UAE Travel: Residents Must Need GDRFA and ICA Approval To Return, Full Guidelines Here

As you may already know that starting from 5th August 2021, passengers with valid UAE resident visas can travel from India to and through UAE.

Air India Express on Friday announced the revised guideline for UAE passengers and said that all passengers to UAE will require GDFRA or ICA approval prior to their travel.

The airline also issued detailed guidelines for passengers that said all UAE travelers must need to fulfill the following requirements.

For Passengers Transiting UAE
For Passengers Arriving Into UAE
- Permitted Categories
  - Vaccinated UAE Residents
  - Non Vaccinated Passengers
Pre Entry Approvals
- Dubai Visa holders arriving into UAE
- Other Emirates Visa Holders into UAE
Travel Requirements

For Passengers Transiting UAE

Permission/approval from country of the destination.
Negative RT-PCR test report having QR code, from authorized laboratories with 72 hours validity from the time of sample collection.

For Passengers Arriving Into UAE

Permitted Categories

Vaccinated UAE Residents

Passengers having valid UAE resident visa , fully vaccinated in UAE ,completed fourteen (14) days after 2nd dose , holding official vaccination certificate issued and approved by relevant authorities in UAE are permitted to return to UAE.
The vaccination certificate needs to be submitted through following portals:
- For Dubai Visa Holders
- For other UAE VISA holders

Non Vaccinated Passengers

Citizens of the United Arab Emirates and their first degree relatives.
Holder of Golden and Silver Visa
Indian Diplomats, including the administrative workers of Indian missions in UAE.
Heath care workers – Doctors, Nurses and Medical Technicians working in UAE.
Educational Sector Workers – Professors, Teachers and students studying in UAE
UAE Government employees.
Humanitarian cases with valid UAE resident permits, for family reunion.
Passengers who want to undergo medical treatment in UAE .
Exhibitors and participants who are under sponsorship of EXPO 2020

Pre Entry Approvals

Dubai Visa holders arriving into UAE

The passenger shall submit a request through the website of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, for the necessary approval;

Passengers must register through below link: https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/Smart_OTCServicesPortal/ReturnPermitService.aspx

Kindly note that permission granted by the GDRFA before 5th August 2021 is not acceptable. GDRFA permission issued on 5th August 2021 onwards would be accepted for travel.

Other Emirates Visa Holders into UAE

The passenger shall submit a request through the website of the Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship (ICA) for the necessary approval;

Passengers must register through below link; https://smartservices.ica.gov.ae/echannels/web/client/guest/index.html#/registerArrivals

Travel Requirements

Negative RT-PCR test report having QR code, from authorized laboratories with 48 hours validity from the time of sample collection
Rapid PCR test must be done within four hours of departure of the flight at the airport.
Undergo a PCR test at the arriving airport.
UAE nationals are exempted from above requirements.
Passengers may be advised to report to the Airport 06 hours prior to departure.

Additional requirements for passengers arriving into Abu Dhabi and Ras al-Khaimah Airports