Families from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been in a race against time in recent weeks before the start of the academic year, as students admitted to US universities are experiencing difficulties obtaining visa invitations.
Families from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been in a race against time in recent weeks before the start of the academic year, as students admitted to US universities are experiencing difficulties obtaining visa invitations.
Parents note that limited visa processing in the UAE, combined with a shortage of appointment slots in their country of residence, creates uncertainty about whether their children will be able to start their studies on campus this fall. This situation has added stress to already challenging transition periods for many families whose children are preparing to travel to the US for undergraduate programs.
Some families are forced to consider alternative educational paths, while others continue to wait for appointments that could determine their children's academic future.
Akshay Jain reported that his son was accepted into a university in California, but the family encountered serious problems trying to schedule an appointment for the student visa. He noted that despite living in the UAE for over twenty years, they are now in a state of uncertainty due to the extreme difficulty in securing visa appointments.
Jain stated that they were advised to apply in India. However, despite multi-week attempts, they failed to secure a single open slot at any visa center. Attempts to find options in other regions also yielded no results, causing concern among parents and students.
Another family from the UAE was forced to reconsider its plans due to visa uncertainty. Alok Bhagwat reported that his son received offers from several well-known American universities, but the inability to schedule an appointment caused significant anxiety. When applying for a US visa through an agent, the family was directed to India, but the agent could not secure an appointment there or in the UAE.
The family found relief when the publication of IB results made it possible to consider Imperial College London in the UK. This alleviated their worry about finding a US visa.
US missions in the UAE informed Khaleej Times that although the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai remain open, routine visa processing is currently unavailable in the UAE. Maura Pfeiffer, a representative of the US Embassy in the UAE, explained that consular operations are focused on serving US citizens due to the threat of armed conflict and the departure of non-essential staff.
She emphasized that applicants should apply as early as possible and account for potential increases in processing times for these visa categories. Pfeiffer also recommended that all applicants schedule interviews in their country of permanent residence or citizenship. She warned that applicants applying outside their country of residence or citizenship may find it more difficult to prove eligibility for the required visa category.
Education consultants point out that visa issues exacerbate general concerns related to studying abroad, including rising tuition costs, policy changes, and questions of long-term return on investment. Reema Menon Vellat, founder and director of Counselling Point Training and Development, believes that the current geopolitical climate complicates international education planning. She also noted that some countries have introduced restrictions on issuing student visas.
Menon Vellat strongly advises families to assess post-study employment availability and opportunities before making a final choice of study location, as universities have increased their fees, forcing parents to consider the profitability of the investment given the dollar exchange rate against the local currency.
A school in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to capitalize on the growing public interest in motorsport by launching a specialized Motorsport Academy starting in the 2026-27 academic year. This program will provide students with a unique pathway combining racing skills, engineering, technology, and business.
The new program will operate within GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI) and will initially be available to students in grades 4-9. It is designed as a special enrichment program that goes beyond traditional sports offerings, providing children with practical experience in one of the world's fastest-growing industries.
Academy students will attend advanced weekly sessions at the Dubai Autodrome in Motor City, alongside their school studies, focusing on simulation racing, race strategy, entrepreneurship, and engineering. School leaders note that this initiative reflects a broader trend in education—a shift towards industry-linked learning experiences that connect classroom lessons with real career opportunities.
The launch comes amid an unprecedented surge in motorsport popularity in the UAE, driven by factors such as Formula 1, international races, karting programs, and the spread of simulation racing among youth.
Joshua Levenson, Director of Future Development at GEMS SRI, emphasized that the appeal of motorsport lies in its integration of multiple disciplines under one concept. He stated that the UAE has become a true motorsport hub due to world-class venues, major events, and growing opportunities for young people.
According to Levenson, young people engage with motorsport not only through the races themselves but also through gaming, technology, and digital platforms. This growing interest was a key motivation for the school's academy implementation. He noted that motorsport combines competition, technology, teamwork, and innovation in a way that strongly resonates with young people.
