On Saturday, the UAE started bringing hundreds of residents stuck outside the country back home.
The Emirates took the unprecedented step of sealing all ports of entry to everyone except UAE nationals on March 19.
The move was to stem the spread of Covid-19, and was replicated by a number of other countries across the globe, but it left many people stranded overseas.
Until now, returning flights were organised in conjunction with authorities and embassies.
But on May 9, UAE residents boarded the first bookable repatriation flight of many more to come.
Obtaining a seat and booking a flights is not as simple as logging on to Emirates or Etihad's website.
So what is the process?
The National explains.
What is the first step in returning to the UAE?
Any resident stranded abroad must apply for permission to return through the Twajudi service for residents, which the UAE rolled out in late March to assist people stuck overseas.
That involves entering their personal details, including their profession, Emirates ID number and location.
Some have spoken about difficulties registering online, having either received repeated error messages or been unable to complete the application.
What happens next?
Passengers should wait for approval.
Once it is granted, residents receive an ICA approval code and letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Anyone travelling back to the UAE must have these documents. Proof of residency is also required. All visas that expired after March 1 were extended until the end of December 2020.
Some who applied received approval fairly early on, but had to wait until flights resumed, which happened on May 9.
Others say they have waited weeks without receiving a reply.
Key workers including teachers, healthcare staff and airline workers were placed on a priority list, as were university students separated from their families.
However, some parents have complained they have not as yet been able to obtain permission for their children to return.
What do they do with the code once they receive it?
Etihad agents require it to be able to book repatriation flights.
Emirates allowed travellers to book their own flights online, but passengers must show a letter of approval at check-in.
Those who do not will be denied boarding.
Where can someone with permission go to book flights to the UAE?
Emirates is operating inbound flights from Germany and the UK, while Etihad offers a schedule from 12 destinations. It is:
Europe
- Amsterdam: Wednesdays and Saturdays from April 29 until May 30.
- Barcelona: Sundays and Thursdays from May 14 until May 31.
- Brussels: Fridays and Sundays throughout May.
- Frankfurt: Sundays throughout May.
- London: Wednesdays and Saturdays until May 30.
- Zurich: Fridays and Sundays until May 31.
North America
- New York: Friday, May 15
- Chicago: Friday, May 15
Asia
- Jakarta: Thursdays until May 28.
- Kuala Lumpur: Saturdays until May 28.
- Manila: Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from May 12 until May 29.
- Melbourne: Fridays and Tuesdays until May 26.
- Seoul: Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays until May 30.
- Singapore: Tuesdays until May 26.
- Tokyo: Mondays and Thursdays from May 18 until May 28
How easy is it to book a flight once you have the ICA code?
It is fairly easy, according to some who have already been through the process.
One UAE resident currently in the Philippines shared his story on the UAE Expats Stuck Abroad Facebook page.
He spoke to a customer service agent at Etihad, who asked if he had obtained pre-approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Once he provided evidence, including the booking code and letter, the agent requested his previous flight details and rebooked him on a flight leaving Manila on May 13.
“He also said that I need all the necessary documents in order to check-in in the said flight,” said the resident from the Philippines.
“I hope this post will have some ray of hope to you guys. Do not lose faith.”
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
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Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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The specs
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
Getting%20there
%3Cp%3EGiven%20its%20remote%20location%2C%20getting%20to%20Borneo%20can%20feel%20daunting%20even%20for%20the%20most%20seasoned%20traveller.%20But%20you%20can%20fly%20directly%20from%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20to%20Sandakan%20and%20Sepilok%20is%20only%20half%20an%20hour%20away%20by%20taxi.%20Sandakan%20has%20plenty%20of%20accommodation%20options%2C%20while%20Sepilok%20has%20a%20few%20nature%20lodges%20close%20to%20the%20main%20attractions.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Company%20Profile
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Quick%20facts
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4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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Dir: Taika Waititi
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Four stars
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
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1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Lady Parma, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m
Winner: Tabernas, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m
Winner: Night Castle, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m
Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Mutawakked, Szczepan Mazur, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m
Winner: Tafaakhor, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m
Winner: Cranesbill, Fabrice Veron, Erwan Charpy.
The biog:
Favourite book: The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma
Pet Peeve: Racism
Proudest moment: Graduating from Sorbonne
What puts her off: Dishonesty in all its forms
Happiest period in her life: The beginning of her 30s
Favourite movie: "I have two. The Pursuit of Happiness and Homeless to Harvard"
Role model: Everyone. A child can be my role model
Slogan: The queen of peace, love and positive energy
