In light of the latest travel advisories for Indian visitors to the UAE, several Indian airlines have released a series of guidelines for their passengers. The advisory, distributed by airlines to travel agents in both India and the UAE, emphasizes that "passengers traveling from Indian cities to the UAE should have all necessary documents." An Air India Express representative informed Khaleej Times that they have issued an advisory recommending passengers to carry valid passports, return tickets, accommodation details, and proof of financial means. The advisory specifies that travelers from India must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. It further states that visitors must possess a confirmed return ticket, evidence of a confirmed hotel booking, and carry or have access to Dh3,000 (approximately Rs68,000) for a one-month visa, or Dh5,000 for a longer stay, along with additional documentation for relatives or friends residing in the UAE.
Travel agents in India and Dubai have reported receiving advisories from numerous airlines operating between the two countries. Taha Siddique, the owner of Siddique Travels, noted, "We have received advisories from SpiceJet, Air India, and others to ensure travelers are fully prepared with necessary documents and funds for a smooth journey." SpiceJet's circular to agents warns passengers that failure to carry required documents could result in deportation. The advisory also clarifies that passengers lacking necessary documents will be denied boarding, with associated costs charged to the ticketing agency. Siddique added, "We ensure our clients have all required documents before booking their tickets to avoid bearing the costs of their return if denied entry at UAE airports."
Travel agents report that travelers are now well-informed and equipped with all necessary documents, given previous instances of denied boarding or returns from the UAE. Deepak Kaushik, operations manager at ToursOnBoard, stated, "Travelers are now well-prepared in advance to avoid any issues." If a visitor is denied entry, it becomes the airline's responsibility to return them to their home country, prompting rigorous checks before issuing boarding passes. Firoz Maliyakkal, founder and CEO of Tahira Tours and Travels, explained that airline executives check documents at check-in counters, and travelers without necessary documents may be sent back or required to obtain them before boarding.
