UAE residents arriving in Abu Dhabi do not require ICA approval

Beginning from Tuesday, August 11, all UAE residents arriving in Abu Dhabi no longer need approvals from the country’s Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) to return to the country.

The decision was reportedly conveyed by Abu Dhabi International Airport to airlines on August 11.

Air India Express has now confirmed this via their official social media page too.

Effective 11/08/2020, all passengers with resident permit stamped in their passport do not require ICA/GDRFA approval for their travel from India to Abu Dhabi.

Kindly check https://t.co/ttMNNbid7H for updates at the moment. @IndembAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/1iGweNw48i

— Air India Express (@FlyWithIX) August 11, 2020

A Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson, Abdullah Khan, too confirmed that ICA approvals are not required for passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain airport as well, reported Khaleej Times.

Effective 11/08/2020, all passengers with resident permit stamped in their passport do not require ICA/GDRFA approval for their travel from India to Abu Dhabi.

Kindly check https://t.co/ttMNNbid7H for updates at the moment. @IndembAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/1iGweNw48i

— Air India Express (@FlyWithIX) August 11, 2020

The ICA approval was mandatory for all residents whose visas were issued in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

Residents of Dubai required approvals from the emirate’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

The Covid-19 testing requirements remain in place and all passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi airport, and any other airport in the country, are subjected to a mandatory Covid-19 PCR test.

Read: Prior Covid-19 tests mandatory for all passengers arriving or transiting through UAE airports

From August 1, the UAE also decided to make it mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers at the country’s airports, to undergo Covid-19 tests prior to boarding their flights.

Children under the age of 12 and those with severe and moderate disabilities will be exempted from the mandatory test requirement, the results of which are valid for 96 hours from the time of testing.