Furthermore, motorsport allows students to gain exposure to a wide range of sectors—from data analysis and engineering to design, media, and business—helping them develop skills necessary for the future workforce.
Educators believe this program aligns with the general trend of schools expanding opportunities beyond standard sports. Levenson added that while traditional sports will always be important, modern students are seeking more diverse options. He explained that the academy uses racing as a platform to build leadership, resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Levenson also believes that passion-based learning is becoming increasingly significant as students strive to establish stronger links between education and real life. The academy will introduce children to the numerous career paths existing behind the scenes of motorsport. While drivers often receive the spotlight, the industry heavily relies on engineers, software specialists, data analysts, designers, sports scientists, and marketers. As he observed, a child might join because of a love for racing but discover a passion for engineering, design, technology, or entrepreneurship in the process.
Interest from families is already high, and spots will be limited to ensure individual coaching and mentorship. School administrators suggest that the program may eventually be integrated into the Trailblazer school curriculum, further embedding industry-led learning into students' educational journey.
Thousands of Indian expats residing in the United Arab Emirates are facing unexpected tension due to the imminent expiration of their passports, especially during the peak summer travel season. Securing an appointment for document renewal has become a significant problem.
Several residents reported to Khaleej Times about difficulties in obtaining slots for passport renewals, describing days of uncertainty and anxiety as travel dates approached. The situation intensified after Indian missions in the UAE switched passport and other consular services to a system requiring prior booking, whereas previously many services were available on a walk-in basis.
Neha Bhagwat experienced an emotional ordeal when she discovered that her son's passport did not meet Thailand's requirement of six months validity, having only three days left. She stated that because tickets had already been purchased, she was extremely worried. The uncertainty was compounded by changes in the passport service process and issues accessing the booking portal. 'The booking link they shared with me simply didn't work, probably because too many people were trying to access it during the booking window,' she reported.
Bhagwat noted that repeated attempts by her and her husband were unsuccessful, and even a colleague who tried to help could not register. Eventually, the appointment was secured using her son's details. 'As soon as the appointment was secured, my husband and I went to the Consulate on Friday. There was a queue outside almost a kilometer long, and security checked whether applicants had confirmed appointments,' she recounted. She emphasized that visitors without confirmed slots were denied entry. After submitting the documents, the accumulated stress finally took its toll, and she couldn't hold back tears, stating: 'I can't believe I was standing there crying at the Indian Consulate.'
For some residents, the issue remains unresolved. Hasib Khan reported repeatedly trying to book an appointment but failing to complete the process. 'I couldn't book an appointment. I tried many times, but I don't receive any confirmation email. I need to travel outside the UAE for urgent matters. I don't know what to do now,' he said.
Harmeet Suri expresses concern about whether the renewed passports will arrive before the planned trips. 'We have to travel in the first week of August, and we recently realized that my daughter's passport expires soon. We went through the application process and provided all necessary documents,' he shared. The family received an email stating that the passport might take about 'three weeks for delivery,' which causes them anxiety given the approaching departure date.
Meanwhile, Indian missions stated that the transition to appointment-based service is aimed at managing the large flow of visitors during the peak tourist period. The Consulate in Dubai is recording a significant increase in applicants, with over a thousand people arriving for consular services on most days. Applicants are advised to use exclusively the official booking portal: book.passportindiauae.com.
In a recent public notice, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi reiterated that appointments for passport, visa, and legalization services can be booked directly through the official portal free of charge. The notice stated: 'All appointments for passport, visa, and legalization services can be booked directly through the official booking portal at no cost. The booking portal is book.passportindiauae.com. No fee is charged for booking an appointment, and no third party is authorized to charge a fee for this service.' The mission also warned residents not to pay agents or unofficial service providers claiming to arrange appointments, including BLS International, SGIVS Global, or other individuals and agencies.
