In line with reopening everything back in the UAE and things going back to normal just like it was pre-covid, residents of the UAE with a valid visa are now allowed to get back in the country without pre-travel approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) or Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP/ICA) portals.
Back Then
Permits were mandatory for all residents as part of the traveling policies in the UAE when added to the PCR/vaccine step, and the residency papers. It is kind of a hassle for travelers from all nationalities to just be focused on getting all of them to acquire them in time. Especially since most residents make up a majority of the workforce in the UAE. So, the recent changes in the pre-travel approval laws, bring us to what’s happening right now.
Right Now
Just this Friday, UAE officials announced that residents of the country with all types of residencies are allowed to enter the country without a pre-travel approval whether from GDRFA or ICP/ICA.
This comes in light of the new ease on Covid-19 restrictions in order to get life back as it was and make everyone’s lives easier. Especially those who make up the majority of the workforce in Emirates.
According to Khaleej Times, many flag carrier Airlines came out with their announcements about the lift.
“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.
Other airlines issued the same or similar announcements, letting their passengers who are residents of the UAE know what papers they don’t need anymore.
Like Emirates Airlines updating its travel protocols for passengers on Saturday, they said, “All UAE residents can now travel to Dubai without GDRFA or ICA approvals.”
While the Sharjah carrier wrote on its website, “No prior approval is required of residents of Sharjah or any other Emirate.”
Air India also announced on Friday that the pre-travel ICA/ GDRFA approvals are not required for residents any longer.
Up Ahead
All of what’s happening with this pre-travel approval being lifted is just another sign that the UAE is on the right track in getting things back to normal and moving along with everyday life. It is a struggle for many countries since the pandemic equally took a toll on literally everyone and everything. But the strong-willed, forward-thinking leadership of the UAE made getting back to normal a possibility that we live in right now.
