Ok to board banner

OK to Board

We all know that there are several formalities that are to be taken care of when you are travelling to a different country. However, there is one particular thing that needs to be taken care of travelling to certain countries, called ‘OK to Board’ or OTB in short. These are the guidelines are specified by the airlines that mainly work for the Gulf countries that request OTB.

What is OK to Board?

There is a set of countries that demand OTB. To take you to these countries, the airlines require you to get an OTB before boarding the flight. In order to obtain one, you need to apply to the airlines where you have booked your tickets. The process is carried out once you have acquired your visa and is done by the airlines itself. OTB for Indians who hold an ECR passport is a mandatory procedure.

ECR Passport
Ecr
Non-ECR Passport
Non ecr

Which countries require OK to Board?

There is a list of countries that compulsorily need OTB to allow the Indian passengers to fly to their country. The list of countries is given as follows:

  • United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi
  • Kuwait
  • Bahrain
  • Oman
  • Qatar

Procedure of OK to Board

The procedure for getting an OTB is not exactly complicated. It is done after you have your visa issued and must be done latest 48 hours before your flight. The step by step process is given as follows:

  • Make a copy of your visa and send it to the airlines you have booked your tickets with.
  • The airlines will recheck your visa.
  • The ticket will then be approved and checked for the information provided by the applicant
  • When the approval is done, your flight PNR will be marked as OTB.

List of airlines that require OK to Board

There are certain airlines that require an Okay to Board. The list of airlines that mandate OTB is given as follows:

  1. Air Emirates

    There are certain pointers that you must take into consideration in order to get an Emirates OK to Board. Also, once you have applied for the OTB, you don’t need to call the agency for a follow-up, you will have your visa verified in no time.

  2. Air India Express

    When you are applying for the Air India Express OK to Board, you must ensure to apply at least 72 hours before the departure of your flight. The OTB is linked to your PNR and your ticket will be updated.

  3. Flydubai

    As an Indian traveller, you will have to apply for Flydubai OK to Board if you have booked your flight from Flydubai. Extra charges mostly will be applied for the OTB.

  4. Oman Air

    If your tickets have been booked by Oman Air, make sure that you apply at least 48 prior to your flight for an OK to Board Oman Air.

  5. Air India

    In order to get OK to Board Air India, you need to apply to the air ticketing agency before the date of journey to be allowed to board the flight.

  6. Indigo Airways

    OK to Board Indigo is compulsory for its customers who are travelling with the print out of a labour or work visa.

  7. OK to Board Spicejet

    You need to apply for OK to Board Spicejet at least 48 hours before you board the flight. You will be informed once your ticket is updated.

Which passport holders require OK to Board?

There is a category of passport holders who mandate Okay to Board at the time of travelling to the six countries mentioned in the list previously. The ones who have an ECR passport are the ones who need to obtain an OTB before boarding their flight. An ECR passport is a category of the passport that means Emigration Check Required (ECR).

How to get OK to Board service?

In order to get an OTB, you can apply to the airlines. However, if you had applied for the visa through a visa agency, you can get your Okay to Board from the same agency as well. We at BTW visa services ensure that we provide you with the OTB as soon as you have your visa issued from us. We may mainly provide visas but it is also quite important to us that you make it to the country you have applied visa for.

Documents required for OK to Board

There are documents that are to be provided to the agency at the time of obtaining an Okay to Board. The documents hardly vary country-wise or airline-wise. The list of common documents required in the OK to Board procedure is given as follows:

  • Scanned copy of the first and the last pages on your passport
  • A copy of your online visa
  • Confirmed flight tickets for the complete round trip
  • Copy of your PAN Card

Time taken to get OK to Board confirmation

The time taken for getting the confirmation for an OTB is dependent on certain factors and can vary from airline to airline. Normally, it will take quite some hours or a couple of days and will be provided between 3 to 24 before you board your flight.

OK to Board fees

There are six countries that require Okay to Board and about eight airlines as well that require you to obtain an Okay to Board. therefore, the fees for the same will vary accordingly. Mainly it differs because of the country you are travelling to, but charges also change as per the airlines from where you have obtained your airway ticket.

Check OK to Board status

Generally, you wouldn’t even need to check the status of your Okay to Board the process doesn’t take too long. Although even if you are willing to check the status of the Okay to Board, you can check the status by calling the customer care of the airlines from where you have booked your air tickets.

