As restrictions are slowly being lifted around Dubai, it was announced last week tourists will be able to enter the country from July 7. With that, UAE residents and citizens are now able to travel.
However, it has now been clarified that Dubai residents need to apply for permission from the government before booking any flights.
In order to get permission, those intending to travel need to apply via the Dubai GDRFA immigration service.
If all goes to plan and permission is given to travellers, a reference number will be provided which is needed for booking flights out of the UAE.
Dubai-based airline Emirates has also clarified what is required for passengers, reiterating the point that they are not involved with the application process for those wishing to travel out of the country.
“All Dubai residents must do this, whether you are returning after the travel restrictions or you want to fly out of Dubai and return,” Emirates said in a statement. said.
“If your application is approved, you will receive an email with a GDRFA reference number. If the application can’t be processed, you can try again later.
“Once you have your approval, you can book your ticket and you will be asked to enter your GDRFA reference number.”
The whole process of apply permission, according to a senior Emirates Airline official, is to give “assurance that [Dubai residents] can come back before they fly out”.
As part of the process to apply to travel residents and citizens must fill out a ‘Health Declaration Form’ that confirms that you are clear from COVID-19 symptoms and travellers must download the Al Hosn app. Similarly, at any point airlines with flights running can refuse to board passengers if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
As of yesterday, Emirates Airline announced it’s relaunching flights to seven cities, adding to their ever-growing destination pool post-pandemic. This latest addition of seven destinations brings the airline’s total 48, which now includes cities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
