Brief
UAE Travellers Must Show Passports on UK‑Ireland Ferries
The new rule applies to all passengers on key ferry routes, regardless of age or nationality.
By Felo News Desk · Published
From Monday 28 September, UAE travellers on ferries between the UK and Ireland will need to present a valid passport at check‑in. The change, announced by Irish Ferries and Stena Line, applies to routes such as Dublin‑Holyhead, Rosslare‑Pembroke, Fishguard and others. Driving licences, national identity cards and other photo IDs are no longer accepted. Passport cards are allowed, but bus passes, work IDs and student cards are not. The requirement is intended to meet UK Border Force data‑accuracy and integrity standards. UAE citizens heading to the Republic of Ireland for tourism do not need an Irish visa, but if they continue to Northern Ireland they must obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in addition to a passport. UAE residents holding other passports must check visa rules for the country of issue. The new rule applies to all passengers, regardless of nationality or age.
Key facts
- All passengers on affected UK‑Ireland ferry routes must present a valid passport at check‑in (gulfnews.com)
- Driving licences, national ID cards and other photo IDs are no longer accepted (gulfnews.com)
- Passport cards are accepted by both operators (gulfnews.com)
- UAE citizens travelling to Northern Ireland need a UK ETA plus a passport (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “UAE Travellers Alert: New Passport Rule for UK–Ireland Ferry Routes Takes Effect September 28”
