OK to Board- Seamless Travel Begins

 

Is Dubai or UAE’s any other city in your bucket list? Then you need to get familiarized with OK to Board. This is an add-on to the approved passport and visa that will be required for entering the country. OK to Board is also known as visa verification.

Understanding OK to Board

Simply put, this is a visa validation process and updating visa message in booking flights. This indicates that one’s paper-based visa is examined and confirmed, and the check-in staff of the airline can offer them a boarding pass, enabling them in boarding the flight. OK to Board Dubai indicates that one’s visa is verified and they are ready to board the flight.

The Necessity of OK to Board

When one applies for Dubai visa, they will know about the e-visa process and perks. But this is not adequate for the UAE in guaranteeing authentication and security of a visa holder with approved visa concerning a few countries citizens. The approval for OK to Board has been made mandatory for Indian citizens and citizens of few more South Asian countries chiefly to stop entry into UAE that is illegitimate. One’s visa and remaining travel documents are double checked to ensure authenticity by the airline. This will guarantee that one is not deported back by UAE immigration to their country.

Significance of OK to Board

To curtail the issues related to the number of fake visas ascending at a mushrooming rate, airlines began re-checking the visa of the concerned traveler and return flight ticket prior to departure to such destinations.

How OK to Board Works?

Often times, the air ticket and visa are delivered at a local airline office after the initial visa application, the place where approval to board gets offered against the PNR of the passenger after second authentication of the information of the passenger. This is usually offered prior to 3 days post the flying date and also updated on the passenger’s data profile.

 

Citizens who Need OK to Board

·         Indians

·         Pakistanis

·         Bangladeshis

·         Sri Lankans

This however is not a mandate for every traveler in every airline. OK to Board to Dubai from India in case of Indians having an ECNR or Non-ECR passport do not need OTB message for flying to the UAE.

Airlines that Need OK to Board

For free

·         Saudi Airlines

·         Etihad Airways

·         Emirates Airlines

·         Fly Dubai

·         Jet Airways

 

At a Nominal Fee

·         Air India

·         Indigo

·         SpiceJet

 

Visas that Need OK to Board

OK to Board is a mandate for these visa categories to the UAE & Gulf countries,

·         New residency permit

·         Employment/express visa

·         Short work visa

·         Visitor visa

·         Tourist visa

 

OTB Dubai Requirements

·         The passenger should have a Dubai visa that is valid and corresponds to their visit’s purpose. The information must match with the information offered during the verification procedure of OTB.

·         Having a confirmed Dubai flight ticket is a mandate.

·         The selected airline should update the passenger’s OTB status. For this the passenger requires to offer a copy of their valid visa for verification.

·         The passenger should ensure to provide all vital documents at the processing of the visa application. This may comprise copies of his/her passport, photos (passport size), and additional documents if any precise to the visa type the passenger has applied for.

·         The passenger’s passport should hold validity for 6 months minimum prior to the Dubai travel date.

 

2 Ways to Get OTB

One can get their OTB both online and offline.

Offline

For applying offline, the verification will happen at the airport. The passenger needs to provide all essential documents for verification at the airport, and post completion of the process, the OTB will be sanctioned.

 

Online

One need not require thinking about obtaining OTB clearance when applying for Dubai visa online. One’s sponsor or agency will take care of this.

·         The passenger will require making a copy of their visa and provide the same to their airline.

·         The airline will recheck their visa

·         The ticket will get accepted as well as reviewed for passenger’s details

·         Post approval, their flight PNR gets designated as OK to Board

 

Countries that Need OTB

The OTB is a mandate for people of specific countries. Sans an OTB confirmation, the citizens of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India will be barred to board a Dubai flight. Nonetheless, should one be a citizen of any of these nations, OK to Board is not a mandate in few circumstances. Any passport holder who fly to Dubai and have a residence permit, residence visa, have ECNR, or qualified for a visa on arrival, do not require OK to Board Dubai.

 

OTB Status Check

One no longer requires being reliant on one’s travel agents for checking their status of OK to Board, rather they require coordinating with their respective Airline via which they have booked their flight. The passenger will have to call their airlines 2 days prior to their scheduled flight.

 

Wrapping Up

Knowing the ABC of OK to Board matters as this prevents travel disruptions, guarantees compliance with the visa regulation, and paves the way for hassle-free boarding. Get ready for your trip to Dubai with self-confidence, learning you have the requisite documentation for trouble-free and smooth travel experience.