mr Mould.
This is a race to the bottom, and everybody wants to be a winner.
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m, Winner: ES Rubban, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Jabalini, Tadhg O’Shea, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: AF Abahe, Tadgh O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Makerah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Law Of Peace, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Company%20profile
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2019 Asian Cup final
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
