ABU DHABI 23 June 2017: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAaIC), has launched a new campaign through which it has urged UAE nationals travelling abroad to follow its guidelines and advisories.
The guidelines are being issued within the framework of the ministry’s keenness to guarantee the personal safety of the UAE’s nationals and facilitating their smooth travel and accommodation abroad, said Wam.
Rashid Ali Al Dhaheri, Director of National Affairs Department at the Ministry, has mentioned the importance of these guidelines on the website of the ministry and the page of the National Affairs Department.
The guidelines stressed the importance of registering for the ‘Tawajudi’ service on the website of the ministry www.mofa.gov.ae or the smart application ‘UAEMOFA’.
- Passengers leaving to or from European Union countries and having more than 10,000 euros in cash must declare it to the customs officer.
- UAE Citizens who want to travel to European countries such as France, Belgium and Switzerland must commit to their laws that ban wearing the niqab, such as in Canton Ticino “Chino” in southeast Switzerland, which includes the cities of Lugano, Locarno, Magadino, Chiasso, Bellinzona, Ascona and Mendrisio, as the fine for violating the law amounts to 1,000 Swiss francs.
- The guidelines urge the citizens to respect the laws of the host country, as well as co-operate with official authorities when asked to reveal important personal information, such as the period of stay, airline ticket details, departure date and cash in hand. The guidelines also emphasised using registered and credible tourism agencies.
- The guidelines highlighted the importance of having an international driver’s licence for those who wanted to drive in foreign territories.
- It urged citizens not to travel to places witnessing security turbulence, and follow the advisory on the destination. They were also urged to ensure children are not left on their own, as well as avoid being alone outside, especially at night.
- The guidelines request citizens to keep their passports safe, not carry them to markets and public spaces, and keep a copy of the passport in an accessible place, such as in the email.
- Those travelling for medical treatment must consult with the health authorities in the country and the UAE’s embassy abroad to know about accredited institutions and those that are relevant to them so that they are not victims of medical neglect or fraud.
UAE Citizens can contact the ministry or the UAE’s embassy in the destination country in case of emergencies by calling 00971- 600599991, or toll-free number 44444-800.
By Angel Chan