International travelers entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have to adhere to a new entry rule that comes into effect on November 21. Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have issued statements informing travelers of the change.

"Passengers with a single word in either their surname or given name will be considered INAD (inadmissible) by Emirates immigration," Air India announced.

In the event that a passenger on their passport has a first or last name, a visa will not be issued, and if a visa has already been issued, he will be denied entry by the immigration department.

It applies only to passengers with a visit visa, visa on arrival, employment visa, or temporary visa and not to UAE residents already holding a resident card.

In addition, IndiGo has made a statement saying that passports with a single name will not be allowed to enter or leave the UAE with a tourist, visit, or any other type of visa.

Following instructions from the UAE Authorities, effective 21st November 2022, "passengers with a single name on their passports traveling on a tourist, visit or any other type of visa shall not be allowed to travel to/from the UAE."