The UAE has introduced its new ‘Ounak’ card, offering Emirati citizens a single, convenient gateway to access essential travel, consular and overseas assistance services.
UAE’s New ‘Ounak’ Card Creates Unified Gateway for Citizen Travel Services.
The card simplifies access to important services for UAE citizens, both when preparing for international travel and while they are overseas.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has introduced a new digital initiative designed to make international travel more convenient for Emirati citizens. Known as the Emirati Traveler Services Card, or ‘Ounak’, the service brings together a range of travel-related and consular facilities in one accessible platform.
The new service is intended to simplify the process of obtaining assistance and completing essential travel requirements for UAE nationals while they are outside the country. Instead of having to search for different services or contact separate channels, Emirati travellers can use the Ounak card as a central point through which they can access important support connected with their journeys abroad.
The initiative forms part of efforts to improve the experience of UAE citizens travelling internationally and to provide them with easier access to government assistance when required. By bringing multiple services together, the platform is designed to reduce the complexity that travellers may face before leaving the UAE and during their stay overseas.
For Emirati nationals preparing for an international journey, access to the appropriate travel and consular information can be important. Travel plans can sometimes involve several requirements, including documentation, assistance services and information that may become necessary while abroad. The Ounak card provides a single gateway intended to make these processes more straightforward.
The service is not limited to preparations made before departure. It is also designed to support UAE citizens while they are travelling outside the country. If a traveller needs access to relevant consular assistance or other services during an overseas trip, the card provides a convenient route to the appropriate resources.
One of the key features of the initiative is its centralised approach. Rather than treating different travel and consular services as separate facilities, the Ounak card brings them together through one gateway. This gives Emirati travellers a more organised way to access the services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The introduction of the service reflects the growing role of digital platforms in delivering government services. By making essential assistance available through a digital gateway, the UAE is seeking to make interactions between citizens and government services faster and more convenient, particularly when citizens are travelling internationally.
The service is particularly relevant for travellers who may need help while outside the UAE. Being in another country can make it more difficult to determine where to seek official assistance in an unfamiliar situation. A centralised platform can help simplify that process by providing citizens with a recognised channel for accessing relevant services.
The Ounak card is also intended to improve convenience at the airport stage of a journey. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport announced that the service is now available to travellers at the airport, allowing passengers to access the relevant travel services through a QR code.
The QR-code feature provides a straightforward way for passengers to reach the service using a digital device. Travellers can scan the code and gain access to the available services without having to rely on complicated procedures or search for individual government service channels.
The availability of the service at Zayed International Airport provides Emirati passengers with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the platform before departing the UAE. This can be particularly useful because travellers can identify the service and understand how to access it before they begin their overseas journey.
The airport’s participation also adds another point of access for citizens. Airports are often the final stage of preparation before an international trip, making them a practical location for providing travellers with information about services that may be useful while they are abroad.
The Ounak initiative therefore connects the preparation stage of travel with support that may be required after a citizen leaves the country. Its purpose is to provide a more seamless experience by making travel and consular services available through one centralised system.
For UAE nationals, the service can help reduce the need to navigate multiple sources when looking for official assistance. Having access to a single gateway means travellers can use the platform as a starting point for identifying the services relevant to their circumstances.
The initiative is also aimed at improving accessibility. International travellers may be dealing with different time zones, unfamiliar systems and local procedures in the countries they visit. Providing a dedicated digital route to UAE government services can make it easier for citizens to find appropriate support when they need it.
The service may be particularly useful during unexpected situations abroad. Travellers can encounter circumstances in which they require consular information or government assistance, and knowing where to turn can be an important part of travelling with confidence. The Ounak card provides a centralised mechanism through which Emirati citizens can seek access to relevant services.
At the same time, the platform is designed to serve routine travel needs rather than only emergency situations. By bringing different services together, it gives travellers a convenient resource that can be used as part of their normal travel preparations and while they are overseas.
The move also reflects the UAE’s broader focus on providing government services through digital and integrated platforms. Combining services in one gateway can make it easier for citizens to interact with government departments and reduce unnecessary steps when completing travel-related requirements.
