ICA approval: Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi approaches UAE's foreign ministry

KARACHI: The embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi has approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, UAE to the ICA approval issue being faced by the Pakistanis in travelling to the UAE. According to details, the Pakistan embassy in Abu Dhabi in its letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, UAE informed that despite the announcement of the UAE government of removing the condition of ICA approval for travellers, Pakistani nationals are still facing problems in travelling to the UAE.

Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC) through email dated 15 June 2020 informed that the UAE residents wishing to enter the Emirates must apply online for "Resident Entry Permit" on "http://Smartservice.ica.gov.ae".

This was, in simple words, called ICA approval. If permission (ICA approval) was granted, the passenger could travel to the UAE. PCR negative test was mandatory along with ICA approval. There were few passengers who received ICA approval and travelled to Abu Dhabi. However, PIA and passengers had no confusion with ICA approval and everyone was very clear about the system for those who could and could not travel to Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, ADAC informed PIA through email dated 10 August 2020 that passengers with valid residency visa/card intending to travel to Abu Dhabi do not need ICA approval. Only a negative PCR test was required. Following dissemination of this information, PIA flights got fully booked. Even PIA upgraded aircraft B-777 to accommodate high demand.

However around 100 passenger were offloaded on the very first flight i.e. PK217 on August 12 from Peshawar to Abu Dhabi operating as per this new system. Despite having a negative PCR test, UAE API did not allow passengers to board the flight.

On August 13, 2020, PK263 (Lahore to Abu Dhabi), around 83 passengers were again offloaded at Lahore due to the same reason.

To discuss this untoward situation, the PIA had a meeting with the API team and also with ADAC, who explained that ICA approval was no more required, however, only certain professions were eligible to enter UAE hence most of the passengers on above said flights were not cleared to board by API response.

PIA was told to check the eligibility of passengers to travel and inform ticketing agents and also individual passengers to upload information on uaeentry.ica.gov.ae. If the website gives a message that a passenger can travel, issue the ticket or else refuse. On 13 August 2020, PIA floated the latest information that the ICA approval was not required, however, travel agents must check eligibility for passengers before issuance of the ticket. Only eligible passengers must be issued tickets to avoid chaos at airports.

However, on August 15, 2020, PIA flight PK 261 (Islamabad to Abu Dhabi), around 40 passengers were not cleared by Abu Dhabi immigration, albeit these passengers were eligible to travel as per information given by uaeentry.ica.gov.ae.

Keeping the problems being faced by the Pakistani passengers in travelling to UAE in absence of clear guidelines, the embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi has approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, UAE to the ICA approval issue being faced by the Pakistanis in travelling to the UAE and requested to issue clear instructions on ICA approval in order to facilitate Pakistani passengers intending to travel to the UAE.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020