New guidelines state that those traveling to the UAE need two names on their passport. Here’s all about the updated policy to enter the gulf nation.
What is the new passport rule in the UAE?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s National Advance Information Centre issued a new guideline for those traveling to the Gulf nation. It is now mandatory for travelers to fill in their full names on their passports. The rule came into effect on Monday. It states passengers with visas on arrival or visiting visas should declare their first and last names on their passports. However, this does not apply to people holding employment visas and UAE resident cards.
As per the new guidelines, passport holders with a single word name in their ‘given name’ or ‘surname’ columns are inadmissible passengers (INAD). Hence, they will not be granted entry into UAE by immigration officers. As per a report by Khaleej Times, many Indian citizens with one name on their passports are barred.
‘The name of the holder has generally represented in two parts; the primary identifier and the secondary identifier. The issuing State or organization shall establish which part of the name is the primary identifier. This may be the family name, the maiden name or the married name, the main name, or the surname. And in some cases, the entire name where holder’s name cannot be divided into two parts. This shall be entered in the field for the primary identifier in the VIZ,” states an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rule.
More on the new guidelines
“As per National Advanced Information Centre – UAE … any passport holder with a single name (word) either in a surname or single name will not be accepted by UAE immigration and the passenger will be considered INAD,” stated an Air India notification. “INAD passengers will not be issued a visa, and in cases where the visa was issued previously, it will be inadmissible by immigration authorities,” it added. (www.curlygirldesign.com)
Similarly, Indigo stated, “As per instructions from the UAE authorities, effective 21st November 2022, passengers with a single name on their passports traveling on tourist, visit or any other type of visa shall not be allowed to travel to/from UAE.” Since the new guidelines are effective, travel agents are requesting travelers to wait for further information.