For citizens, the main advantage is convenience. Instead of remembering multiple service channels, travellers can use the Ounak card as a central access point. The approach is intended to make the overall process clearer and more user-friendly.
The card can also provide greater continuity for citizens throughout their journey. A traveller may interact with the service before leaving the UAE and continue using the same gateway after arriving in another country. This creates a more consistent experience across different stages of international travel.
The launch of Ounak comes as digital services become increasingly important in the way governments communicate with and assist their citizens. Mobile devices and QR-code technology allow services to be accessed quickly, making them particularly suitable for travellers who may not have immediate access to a physical government office.
The QR code available at Zayed International Airport provides a simple entry point into the service. Rather than requiring travellers to locate a separate physical counter for every type of assistance, the digital code gives them a direct route to the relevant online gateway.
For passengers travelling abroad, this can provide additional reassurance. Having a recognised source of official travel and consular information available from the beginning of a journey can help citizens feel better prepared for situations that may arise outside the UAE.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ initiative also highlights the importance of making consular support easily accessible to nationals overseas. Consular services can play an important role in helping citizens navigate circumstances that require official assistance while they are outside their home country.
By consolidating these services under the Ounak initiative, MoFA is creating a more unified approach to supporting Emirati travellers. The objective is to make the process of accessing government assistance more direct, particularly when citizens are away from the UAE.
The service is therefore not simply another digital facility for travellers. It represents an effort to connect several aspects of the overseas travel experience through one platform. From preparation before departure to accessing assistance after reaching another country, the initiative is intended to provide Emiratis with a consistent digital gateway.
The availability of Ounak at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport further strengthens that approach. Travellers can access information about the service before boarding their flights, while the QR-code system provides a convenient way to connect to the platform.
The initiative may also help travellers become more familiar with official support channels before an issue arises. Knowing how to access assistance in advance can be useful because unexpected situations may be more difficult to manage when a person is already abroad.
For UAE nationals, the service ultimately aims to make international travel more organised and less complicated from a government-services perspective. By placing key travel and consular facilities behind a single access point, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking to improve the overall experience for citizens travelling overseas.
The introduction of the Emirati Traveler Services Card also demonstrates how technology can be used to bring government support closer to citizens. A digital service accessible through a QR code can be used without the need for travellers to carry additional paperwork or visit multiple offices simply to locate the appropriate information.
As international travel continues to be an important part of life for UAE citizens, having convenient access to official assistance can provide an added layer of support. The Ounak card is designed to address that need by connecting travellers with essential services through a centralised digital gateway.
For Emiratis departing from Abu Dhabi, the service is now accessible through Zayed International Airport’s QR-code facility. Travellers can use this digital entry point to connect with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel and consular services and obtain the assistance or information relevant to their journey.
Overall, the launch of Ounak represents another step towards making government services more integrated and accessible for UAE citizens. By combining important travel and consular facilities in one platform, the initiative seeks to remove unnecessary complexity and provide a more convenient way for Emiratis to manage travel-related needs.
Whether citizens are preparing for a trip, already travelling overseas or looking for official assistance while outside the UAE, the new card is intended to provide a single and easily accessible route to the services they may require.
With its availability through a QR code at Zayed International Airport, Emirati travellers can access the service at a key point in their journey. The initiative is therefore designed to provide support that follows citizens from the preparation stage through their time abroad, helping make access to UAE government services simpler, faster and more convenient.
Key MoFA services in one place
Ounak brings key MoFA support services together for Emirati travellers
The UAE’s Ounak card gives citizens travelling outside the country a convenient way to reach several important services provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). By bringing these facilities together through a single digital gateway, the initiative is intended to make it easier for Emiratis to obtain official assistance, particularly when they are overseas and may need urgent support.
One of the services available through Ounak is Twajudi, a registration facility designed specifically for UAE nationals travelling abroad. By registering their travel details, citizens can help the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintain awareness of their presence outside the UAE and establish a means of contacting or assisting them if an unexpected situation occurs.
