UAE tightens check on 'business' visitors at airport

Dubai, Nov 1: Immigration officials at the Dubai International Airport (DIA) are carrying out random checks and questioning of visitors arriving here on visit visas which mention 'business' as occupation.

The move follows an increase in the number of people entering the country for illegal practices in the last few months, a senior official of the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) said.

Colonel Salah bin Suloom, Director of Air and Land Passages Sector, DNRD, said ,''We noticed in the last couple of months that a large number of people entered the country to indulge in some illegal practices.

''Sometimes we suspect someone's claims of being a businessman, especially from his/her look or conduct and we ask the person to furnish the documents or cards that prove his credentials, including money transfers, business contracts, business cards and trade letters.'' Colonel Suloom denied the rumours that immigration officials at the DIA are asking businessmen to show big amounts of money, the Khaleej Times said.

''A big amount of money is just not a condition because anyone can easily acquire that sum by borrowing it from others. However, we inquire about the person's profession only when we have some doubts about him,'' he said.

UNI