UAE: Effective from Monday November 21, the guests travelling to and from the UAE in Air India Express should make sure that their passports have their primary (first name) and secondary (surname) names. “However, the rule will be applicable only to those travelling on a tourist or visiting visa,” says a travel agent from Mangaluru. The persons with residence or employment visas are excluded from the rule.
The Air India Express in a notice circulated to travel agents has made this important announcement. The notice says that the UAE immigration will not accept any passport holder with a single name either surname or given name. Also he/she will be considered as inadmissible passenger (INAD). This means that a passenger with such a passport will not be issued a visa. Further, even if it was issued earlier, he will be still considered as INAD by immigration.
Speaking to News Karnataka, Vathika Pai, Head of Operations, Nirmala Travels said, “Currently as a travel agent we have not received any case with such issue. The ones without surnames will have to get their passports rectified prior to travel.”