Twajudi can become particularly valuable when travellers encounter emergencies in another country. Overseas incidents can range from natural disasters and major accidents to other circumstances that may affect the safety or ability of citizens to travel normally. Having travellers registered with the ministry can help facilitate communication and the delivery of consular assistance when necessary.
The registration system is designed to provide Emirati citizens with access to official support throughout their time abroad. It can also allow the relevant authorities to provide important information and updates when circumstances in a particular destination change or when an emergency affects travellers in that location.
For citizens, the main advantage is having an established connection with the UAE’s consular support network before an emergency occurs. Instead of trying to determine which government service to contact after a crisis begins, travellers can use the available channels associated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ounak card also provides access to services intended for situations in which an Emirati national needs to return to the UAE but does not have the necessary travel document. The Return Document service is designed to help eligible citizens obtain the required documentation to facilitate their journey back to the country.
According to the service conditions, qualifying UAE nationals may receive the return document within approximately 30 minutes once the relevant requirements have been satisfied and all necessary paperwork has been submitted. The stated processing time is therefore dependent on the applicant meeting the eligibility criteria and providing the required documents.
This facility can be particularly useful for citizens who find themselves abroad without the appropriate travel documentation and need to make arrangements to return home. Rather than having to navigate several separate procedures, eligible travellers can use the service as part of the MoFA facilities accessible through Ounak.
The inclusion of the Return Document service means that the Ounak card is not limited to routine travel information. It also provides access to practical assistance that may become important when a traveller encounters documentation-related difficulties overseas.
Another key facility connected with Ounak is the emergency hotline available to UAE nationals outside the country. The hotline provides travellers with a direct means of contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when they require urgent assistance or consular support while abroad.
Having a dedicated emergency communication channel can be especially important when citizens are dealing with circumstances that require immediate attention. Travellers may encounter situations where they need guidance from UAE authorities, and a direct hotline provides a recognised route for seeking help.
The service is intended to support Emiratis during emergencies rather than requiring them to search for different contact points depending on the nature of the problem. Through the Ounak platform, travellers can access information about the appropriate MoFA support channel and seek assistance when required.
The combination of Twajudi, Return Document services and the emergency hotline gives the Ounak card a broad role in supporting UAE nationals during international travel. Each service addresses a different potential need, ranging from registering a trip before or during overseas travel to obtaining documentation or contacting officials during an emergency.
Twajudi focuses on keeping the ministry informed about citizens travelling overseas and creating an avenue for communication during difficult circumstances. The Return Document facility addresses situations involving travel documentation, while the emergency hotline provides direct communication with MoFA when immediate consular assistance is needed.
Bringing these services together means Emirati travellers can access several forms of government support from one central point. This can make the process easier to understand and reduce the need to remember multiple service channels while travelling.
The digital nature of Ounak is also intended to make these facilities more accessible. Travellers can use the service through the available digital access points rather than depending entirely on physical visits to government offices. This can be particularly useful for citizens who are already overseas and may find it difficult to visit a UAE diplomatic mission immediately.
For a traveller dealing with an emergency, speed and clarity can be particularly important. Having access to a recognised government service gateway can help reduce uncertainty about where to seek assistance. The Ounak card is intended to provide that centralised route.
The Twajudi registration service plays an important role in this overall system because it encourages citizens to provide relevant travel information to the ministry. Registration can help establish a connection between the traveller and the UAE’s consular network, which may become important if a crisis affects the destination.
Natural disasters, security incidents and other major emergencies can develop unexpectedly. In such circumstances, authorities may need to communicate with affected citizens, provide updates or organise appropriate consular assistance. Travel registration can support those efforts by giving the ministry relevant information about citizens who are abroad.
For Emiratis, the service can therefore be viewed as a preventive measure as well as a support facility. Registering through Twajudi before problems arise can help ensure that travellers are connected to the appropriate official channels should an emergency occur.
The Return Document service addresses a different type of problem. Losing or being unable to use the necessary travel documentation can create significant difficulties for anyone abroad. For eligible UAE nationals, the service provides a route to obtaining the documentation required for their return journey.
