Indian citizens travelling to and out of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must have a primary and secondary name on their passports to be permitted to travel.
Indians with only their first names on their passports are banned from travelling from the country’s airports after airlines reportedly implemented the new rule.
This rule was implemented on Monday, November 21,
Several Indian airlines, including Spicejet, Air India Express and Indigo, have informed travel agents of the rules.
A circular sent by IndiGo to travel agents on Monday states: “By the instructions of the authorities of the United Arab Emirates, as of November 21, passengers with only one name on their passport travelling on a tourist visa, visit or any other type visa holders will not be permitted to travel to/from the United Arab Emirates.
This new naming policy does not apply to people with a valid residence permit or work visa, and the same name in the first columns and the surname is updated.
During this time, travellers with a name in their passport with a tourist/visit visa or any other visa are not permitted to travel.
The new rule applies to all airlines, including international ones.
Although the new rules take effect immediately, travel agents ask people to wait for more information before applying for a visa or making changes to their existing documents.
“We are still awaiting information from the embassy regarding this issue. So currently, we are advising people to wait 48 hours before applying for a visa,” a representative from Rayna Tours and Travels told Khaleej Times.
“As we are still waiting for details, we are asking people to wait before they make any changes to their documentation,” he added.