The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has changed its entry rules for international travelers with effect from 21 November. Indian airlines like Air India and Indigo have issued statements informing passengers about the change.
In a circular posted on its site, Air India has said that no passport holder with the same name will be allowed to enter the UAE. “Any passport holder having the same name (word) either as surname or given name will not be accepted by UAE immigration and the traveler will be treated as INAD (Inadmissible),” it said.
The airline said that if a person has the same first or last name on the passport, such a passenger will not be issued a visa and if the visa was issued earlier, it will be invalidated by the immigration department.
This new rule applies only to travelers with visit visa, visa on arrival, employment and temporary visas and does not apply to existing UAE Resident Card holders.
IndiGo has also issued a statement saying that passengers traveling on tourist, visit or any other type of visa with the same name on their passport will not be allowed to travel through UAE.
“As per the instructions of the UAE authorities, with effect from 21 November 2022, passengers with the same name on their passports traveling on tourist, visit or any other type of visa will not be permitted to/from the UAE,” it said.
The budget airline, however, said that passengers with one name on passport and holding residence permit or employment visa will be allowed to travel provided the same name is updated in the “First Name” and “Surname” columns.