The stated 30-minute processing period can provide considerable convenience for qualifying applicants, although the service remains subject to the relevant requirements. Applicants must satisfy the applicable conditions and provide the necessary supporting documents before the document can be issued.
This means travellers should ensure that they understand the requirements and have the relevant information available when applying. The speed of the service depends on the application being complete and meeting the conditions established for the facility.
Meanwhile, the emergency hotline serves as another important layer of assistance. UAE nationals who encounter serious difficulties abroad can use the hotline to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly. This provides an official communication channel for citizens who require consular guidance or assistance.
The hotline can be particularly valuable when travellers are facing circumstances that cannot be resolved through ordinary travel arrangements. Having access to a direct government contact can help citizens obtain information about the appropriate steps to take and the assistance that may be available.
The integration of these services into Ounak reflects a wider effort to make government support more accessible to UAE citizens travelling internationally. Instead of treating each facility as an isolated service, the initiative places multiple forms of assistance within one broader digital framework.
For Emirati travellers, this can make the preparation and management of overseas trips more straightforward. Before leaving the country, citizens can make use of relevant registration services. During their journey, they can access official information and assistance if circumstances change. If documentation problems arise, eligible travellers can use the Return Document facility, while those facing emergencies can contact the dedicated hotline.
The overall objective is to ensure that UAE nationals have access to reliable government support throughout their time outside the country. International travel can involve situations that are difficult to anticipate, and access to consular assistance can become especially important when normal arrangements are disrupted.
Ounak therefore functions as a central access point for several services that can help travellers manage those situations. By connecting citizens with MoFA facilities through one gateway, the initiative aims to make official support easier to locate and use.
The availability of emergency assistance is also significant because citizens may be unfamiliar with the procedures and institutions of the country they are visiting. In a difficult situation, knowing that they can turn to UAE authorities for appropriate consular support can provide an additional level of reassurance.
At the same time, the system encourages travellers to take steps before an emergency occurs. Registering through Twajudi, for example, allows citizens to establish their travel details with the ministry rather than waiting until they encounter a problem.
The different services accessible through Ounak can therefore be seen as complementary. Travel registration helps establish contact, the Return Document service addresses certain documentation needs, and the emergency hotline provides a direct communication route when urgent assistance is required.
For UAE nationals travelling overseas, having these facilities available through a single platform can make it easier to identify the appropriate form of support. It also reduces the need to search through different government channels when assistance is needed.
The initiative is particularly relevant to the practical realities of international travel, where circumstances can change quickly. A trip that begins without complications can be affected by an unexpected emergency, loss of documents or a major incident in the destination country.
By providing access to several MoFA services in one place, Ounak is designed to help citizens respond to such situations more efficiently. The system provides a connection between Emirati travellers and the UAE’s official consular support network while they are outside the country.
Ultimately, the Ounak card brings together a number of services that are intended to protect and assist UAE nationals during overseas travel. Its facilities include Twajudi registration, access to the Return Document service for eligible citizens and a dedicated emergency hotline through which travellers can seek assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For citizens, the key benefit is having a centralised way to reach these services rather than dealing with them as completely separate processes. Whether the need involves registering an overseas trip, obtaining documentation for a return journey or contacting officials during an emergency, Ounak provides a single gateway to the relevant MoFA support.
The initiative therefore adds another layer of convenience and preparedness for Emiratis travelling abroad. By making important consular services easier to access, it is intended to ensure that citizens remain connected with official UAE support throughout their international journeys.
Check travel requirements before flying
Ounak helps travellers check destination-specific requirements before departure
Another useful facility available through the Ounak card is the Travel Requirements by Destination service. The feature is designed to give Emirati citizens access to travel information relevant to the country they intend to visit, allowing them to check applicable entry rules and other requirements before beginning their journey.
International travel requirements can differ considerably from one destination to another. Depending on the country, travellers may need to meet specific entry conditions, provide particular documents or comply with regulations that apply to foreign visitors. Requirements can also change over time, making it important for passengers to verify the latest information before travelling.
