Indian woman granted emergency UAE visa to visit critical husband in Dubai

Tweets from Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj helped an Indian woman expedite a visit visa to visit her critical husband admitted at a hospital in Dubai, UAE.

Diplomatic missions, prompted by a tweet from the Swaraj, intervened to help process a UAE visit visa for Garima (Twitter handle: @agg_garim) over the weekend. Garima's tweets addressed at the minister revealed that her husband had suffered a brain stroke, and required an urgent visa under medical emergency.

Garima, who has been actively tweeting about her husband's situation since January 17, revealed that her husband could've suffered an Ischaemic stroke.


She tweeted @SushmaSwaraj on Thursday night, "Dear @SushmaSwaraj mam, my husband is in critical condition in Dubai, brain stroke. I applied for an urgent visa under medical emergency. Though I hope the visa should come any moment, mam, please help. Mam, tomorrow UAE embassy is closed for Friday. Please help."

Her tweet was retweeted over 1,500 times, and the minister replied to her tweets early Saturday morning, saying, "I am sorry to know this. Rest assured we will definitely help you." Tagging the Consulate General of India's Twitter handle, Swaraj urged Consulate General Vipul to look into the matter. She tweeted again saying, "I have also asked Vipul our @cgidubai to provide all help to your husband in the hospital and keep you informed."


Officials at the CGI revealed that her visa has been processed and she can travel to the UAE in the next couple of hours. An official at the Consulate said, "Our representatives have also visited the hospital and met their relatives. We will continue to provide them with help." Replying to Khaleej Times, Garima also revealed that her husband's condition has improved since Friday afternoon and is expected to leave to Dubai Friday night.

Just got a call personally from @SushmaSwaraj mam personally. I m speechless. She is travelling to Pondicherry, n called up on the way. I m told embassy has been working on my case since 9.30 pm yesterday. Things will move today. Many many thanks mam.
- Garima (@agg_garima) January 19, 2018

We have been told by Dubai authorities that visa has been done and Garimaji should receive it in the next 1-2 hours. Our official has also visited the hospital and met their relatives. We will continue to provide all help.
- India in Dubai (@cgidubai) January 19, 2018

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai
• India

Dhanusha Gokulan

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com