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Updated 9 August 2022

UAE residents travelling to the UAE from all countries are no longer subject to approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

Keep reading to know more about the easing of the ICA permit for all residents of the UAE.

ICA approval no longer required

As confirmed by the flag carriers of the UAE, the GDRFA or ICA approval is no longer required by the UAE residents travelling to the UAE. Therefore, UAE residents from all over the globe can now travel to the UAE  without pre-travel or registration on the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP/ICA) portal.

However, emirates like Abu Dhabi still advise residents or tourists to register their vaccination and entry status in the ICA smart services portal.

Some airlines such as Air Arabia have instructed their returning passengers to verify their entry status and carry a photocopy of their passport and resident visa during their flight to the UAE.

Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates has also started taking its step toward normalcy by easing the Covid-19 restrictions and scrapping the PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated arrivals.

For current entry requirements and rules to the UAE, check out our UAE travel restrictions article.

 

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ICA approval for Abu Dhabi

As per Etihad’s travel update page, obtaining approval from the ICA is not required to enter Abu Dhabi.

You must prove that you’re fully vaccinated and hold a negative PCR test result issued within 14 days before you enter public places in Abu Dhabi. You can do this by presenting the health app from your country of residence, or the Al Hosn app. If you’d like to use the Al Hosn app, you must register via the ICA Smart Travel Service before you fly to Abu Dhabi. Otherwise, it’s not mandatory to register.

Thus it is recommended that you register via the ICA Smart Travel Service before you fly to Abu Dhabi.

By registering via the ICA, you’ll be able to use the Al Hosn app when you land in Abu Dhabi. You’ll be required to present the Al Hosn app or the official health app from your country of residence to prove your vaccination status before you enter any public place in Abu Dhabi.

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ICA approval for Sharjah

Obtaining approval from the ICA is not required to enter Sharjah.

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ICA approval for Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah has also removed pre-departure ICA registration mandates. 

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