The destination-based service is intended to make that process easier for UAE nationals. Instead of relying on general travel information or searching through multiple sources, Emirati travellers can use the Ounak platform to check information connected with their intended destination.
This can help travellers understand what they may need to arrange before leaving the UAE. Checking the requirements in advance gives passengers an opportunity to prepare the appropriate documentation and address any conditions that must be satisfied before entering another country.
For example, a traveller may need to confirm whether particular documents are required for admission, whether additional conditions apply to visitors or whether there are destination-specific regulations that should be understood before departure. Having access to such information ahead of time can help reduce uncertainty during the travel preparation process.
The service is therefore intended to encourage better preparation among Emirati citizens travelling internationally. Rather than discovering an important requirement after arriving at an airport or reaching their destination, travellers can review the available information beforehand and make the necessary arrangements.
This can be particularly useful because international travel involves more than simply booking a flight and arranging accommodation. Entry regulations, documentation requirements and other conditions can influence whether a passenger is able to complete a journey without complications.
By making destination-specific information available through the Ounak gateway, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides travellers with a convenient starting point for checking the rules associated with their planned trip.
The feature also supports the broader purpose of Ounak, which is to bring several travel and consular facilities together in one place. Instead of accessing different services through separate channels, UAE nationals can use the card as a central gateway to a range of facilities connected with overseas travel.
For travellers, this integrated approach can make trip planning more straightforward. Information that may be needed before departure can be accessed alongside other services intended to assist Emiratis while they are abroad.
The destination requirements facility is particularly relevant because travel rules are not necessarily identical across countries. A document or condition that is sufficient for one destination may not necessarily meet the requirements of another. Consequently, checking information specific to the country being visited can help passengers prepare according to the rules applicable to that destination.
The service can also help travellers avoid relying on outdated information. International entry regulations can be subject to change, and requirements that applied at an earlier stage may no longer be current when a person is preparing to travel.
Having access to updated destination information through an official government platform can therefore provide travellers with a more reliable reference point when organising their trips.
For Emirati citizens, this means the preparation process can begin with checking the destination-specific information available through Ounak. Once the relevant requirements have been reviewed, travellers can identify the documents and other preparations they need to complete before departure.
This approach may also help passengers identify potential issues at an earlier stage. If additional documentation or compliance with a particular entry condition is required, travellers have more time to address the matter before their scheduled journey.
The service is consequently not only about providing information. It can also help travellers plan their journeys more effectively by giving them an opportunity to understand the requirements that may affect their entry into another country.
The feature forms part of a broader effort to make travel-related government services easier for UAE nationals to access. With several facilities connected through the Ounak card, citizens can use one digital gateway for different stages of their international travel experience.
Before departure, the destination information service can help travellers understand entry conditions. During their trip, other Ounak-linked services can provide access to consular assistance and other forms of support if required.
This creates a more connected experience for citizens. Instead of treating travel preparation, destination information and consular assistance as completely separate processes, the Ounak initiative brings them together under a single platform.
The convenience of having multiple services available through one gateway can be especially valuable for frequent travellers. Citizens who regularly travel for business, tourism, education or other purposes may need to check destination requirements more than once during the year. A centralised service provides them with a consistent place to begin their preparations.
It can also benefit travellers who are visiting a country for the first time. People unfamiliar with a destination may not know which requirements apply to them or where to find official information. A dedicated destination-based feature can make it easier for them to identify the relevant travel information before departure.
The service also reflects the increasing importance of digital access to government facilities. Travellers increasingly use smartphones and other digital devices to organise different aspects of their journeys. Providing official travel information through an integrated digital platform allows citizens to access relevant services without depending entirely on physical offices.
For a traveller preparing to leave the UAE, the process can therefore be more convenient. Instead of spending significant time searching for destination-specific rules across different sources, the passenger can use the Ounak service to review the information associated with the intended country.
The information can then be used as part of the traveller’s preparation checklist. Passengers can review the applicable requirements, identify the documents they may need and take appropriate steps before reaching the airport.
Advance preparation can be particularly important when entry conditions involve documents that may take time to obtain or arrange. Checking requirements early gives travellers a better opportunity to address such matters rather than dealing with them immediately before departure.
