UAE flights: Indian consulate issues revised guidelines for passengers with single name in passport

The guidelines for Indian passengers with a single name on their passports have been updated. According to a social media post by the Consulate General of India, Dubai (CGI), on Thursday, passengers will be allowed to board the flight provided they fulfil certain following conditions.

The rules apply to passengers with visit visas/those eligible for visa on arrival/employment and temporary visas. They are not applicable to existing UAE residents.

The CGI shared a circular issued by Air India and Air India Express to travel agents. According to the National Advance Information Centre – UAE, the amended guidelines are:

>> If the visa is issued with more than one name and the passenger has the father's or family name mentioned in the second page, they will be allowed to continue the journey.

>> For passengers who are eligible for visa on arrival, the traveler must have father's or the family name mentioned in the second page.

Fardan Haneef, a spokesperson of Deira Travels, confirmed that they have received the updated rules and guidelines from Air India and Air India Express. “I am sure it will be a relief for many,” he said. “We had received calls from many passengers who had faced difficulties because of the rule change.”

Rule change circular

It was on Monday that Air India sent out a notice regarding the issue of single names in passports. The document sais that “any passport holder with a single name (word) either in surname or given name will not be accepted by UAE immigration and the passenger will be considered as INAD" — a term which stands for inadmissible passenger.

• UAE-India flights: Airline announces new rule for passengers