NEW DELHI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started issuing visas to Indian tourists after reopening its borders for them a month before the mega Expo 2020 in Dubai kicks off. VFS Global said that starting Monday (August 30), it has “resumed UAE tourist visa services for Indians.”
“Travellers will be required to present a valid negative Covid-19 Test certificate issued within 48 hours from the time of collecting the sample and from an approved health service, which use the QR code System, as well as Rapid PCR Test report conducted at the departure airport 6 hours prior to departure, provided with a QR code system. No GDRFA or ICA approval is required for tourists travelling to the UAE,” VFS added.
UAE from Monday (August 30) allowed tourist visa holders who have received required jabs of WHO-approved Covid vaccines from all countries. In India’s case it will mean Covishield for now as WHO is yet to approve Covaxin.
Noel Swain, VFS Global business head (Schengen, e-visa and passport services), said: “The reopening of borders to the UAE is a reassuring move for the travel industry, with the UAE being among the most popular destinations for Indians, especially with the Expo 2020 Dubai around the corner.”
VFS says Customers can apply for their visas on www.emirates.com or at one of its Dubai Visa Processing Centres in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, New Delhi, and Thiruvananthapuram, which are currently operating on limited days of the week.
UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority Tweeted Sunday: “Starting from August 30, application for tourist visas will be open to people from all countries, provided that they are fully vaccinated with one of the WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines.”
“The decision applies to citizens of all countries, including those arriving from previously banned countries. Arriving passengers on tourist visa must take mandatory rapid PCR test at the airport,” UAE’s Supreme Council for National Security announced Sunday, adding, that “previous rules for unvaccinated, including exempted categories, remain in place.”
The UAE has been slowly opening up for Indians after imposing restriction on travellers from here in April-end at the height of the deadly second Covid wave.
In the past few weeks, it has been gradually allowing more categories of visitors from India. However, since entry rules keep changing frequently during Covid, visitors need to check the latest regulations before they plan a trip these days.
The delay in Bharat Biotech getting WHO approval for its Covaxin has meant that scores of Indians are unable to travel abroad despite being fully jabbed.