The service can also help promote greater awareness of travel regulations among UAE nationals. Understanding the rules of a destination is an important part of responsible international travel, particularly when those rules differ from the procedures familiar to travellers in the UAE.
Ounak’s destination information feature provides a convenient way to incorporate that check into the normal travel planning process.
The platform’s value comes not only from the individual services it provides but also from the way those services are connected. A traveller can use the same overall gateway to access information about destination requirements and other MoFA facilities that may become relevant during an overseas journey.
This integrated structure can reduce the need for citizens to navigate several unrelated government channels. Instead, Ounak is designed to provide a central point through which Emirati travellers can find the services and information they need.
The destination-based feature also complements the consular assistance facilities available through the wider Ounak system. Preparing properly before a trip can reduce avoidable difficulties, while access to consular services provides an additional layer of support if an unexpected problem occurs after departure.
In this way, the platform addresses different stages of international travel. It can assist citizens while they are preparing to leave the UAE and continue to provide access to relevant government support while they are abroad.
For travellers, this creates a more seamless experience. The same platform can be used as a preparation tool before departure and as a gateway to assistance during an overseas stay.
The importance of checking destination requirements should not be underestimated. Entry rules can determine what a traveller needs to do before boarding a flight and what documents they must have available when they reach their destination. A failure to understand applicable conditions can lead to unnecessary complications.
By providing destination-specific information in advance, Ounak gives Emirati travellers an opportunity to prepare more carefully and reduce the likelihood of being caught unaware by an applicable requirement.
The service is therefore designed around convenience, preparedness and accessibility. It gives citizens a central location where they can review information relevant to their journey and take action based on the requirements applicable to their destination.
The broader Ounak initiative follows the same principle by bringing together multiple Ministry of Foreign Affairs services under one digital gateway. Instead of requiring citizens to locate individual services independently, the platform seeks to make those facilities easier to find and use.
For UAE nationals, this can make the overall travel process more organised. Before booking or completing a trip, travellers can check destination information, review applicable conditions and make sure they have prepared the necessary documentation.
Once they are abroad, they can continue to use other services available through the platform if they require official assistance.
This combination of preparation and support is one of the main advantages of having multiple MoFA services accessible through a unified system. The platform is designed to accompany citizens across different stages of their journey rather than serving only one specific travel need.
The Travel Requirements by Destination feature therefore represents an important part of the Ounak card’s overall functionality. By providing information tailored to individual destinations, it helps Emirati travellers make more informed preparations before leaving the country.
For passengers, the practical benefit is straightforward: they can check the conditions associated with their intended destination, determine what preparations may be necessary and organise the relevant documents before travelling.
The service can also contribute to a smoother airport experience. Travellers who have reviewed destination requirements in advance are better positioned to ensure that they have completed the necessary preparations before reaching the departure terminal.
Rather than discovering an unexpected requirement at the last stage of the journey, passengers can use the available information to plan ahead.
The inclusion of destination-specific travel information alongside consular and support services demonstrates the broader purpose of Ounak. The card is intended to provide UAE nationals with a centralised digital gateway for important aspects of international travel.
Ultimately, Ounak brings together information and services that can help Emiratis prepare for overseas journeys and access official assistance when needed. The Travel Requirements by Destination feature adds an important planning element by allowing citizens to review the rules and conditions associated with the country they plan to visit.
By checking this information before departure, travellers can identify applicable requirements, organise their documents and make the necessary preparations in advance.
The combination of destination guidance and other MoFA services means UAE nationals have a more convenient way to manage travel-related needs through one platform. Rather than dealing with several separate channels, citizens can use Ounak as a central access point for relevant travel information and consular facilities.
The overall aim is to make international travel more organised and accessible for Emirati citizens. From researching destination requirements before departure to obtaining assistance during an overseas trip, the Ounak card provides a unified route to a range of Ministry of Foreign Affairs services.
For UAE travellers, the result is a more streamlined approach to preparing for international journeys, with key information and government support available through a single digital gateway.
