New Rule From UAE Creates Panic Among Travellers: Tour & Travel Agencies in Mangalore Flooded With Queries

New Rule From UAE Creates Panic Among Travellers: Tour & Travel Agencies in Mangalore Flooded With Queries

UAE has brought into effect a new rule, according to which, travellers must ensure that their passports have their primary (first name) and secondary (surname) names that has resulted in several passengers returning home from the airport or cancelling their journey. This has created panic among travellers and tour and travel agencies in the city are flooded with queries.

The circular from the Emirates states the rule will be applicable to those travelling on a tourist or visit visa to the UAE. It excludes residence or employment visas. Due to this many passengers were offloaded and now they have to make the necessary changes to the official document to travel again. Those who plan to travel in the coming days are asking for instructions on how to proceed on adding their second name.

It is a lengthy procedure to add a surname to the passport if there is no second name in any of the other documents, such as Aadhaar, pan cards, or any other government documents. An official from Passport Seva Kendra informed that to change the name, one has to reapply with two supporting official documents that have similar names. The change of name has to be published in two leading dailies.