All passengers traveling to the UAE from countries in the Asian subcontinent, mainly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, are required to have their airplane tickets updated with an OTB status. This is mainly mandatory for passengers traveling without the original pink-colored visa. Without an OTB, a passenger is most likely not to be allowed to fly.
The OTB, or Ok to Board, denotes a procedure to verify the authenticity of a visa that a passenger possesses. The main purpose of this procedure is to ensure that a passenger is flying with valid travel documents only. Precisely, conducting such a check will prohibit people from traveling to the UAE on fake visas and consequently getting expelled from the country.
It’s a prerequisite mandated by the airlines, not the UAE immigration. It’s applicable to all visitors traveling (on a new work visa or a Dubai tourist visa) to any of the UAE’s emirates, such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Apparently, even if you hold a valid UAE visa, your entry to board the airplane may be denied by your respective airline in the absence of an Ok to Board status.
An OTB is essentially relevant to passengers whose visa is sponsored and issued in the UAE. Once the processing of your UAE visa is successfully completed, your sponsor should send a copy of your approved visa, along with a copy of your airline ticket or PNR number, to your airline service provider, who will double-check the visa and accordingly, attach your airline ticket with the OTB message.
Usually, airlines require a minimum of two days to validate documents and update the OTB. So make sure that all the vital documents are forwarded to your airline at least three days before your travel date. After the verification, the airlines electronically insert the OTB message. Get in touch with your airline directly to know about your OTB status.
As the OK to Board is issued by the airline, the best way to check its status is to call the airlines you are flying with. They will notify you on the phone. If you have applied for the Ok to Board through a travel agency, they will inform you of the same through phone or mail at least 48 hours before your flight.
If your PNR does not reflect Ok to Board status, you may be denied boarding. The airline is entitled to do so.
Which airlines require the OK to Board?
Every airline that flies to the UAE requires an Ok to Board. While some offer it for free, several of them charge a nominal fee. Airlines like Emirates, Jet Airways, Saudi Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Fly Dubai provide Ok to Board without charging any fee. However, when it comes to airlines like SpiceJet, Air India, and IndiGo, you would have to pay a small fee to get the Ok to Board status.
OTB with Only Dubai Visa
The consultants at Only Dubai Visa offer reliable services to update the passengers’ OTB status. All you’ve to do is send us copies of your e-visa, passport, and return airline tickets. We’ll coordinate with the respective airline to input an OTB message on your passenger PNR while informing you least 48 hours prior to your travel. A nominal fee, as pertinent, will be charged to undertake this procedure. Please refer to the chart below to get an idea about the OTB rates charged by different airline carriers.
If you have any doubts about OTB, give us a quick call at +971 42 087 445 or send us an email to inquiry@onlydubaivisa.com.
| Airlines | Rates (AED) |
| Indigo | 40 |
| Jet Airways | 40 |
| Emirates | 40 |
| Air Arabia | 40 |
| Etihad | 40 |
| Fly Dubai | 40 |
| Air India Express | 40 |
| SpiceJet | 40 |
| Air India | 40 |
| Oman Air | 40 |
