A UAE Royal wedding announcement, Schengen visa updates, Eid holidays and a Flydubai plane involved in an airport closure made the headlines this week.
It has been a busy week in the Middle East with reports on travel regulations and visas making the news.
Whether it was changes to Schengen visas for travellers heading to Europe or Kuwait denying expats residency visa renewal passport stamps were a hot topic.
Elsewhere the topic of WhatsApp video calls and 24-hour shopping garnered interest for many readers.
In Saudi Arabia there were rules about photography at the Grand Mosque and the possibility of foreigners being allowed to buy property in the Kingdom.
Check out the 10 biggest stories of the week as selected by Arabian Business editors.
Airport closed after Flydubai incident
An incident involving a Flydubai plane caused the Maldives Velana Airport to close on Tuesday.
Flydubai’s FZ1569 flight from Dubai to Maldives capital Male was attempting to land when rear tyres burst.
A report in the Aviation Herald said the Boeing 737-9 MAX plane was arriving in the Maldives and “landed on Male’s runway 36 when both right hand main tyres burst. The aircraft rolled out without further incident, came to a stop on the runway and was disabled.”
UAE Royal wedding: Dubai’s Sheikha Mahra to marry Sheikh Mana
Sheikha Mahra is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai.
According to reports she will marry Sheikh Mana Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Bin Mana Al Maktoum.
EU announces major Schengen Visa update for all nationalities
The proposal aims to introduce the possibility of applying for a Schengen visa online, replacing the current visa sticker with a digital visa. The proposal is also expected to make the Schengen visa application process more practical and improve the security of the Schengen area.
The proposed rules will create a single website where all Schengen Visa applications will be made, according to a report by SchengenVisaInfo.com. On the platform, applicants will be able to submit all relevant information, upload electronic copies of travel and supporting documents, and pay fees. The platform will also notify applicants of the decision concerning their visa application.
UAE Eid Al Fitr 2023: 4-day long weekend, expected dates revealed
Ramadan began on Thursday, March 23 which means that Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on April 20 or 21, based on the sighting of the moon.
Combining the dates of Eid with the weekend, UAE residents could likely get four days off on April 20, 21, 22 and 23. Confirmed dates for Eid will only be announced based on moon sightings after the Ramadan period.
Kuwait denies 5,000 expats from renewing residency visa
The expats reportedly submitted their renewal applications online, and stated “sickness, family situations and financial inability, among other reasons,” as their reasons to stay abroad for over six months.
“Other expatriates will also lose their iqamas this month for the same reason. The ministry, through the department of residency affairs, automatically and immediately cancels the residency of any expatriate who has been outside Kuwait for six months. Through an automated link with the Public Authority of Manpower and the Public Authority for Civil Information, the work permit of an expatriate whose residency has been cancelled is revoked, and their civil card is also cancelled,” sources at the interior ministry told Kuwait Times.
Dubai WhatsApp calls: Everything you need to know
Users are instead directed to paid apps, such as Botim to make internet calls. Recently, some users have reported being able to make phone calls using WhatsApp, although these reports remain unconfirmed.
The topic of lifting the ban on VoIP services has been frequently raised, but there has been no announcement as of yet. Dubai residents are able to use some other apps to make internet calls, however.
Saudi Arabia announces new Hajj, Umrah photography rules
“In the Two Holy Mosques, we take into account the sanctity of the place, so we have the etiquette of photography, and we preserve the rights of others,” The ministry said via a statement released on Twitter.
New guidelines to be followed:
- Not to take others’ pictures without their consent
- Not to take anyone’s pictures while they are praying
- Not to disturb anyone during worship
UAE announces 24-hour Ramadan shopping
Businesses in parts of the UAE will be able to stay open for 24 hours a day throughout Ramadan.
Ras Al Khaimah has announced that businesses will be permitted to stay open around the clock without the need for a special 24hr licence.
The emirate’s Department of Economic Development announced the news in an advisory shared on Friday, March 24.
Saudi to allow foreigners to buy property: Reports
Abdullah Alhammad, CEO of the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) said that a new law is under review is under development and will allow non-Saudi nationals to own property in all parts of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah.
The major property rule updates will cover residential as well as commercial property.
UAE issues parking warning to all drivers
“Drivers have to pay the parking fees as long as they occupy or use a parking space. That is to make sure that as many drivers as possible can use the available parking spaces,” the Municipality clarified.
The grace period to pay for parking from the time parked is 10 minutes. Payments can be made through the mobile applications, parking metres or SMS. Additionally, parking permits are available that allow motorists to pay a lumpsum amount that allows the driver to park at any parking within the pre-specified zone without having to pay each time.
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