International travel can be stressful — especially when passport name formats do not match up with immigration rules. One common issue many travellers face is having only a single name on their passport, which can lead to denied boarding or entry — particularly in countries like the United Arab Emirates.
International travel can be stressful — especially when passport name formats do not match up with immigration rules. One common issue many travellers face is having only a single name on their passport, which can lead to denied boarding or entry — particularly in countries like the United Arab Emirates.
Recently, the UAE has updated its policy regarding single-name passports, bringing some much-needed clarity for all visitors.
What is the issue with having a single name in a passport?
The issue concerns a regulation introduced by the UAE government stating that passports containing only a single name (without both a given name and a surname) are no longer accepted for entry into the UAE. The rule was implemented as single-name passports made it harder to verify identities, leading to complications in the UAE’s immigration and travel
The UAE Travel Update
The UAE Authorities have recently adjusted the immigration policies, bringing news for travellers whose passports list only a single name. The most important changes include:
Ø Single name - travellers holding a single name on their passport will not be accepted for travel into UAE
Ø Family name - if your passport shows only one name, you can still enter the UAE as long as a father’s or family name appears on another passport page.
Ø Tourists and Visit Visa Holders vs. Residents and Officials - the policy applies to tourists and visit visa holders, including those eligible for visa on arrival, but NOT to residents, employment visa holders, or diplomatic passport holders.
Ø Supporting documents, like a name certificate, may be required (and helpful) during immigration clearance.
Impact on travellers and air carriers
The single name restriction impacts travellers by preventing them from entering the UAE if their passport contains only one name, unless they meet specific exemptions (e.g., residence visa, employment visa, or Emirates ID). The rule also does not apply to transit passengers.
For carriers, this creates an operational and compliance burden, as airlines must verify passenger documents before boarding to avoid fines and denied entry cases.
Before traveling to the UAE
Airlines and travellers must ensure that the passport name details comply with the regulations to avoid travel disruptions.
If a passport contains only one name, it is recommended to:
- Check for additional names on other passport pages or another passport.
- Obtain a name certificate - a legal document that adds a missing surname or given name.
- Update passport details - if possible, apply for a reissue with a full name.
- Carry supporting documents - bring affidavits, national ID cards, or other proof of full name.
- Contact UAE Authorities and confirm entry eligibility through a UAE consulate or an airline.
The UAE authorities have also indicated the appropriate course of action for travellers holding a UAE residence permit.
Different National Requirements
Another challenge may arise when the passport data requirements of the departure and arrival countries differ. An example of this could be a flight from the United Kingdom to the UAE.
This is complex, since if a document contains only one given name, the British authorities require 'Unknown' to be entered in the first name or surname field, depending on which piece of information is missing from the document.
Some of the countries require 'FNU' (First Name Unknown) or 'LNU' (Last Name Unknown) value to be entered, which, as we already know, is unacceptable in case of the UAE.
Each case should be analysed individually, but in response to the needs of our clients and the specific requirements of individual countries PnrGo allows you to set the same passport differently for departure and arrival, or, if you wish to use two passports, to assign them separately for departure and arrival.
In case of any doubts regarding specific situations, please reach out directly to the UAE representatives at api@icp.gov.ae and APIUAECallCenter@manafth.ae.
If you any have questions regarding assigning multiple documents to a passenger, please contact us at support@pnrgo.com.
