NRIs in dilemma over returning to Dubai

Many NRIs had travelled because of emergencies or deaths in the family and were eager to return to the UAE

Jeddah: Scores of NRIs have been desperately seeking the information on travelling back to Dubai and other emirates in UAE as many of them were in a dilemma back home in India. Lack of information upon prior approval from UAE, vaccination and disembarkation ports have pushed NRIs into a sea of confusion.

UAE had announced that vaccinated foreigners can return, which many believe that those vaccinated in India can also return. However, it has emerged that those who were vaccinated in the UAE only can return to the country.

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The disembarkation airport also caused confusion among many NRIs as the airport in Dubai was allowing only those holding emirate of Dubai residency visa and passengers who hold residency visas of other than Dubai emirate denying the entry itself in Hyderabad and other airports in India.

Since a greater number of flights are operated to Dubai from India, many NRIs who work in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates opted to book their flights to Dubai. Many NRIs rushed to book first available flights operated by various airlines to Dubai.

The Emirates Airlines, which is owned by the Dubai Government, is not allowing any passengers who hold visas of other emirates other than Dubai. Many passengers, who obtained approval of ICA, which is mandatory to enter the UAE, are denied boarding. The Emirates allows only GDRF, which is followed by the Emirate of Dubai, approved passengers, according to sources.

“Unaware of the development, I have arrived in Sharjah but faced extreme difficulty in entering into the country”, said Ranjitha, a resident of Hyderabad who arrived in Sharjah on the way to Abu Dhabi.

Many NRIs had travelled because of emergencies or deaths in the family and were eager to return to the UAE.

A ban of flights from India to the UAE began on April 25 after a surge in Covid-19 cases in India and the emergence of the fast-spreading Delta variant. Prior to the ban, there were about 300 flights a week operating between India and UAE.

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