UAE travel: GDRFA, ICA approval scrapped for all residents, airlines confirm

UAE travel: GDRFA, ICA approval scrapped for all residents, airlines confirm

Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air India have updated their travel protocols

Published: Sat 26 Feb 2022, 2:37 PM

All UAE residents can now travel into UAE without a pre-travel or registration on the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) or Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP/ICA) portals, the country’s flag carriers have confirmed.

“UAE residents with a valid visa who have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine will be permitted to fly to the UAE. This applies to guests who have been out of the country for more than six months,” Etihad Airways said on its website.

Emirates Airlines updated its travel protocols for Dubai-bound passengers on Saturday. It said: “All UAE residents can now travel to Dubai without GDRFA or ICA approvals.”

Meanwhile, Air Arabia has instructed its returning passengers to visit uaeentry.ica.gov.ae before booking a flight to verify their entry status and carry a photocopy of passport and resident visa during the flight.

“No prior approval is required if resident of Sharjah or any other Emirate,” the Sharjah carrier explained on its website.

India’s flag carrier Air India also confirmed on Friday that the pre-travel ICA/ GDRFA approvals are not required for UAE-bound residents any longer. Other