Overview

• A transgender individual was denied entry into Dubai in February 2024 despite holding a valid visa, citing immigration policies against transgender travelers.
• The complainant sought compensation and refunds from the UAE Consulate and a travel agency for travel costs and mental trauma.
• The Mumbai consumer commission dismissed the complaint, stating that visa issuance is a sovereign process and not a service deficiency under Indian law.
• The commission noted that prior government permission is required to file such cases against foreign consulates, a rare and difficult process.
• The UAE Consulate did not participate in the proceedings, and the case was decided ex parte, with no further legal recourse available under the Consumer Protection Act.