Asian – Dispatch

Tourists traveling from Pakistan to the UAE have been advised to purchase return tickets from the same airline to avoid the inconvenience of needing additional approvals.

Recently, airlines and officials from Pakistan have been reminding their nationals to fulfill all visit visa requirements, including proof of accommodation, sufficient funds in cash or credit, and a return ticket. Passengers who fail to meet these criteria are being denied boarding.

SereneAir, a privately owned Pakistani airline, recommended that passengers buy return tickets directly from SereneAir for a smoother process, warning that return tickets from other airlines may require extra approval at check-in. Similarly, another private carrier, Airblue, stated that passengers traveling to the UAE on a tourist visa with a return ticket from a different airline would need Airblue to get approval from UAE authorities before issuing a boarding pass.

Airblue also urged visit visa holders to ensure they have a valid return ticket within the visa duration and a confirmed hotel booking or proof of address, such as an Emirates ID if staying with friends or relatives. During check-in, staff will collect hotel bookings, proof of residence, and copies of return tickets from other airlines.

Flights between the UAE and Pakistan see high occupancy rates due to the large number of tourists and the 1.7 million Pakistani nationals living and working in the UAE. Millions of Pakistanis travel to the UAE each year for tourism or to seek employment.

Fly Jinnah, which operates flights between the UAE and Pakistan, emphasized the need for passengers to have a valid return ticket within their visa period, confirmed accommodation with a valid phone number, and at least $500 (Dh1,835) in cash or a credit card in the traveler’s name to cover their stay. Passengers who do not meet these requirements will be denied boarding.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, also advised Pakistanis visiting the UAE on tourist visas to comply with all visa requirements and refrain from job hunting while on a tourist visa. He emphasized that those seeking employment should travel on an employment visa and noted that there are plenty of tourist attractions to explore, including museums, mosques, and malls.

Source: Pro Pakistani