Traveling to the UAE. Rules and regulations

All foreign residents returning to the UAE must present a negative PCR test at the airport of departure. The same rules apply to tourists. This test is valid for 96 hours before travel to the UAE.

Residents returning to 6 emirates other than Dubai no longer need ICA approval to return to the UAE, but you must download the Al HOSN app on your cell phones so the authorities can monitor your health while you are in quarantine.

Foreign residents returning to Dubai need GDRFA approval and to download the COVID-19 DXB smart app.

For passengers from these countries:

Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, and the USA.

(This list is subject to change. Follow the Dubai Media Office on Twitter for updates.)

• If you are a foreign resident returning through Dubai airports from the above destinations, you have the option of either submitting a negative PCR test for COVID 19 at the departure airport, conducted within 96 hours prior to travel to Dubai, or taking a PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.
• If you are a tourist arriving in Dubai from the above destinations, you must present a negative PCR test result at the departure airport. This test is valid for 96 hours before travel to Dubai. Passengers arriving from the UK and Germany can take the PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.
• If you are traveling via Dubai from the above destinations, you do not need to submit a negative PCR test result unless required by the destination country.

Additional rules for residents

• If you have a resident visa in Dubai, you must obtain GDRFA approval to return to Dubai prior to travel.
• For others, you must visit uaeentry.ica.gov.ae and provide your passport number and Emirates ID number to get instant confirmation of your entry status.

Some residents may be re-tested upon arrival at Dubai Airport. If you need to take another PCR test upon arrival, you must stay in quarantine at your place of residence until you receive the test result. If the test result is positive, you must remain in isolation and follow the instructions of the Dubai Health Authority. If the test result is negative, quarantine is not necessary.

Additional Information:

• Do I need to apply for a return permit for a resident outside the UAE – GDRFA, Dubai
• Follow the Dubai Media Office on Twitter.
• The latest tweets about Dubai travel protocols.

Rules that apply to all passengers arriving in or transiting through Dubai.

• A certificate of negative COVID-19 must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Dubai does not accept other forms of tests, including antibody tests and home test kits.
• PCR certificates must be official and printed in English or Arabic. SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
• If you are flying in from India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, you must obtain a PCR certificate from one of the laboratories listed in those laboratories.
• If you are flying from other countries, you may use laboratories designated by the Dubai government or any other laboratories certified in your country.
• All travelers must complete a health declaration form (PDF, 500KB).
• They need to download the COVID-19 DXB app, available on the App Store and Google Play. What do you need if you are traveling from the UAE?
• Expatriate citizens and residents do not need permission from the UAE government to travel abroad. However, they must check the requirements of the country they are traveling to. Requirements may include a negative RT-PCR test for COVID 19 before departure, quarantine at the destination, and any other restrictions and security measures specified by the authorities at the destination.

What do you need if you are traveling from the UAE?

Expatriate citizens and residents do not need permission from the UAE government to travel abroad. However, they must verify the requirements of the country to which they are traveling. Requirements may include a negative RT-PCR test for COVID 19 before departure, quarantine at the destination, and any other restrictions and security measures specified by the authorities at the destination.

If you are a UAE national, register with Twajudi before you travel. At the same time, follow the usual preventive measures at UAE airports and at destination airports.

If you contract COVID-19 while abroad, immediately contact the nearest UAE diplomatic mission or the U.S. Department of Treasury call center at 00971-800-44444. The diplomatic mission will then coordinate with local authorities to provide you with medical care and quarantine.

Whether you are a UAE national or a foreign resident, you will need to complete the following additional steps when flying out of Abu Dhabi:

• Take an RT-PCR test at any state-accredited medical facility 96 hours before your flight
• Have RT-PCR done at an SEHA-approved clinic, if you are flying into China
• Submit a negative RT-PCR test result to obtain permission to enter Abu Dhabi if you are travelling from another Emirate to get to Abu Dhabi airport. The test must be completed within the last 48 hours. Cabs run between Dubai and Abu Dhabi Airport.

Note:

• Children under 12 years of age and people with severe and moderate disabilities are exempt from RT-PCR testing.
• If you test positive or cannot show proof of a negative RT-PCR test result, you will not be allowed to travel.

For passengers from these countries:

Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

(This list is subject to change. Follow the Dubai Media Office on Twitter for updates).

• If you are an expatriate resident returning from the above destinations or a tourist arriving from the above destinations, you must take two PCR tests; one prior to departure with a validity of 96 hours before travel to Dubai and a second PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.
• If you are passing through Dubai after arriving from the above destinations, you must have a negative PCR certificate valid for 96 hours prior to travel to Dubai and meet other requirements according to your final destination.

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