UAE to ease travel restrictions for Pakistanis starting July 7
According to Etihad Airlines' website, the date, however, could be extended depending on the situation
June 15, 2021
- UAE will allow passengers from four countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka from July 7, per the website of Etihad Airways.
- The date, however, could be extended, the website says.
- Exemptions are granted to diplomats, UAE nationals, or a Golden Visa holder.
ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will allow passengers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal to enter the country after July 7, according to a notification published on the website of Etihad Airways. The date, however, could be extended depending on the situation, The News reported Tuesday.
A search on the website for flights to the UAE from Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore shows a pop-up message, informing passengers about the July 7 date. Those who have visited these countries over the past 14 days, too, won't be able to enter the UAE, the Abu Dhabi-based airline said.
"The only exemptions to this are if you are a diplomat or a UAE national or a Golden Visa holder. Your PCR test, in this case, must be taken a maximum of 48 hours before your flight departure," the carrier said.
Flights will continue to show as available for the above destinations in the flight search as exempted passengers are still allowed to fly to the UAE.
As of 5pm on Monday, June 14, Dubai-based Emirates had not updated a date extension. Its website maintained that the carriage of passengers from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will remain suspended “until further notice”.
The UAE had first announced the suspension of entry for travellers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka on national and foreign flights from 11:59pm on May 12. Cargo flights remain unaffected.
Last week, the Emirates had said that the suspension of passenger flights from India to the UAE will continue until July 6. Overall, passenger entry from 10 countries are currently suspended: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, South Africa, Zambia, DR Congo and Uganda. The suspensions have left several expats stranded in their home countries.
