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Abu Dhabi residents need ICA approval to land in Sharjah

October 17, 2020

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Air India announced travel update for passengers flying to Sharjah International Airport.

India’s national carrier Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express on Friday announced a travel update for passengers flying to Sharjah International Airport.

From today, residents from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi require green signal from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) before flying to Sharjah.

“With immediate effect, passengers holding residence visas from Al Ain and Abu Dhabi need to have ICA approval before arriving into Sharjah,” Air India said in its latest circular.

Separately, the airline announced opening of bookings for Vande Bharat Mission repatriation flights to India for November and December.

Meanwhile, Sharjah’s national carrier Air Arabia, in its travel guidelines, said: “Passengers with residence visas issued by Abu Dhabi or Al Ain should visit http://uaeentry.ica.gov.ae/ to verify their entry status. Residents of other emirates are not required to arrange prior approval.”

ICA Approval Requirement and Update for UAE Residents: What You Need to Know

Last updated November 2020

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) earlier required UAE residents looking to enter the Emirates to obtain prior approval.

Process ICA Approval for UAE residents

ICA’s approval was necessary for all residents who had acquired their visas in Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain. Meanwhile, residents with Dubai-issued visas were required to obtain the necessary permits from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

New development: ICA approval needed for non-Dubai residents | ICA approval must for non-Dubai residents to return, says Dubai Airports

In a recent statement sent out to the media, Dubai Airports stated that returning passengers holding residence visa issued in other Emirates need approval from the ICA to return to the country. Holders of residence visas issued in Dubai continue to require the approval of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to return to the UAE.

Returning UAE residents no longer need to apply for ICA entry permit

News from etihad Airways

Entry into the UAE

Guests will only be permitted to enter Abu Dhabi if they are a UAE national or resident, or if they are eligible for a visa on arrival. All other visa services are currently suspended.

ICA Approval for abu dhabi no longer required for travel to Abu Dhabi

UAE residents no longer require ICA approval to return to Abu Dhabi. Before booking their flight, residents are encouraged to visit uaeentry.ica.gov.ae. They will be required to submit their passport number and Emirates ID number to receive instant verification of their UAE entry status. This will be in accordance with their UAE residence visa validity. We recommend that guests clear their browser data before visiting the site, and if they are not permitted to travel, keep checking as the system is updated regularly.

We also recommend that guests take a photocopy of their passport and UAE resident visa, as they may be required in Abu Dhabi.

Guests will undergo thermal screening and COVID-19 PCR testing when they land at Abu Dhabi airport, this will take some time to complete. This applies to all guests, excluding children under 12.

On arrival into Abu Dhabi, guests must self-isolate for 14 days. The health authorities will evaluate the most appropriate location for their 14-day quarantine; either at home, in a hotel or at accommodation provided by the authorities.

UAE residents and nationals in Phase III of the vaccine trials or taking part in the National Vaccination Programme are exempt from quarantine on arrival to Abu Dhabi.

Guests will be required to wear a medically approved wristband for the duration of their quarantine. The wristband will be provided by the authorities at Abu Dhabi Airport after they clear immigration. Guests are exempt from having to wear the wristband if they:

Are under the age of 18 or over the age of 69
Suffer from a mental disability
Live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
Suffer from Chronic rheumatological conditions
Hold a diplomatic passport

All guests are required to repeat a COVID-19 PCR test on day 12 of quarantine. Subject to a negative test result, their wristband will be removed on day 14. Children under 12 are exempt from testing unless they show symptoms of Coronavirus.

After landing in Abu Dhabi, guests are only permitted to travel to another UAE emirate by Airport Taxi, Etihad Chauffeur or Etihad Express Coach. If for any reason guests are unable to travel this way, they will be required to follow the Abu Dhabi quarantine guidelines.

Guests will be asked to complete a form agreeing to self-isolate and do everything they can to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the UAE. We recommend that they complete this form in advance of their trip.

For peace of mind and protection, we always recommend that guests purchase travel insurance before their trip.

Mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing

It is mandatory for all guests to have a COVID-19 PCR test before they fly. The test must be carried out between 48, 72 or 96 hours before their flight departure time at any government accredited medical facility. Children under 12 and people with severe and moderate disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing. This may vary by destination – always check in advance.

Timings will differ for flights to China or select destinations. Guests departing Pakistan and India must use an Etihad approved medical facility.

All guests should print their test results as they will be required for validation at check-in. Guests must present a medical certificate or other relevant document, clearly stating the type of test and the result.

Guests may also present their test result via the Al Hosn app if they are flying to Abu Dhabi.

If the test is positive or a guest is unable to present proof of their negative COVID-19 PCR test, they will not be permitted to travel. They can rearrange their flight for free, or cancel and use the value of their flight towards their next trip with Etihad Credit.

COVID-19 PCR test included on flights from Abu Dhabi

We’ve got guests covered at every step of their journey. COVID-19 PCR testing is included for all guests when they fly with Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi between 1 October and 31 December 2020.

We’ve partnered with Life Dx to make it quick and easy for guests to arrange their test across the UAE, giving them one less thing to think about before they travel.

Guests can book their visit at any Life Dx authorised sample collection facility in the UAE, or arrange for their sample to be collected from their home if they are flying in Business or First.

ICA Approval for UAE residents

Everything you need to know about travelling to and from Dubai – UAE ICA Approval latest news

Going on a trip or have visitors coming to the city?

ICA UAE approval for Travelling to Dubai

Dubai opened to international tourism in July and has welcomed back UAE residents and citizens from overseas.

Dubai has announced that all passengers arriving from the UK and countries in the GCC are exempt from having to produce a negative PCR test result prior to arriving in the city and can be tested on arrival.

UAE nationals travelling to Dubai are not required to carry out a PCR test prior to travel and will be tested on arrival in the UAE.

UAE residents are advised to check with their airline if a PCR test is required as some countries of origin require testing to be carried out to departure.

Tourists visiting Dubai are required to show a negative PCR test from the past 96 hours before arriving in the UAE unless travelling from the UK, Germany or a GCC country.

If a negative PCR test is required prior to departure UAE residents and tourists are required to present the certificate in English or Arabic upon arrival in Dubai.

All incoming passengers will be tested on arrival in Dubai and must download the COVID-19 DXB Smart App on their mobile device.

Prior to departure for Dubai, all Dubai residents must apply for approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) by vcompleting the application here.

UAE residents with visas from other emirates must get approval from the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA) by completing the application here.

Leaving Dubai

Depending on your destination, some passengers may require a negative COVID-19 PCR test before leaving the UAE.

All passengers leaving Dubai are advised to check the testing and quarantine requirements at the country of destination prior to booking and to take the appropriate action to meet the criteria.

When booking a ticket to fly, passengers are required to check the entry rules for the country of destination to complete any relevant forms or procedures required for arrival – SkyScanner has recently added a travel guidelines tool for customers when purchasing tickets.

Children under the age of 12 and passengers with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from PCR test requirements.

Heading to the UK? Residents and returning tourists travelling to the country do not require to quarantine after the UK to UAE air travel corridor was announced.

All travellers departing Dubai to the UK are required to fill out the Passenger Locator Form here within 48 hours of arrival in the country and must print or be able to show on their mobile.

ICA Approval UAE For kids During pandemic

If you are a UAE resident then, depending on your UAE visa, you will need to apply to either the GDRFA or ICA for approval to return to the UAE. And, depending on your travel destination, you are likely going to need to take a PCR COVID test and provide a negative certificate, either within a certain timeframe prior to leaving, or on arrival. While children under 12 are exempt from the COVID test requirement in Dubai, every country has different rules and they are constantly being updated, so check on the run-up to your flight and again on the day or day before you’re due to fly – you don’t want to be stuck in an airport with a baby.

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Abu Dhabi residents need ICA approval to land in Sharjah

Air India announced travel update for passengers flying to Sharjah International Airport.