ICA, GDRFA approval ‘not needed’ for UAE residents to return

Two airlines confirmed having received this notification and said they were taking bookings from residency visa holders who haven’t received their approvals.

UAE residents travelling to Abu Dhabi won’t need an approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), the Capital’s airport has told airlines in an e-mail notification.
Two airlines confirmed having received this notification and said they were taking bookings from residency visa holders who haven’t received their approvals.
An Indian diplomat said they were “given to understand” that residents don’t need approval from the ICA or the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) to travel to the UAE.
Dubai residents are required to get a GDRFA approval to travel, while ICA approval is needed for Abu Dhabi and other emirates.
Neeraj Agarwal, consul - press, information and culture at the Consulate General of India in Dubai, said all other requirements like a Covid-negative test remain for travelling to the country.
A Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson, Abdullah Khan, said the airline is taking bookings from Pakistani passengers with valid UAE residence visas. "PIA passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain don’t require ICA approval anymore," Khan said.
Abbas Raza Dar, country manager of Pakistan's second-largest airline Airblue, also confirmed the email notification. "It is a welcome step and will provide huge relief to expats with a valid residence visa. I expect it will boost inbound traffic in the coming days and ease the troubles of passengers traveling to the UAE capital," Dar told Khaleej Times.
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