The airport-to-airport change service rate has gone up by nearly 20 per cent in the United Arab Emirates, Khaleej Times reported while quoting travel industry experts, as visitors plan to extend their visas.

Shihab Parwad, the managing director of Rehan Al Jazeera Tourism, said that the airlines have increased the airfare by nearly Dh125 (over Rs9,000). He added that the cold weather has increased the demand among visitors for staying in the country.

The airport-to-airport visa change allows visitors to have a new tourist visa by visiting the nearest country rather than returning to their home country. The visa change can be received on the same day or visitors can spend a night in the neighbouring country and return the following day.

The same-day process requires four hours, including flying out, waiting in the airport of the neighbouring country, and returning on a later flight.

The cancellation of 90-day visas has increased the demand for 60-day visas, as per tourism companies.

“The price of a 60-day visa used to start at Dh1,300. Now the price starts at Dh1,500,” said Libin Varghese, the head of operations and sales at Rooh Travel and Tourism LLC.

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The price depends on the timing of booking a package, he said and added that it would be better to have a booking in advance.

Moreover, the price for a 30-day visa change by air has also been increased from Dh1,200 to Dh1,300 (starting rates).

As per experts, most of the longer-duration visas were preferred by senior citizens who were not willing to travel regularly.