1. UAE Ok To Board for Indian Passport Holders

When you are considering flying to UAE as an Indian passport holder, you first need to check if you require an Okay to Board. In the case of UAE, Indian passport holders with following criteria require an Okay to Board:

  • For e-visa only
  • For tourist e-visa - Passport with ECR category
  • For employment e-visa - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • Airlines that require OTB for tourist e-visa only - Spicejet, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo, Emirates
  • Airlines that require OTB for all e-visa types - Air Arabia, Oman Arabia, Gulf Arabia
  • Fly the Way Airlines
    • OTB NOT required for flights from Mumbai and Delhi (it is still mandatory for ECR category passport holders).
    • OTB mandatory for flights from South India.

2. Qatar Ok To Board for Indian Passport Holders

There are certain conditions while travelling to Qatar from India. Some pointers are given below which will help you understand whether you need an Okay to Board for your visa or not:

  • For e-visa only
  • For short term e-visas - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • For long term e-visas - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • Airlines that require OTB for all visa types - Spicejet, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo, Air Arabia, Oman Arabia, Gulf Air.

3. Oman Ok To Board for Indian Passport Holders

At the time of travelling to Oman, Indian passport holders do require an Okay to Board. Some specific parameters for an OTB to Oman are given as follows:

  • For e-visa only
  • For short term e-visas - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • For long term e-visas - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • Airlines that require OTB for all visa types - Spicejet, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo, Air Arabia, Oman Arabia, Gulf Air.

4. Bahrain Ok To Board for Indian Passport Holders

Bahrain is a strict country and like some other passport holders, Indians also require an Okay to Board to board a flight to Oman, mainly Muscat. The criteria for OTB to Oman is given in the following:

  • For e-visa only
  • For short term e-visas - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • For long term e-visas - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • Airlines that require OTB for all visa types - Spicejet, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo, Air Arabia, Oman Arabia, Gulf Air.

5. Kuwait Ok To Board for Indian Passport Holders

Indian passport holders require an Okay to Board before boarding a flight to Kuwait. The parameters that are followed for an OTB to Kuwait are as follows:

  • For e-visa only
  • For short term e-visas - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • For long term e-visas - Passport with ECR and ENCR category
  • Airlines that require OTB for all visa types - Spicejet, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo, Air Arabia, Oman Arabia, Gulf Air.

Important Note: The instructions for obtaining an OK to Board differ from airline to airline, airport to airport and country to country. The information provided is correct up to an extent but there may be certain other requirements like the fees or additional documents and eligibility criteria as well for getting an OK to Board. It is duly recommended that you contact for consultation at -

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Indian Passport holder categories travelling to the UAE require OK To Board?

The Indian passport holders who require an OTB for UAE are the ones who have an ECR on their passports. ECR says that the holder possesses a passport that has an Emigration Check Required (ECR). OTB is just a kind of check that is carried out for the same purpose.

Which Indian Passport holder categories travelling to the UAE do NOT require OK To Board?

The ENCR category of Indian passport holders does not require OTB for UAE. ENCR means Emigration Check Not Required due to which the holders of this category of passport do have to obtain an OTB.

Which Indian Passport holder categories travelling to Qatar require OK To Board?

The Indian passport holders with the category of ECR are the ones who need to get an OTB for Qatar from the airlines from where you have obtained your flight tickets. It is mandatory for the online visa, you may not require an OTB if you have your visa in the form of a stamp.

Which Indian Passport holder categories travelling to Qatar do NOT require OK To Board?

If you are an Indian passport holder of category ENCR, you will not need to obtain an OTB for Qatar. You will also not need an OTB for Qatar if you have your visa stamped on your original passport.

Which Indian Passport holder categories travelling to Oman require OK To Board?

The Indian passport holders will require an OTB for Oman if the passport belongs to the ECR category. The OTB is mandatory for the employment visa and labour permit. Mainly it is required for the visas that are online and the customers are travelling with a printout.

What is the importance of an OK to Board?

At the time of travelling to the GCC countries, there are certain mandatory checks that are performed at the time of boarding the flight. Generally, you will not be allowed to enter the country if OTB for the same is mandated. Also, OTB is obtained before boarding the flight because with this there is no inconvenience caused at the time of departure and makes your trip hassle-free.

Does PNR reflect an OK to Board? What if it doesn’t?

Yes, PNR does reflect on your OTB. PNR means Passenger Name Record, which basically contains all your information that was required for the ticket booking. The PNR number is a unique number provided to every traveller and if the PNR doesn’t reflect on your OTB, you will not be allowed to board the flight. In such cases, it is essential to contact the airlines on time.

Speak To Our OKTB Consultant

Fill in your details below and our consultant will get back to you shortly.
Thanks! we will get back to you soon.

Consultation For OK To Board

Call us on

020 25550000

Apply for Visa Online

Thanks! we will get back to you soon.