Pre-travel ICA approval required for non-Dubai residents

Our Correspondent

Passengers arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and holding residence visas issued in emirates other than Dubai must have a pre-travel approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA).

According to Khaleej Times, a Dubai Airports spokesperson said that this is part of the the new travel requirements. Dubai residence visa holders need an approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to return to the UAE.

Several passengers were stranded in the arrivals terminal of DXB on October 7 owing to the new requirement, according to the Consulate of India in Dubai. Around 300 passengers were safely transported to their homes in coordination with Dubai Police and Dubai Road Transport Authority, the GDRFA Dubai said on October 8.

Neeraj Agarwal, Consul for press, information, and culture at the CGI Dubai, said a majority of them were Indians.

The Consulate has updated the revised travel regulations on its Twitter page, and has requested all passengers to take note of the changes to avoid inconvenience at the airports.