New UAE Rule Will Not Allow Passengers With Only One Name On The Passport To Travel

On November 21, 2022, Indian airlines in addition to Spicejet, Indigo, and Air India Express notified travel agents about the new UAE travel rule which states the modification in the naming guideline. It further states that passengers journeying from and to the UAE must make sure both their first names and surnames are mentioned in their passports.

The new UAE travel rules have revised the naming guideline for entering the Emirates
Travellers, whose passports do not contain both their first and last names will not be permitted to enter the Emirates. However, this new naming guideline under the new UAE travel rules does not exercise people who hold a legitimate residence permission or a work visa, and the same name is revised in both the first and surname columns.

The information clearly stated that the rules will solely apply to on-arrival visas or tourist visits and do not apply to current resident card holders. This signifies that all passengers travelling with passports on employment or residence visas comprising only a single name will not be permitted to travel. Additionally, passengers whose passports are on tourist or visit visas or any other visa comprising only one name will not be permitted to travel. According to a published report on Travelobiz.com, a trade circular issued by Indigo stated- “As per instructions from the UAE Authorities, effective 21st November 2022, passengers with a single name on their passports travelling on tourist, visit or any other type of visa shall not be allowed to travel to/from the UAE.