Dubai, in last few weeks, has updated its travel rules to ease traveling to emirate without taking a pre-travel PCR test. People traveling from the GCC nations can now take Covid-19 test on arrival. Last month, rules for people coming from UK and Germany were eased out. But depending on virus condition of a country, strict guidelines are still in place for travelers.

The travel guide to Dubai and various queries around it have been explained.

I’m traveling to Dubai as a tourist. Is a pre-flight PCR test needed?

Tourists from 105 countries are required to show a negative Covid-19 test before boarding flight to Dubai. Passengers from US and all European nations but the UK and Germany must take PCR tests before boarding Dubai flights. Results of these tests are valid for 96 hours from date of issue.

Home testing kit and antibody results are not accepted. All travelers are required to carry official, printed certificate in Arabic or English. Digital certificates and SMS are not accepted.

These rules are applicable to passengers from following countries: Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United States.

Passengers from following countries require “double testing”, which means one before departure and second on arrival: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, 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 and Zimbabwe.

Tourists from 6 nations are exempted from pre-flight tests and can be screened for Covid-19 on arrival

Passengers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman don’t need pre-flight test and can get PCR basal swab at the Dubai’s airports. UK and Germany travelers were also exempted from pre-flight tests last month.

If anyone gets tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival, he must be isolated in hotel until receive test results via text message or government’s Covid-19 app.

I’m leaving Dubai as a tourist. Should I get tested before departure?

If the country traveling to required a test, only then a PCR test is required for tourists departing Dubai. Some passengers might require to take a PCR test or any other as mandated by the destination country.

I’m Dubai resident and now traveling back. What approvals and test do I require?

Dubai residence visa holders require a return approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

As of December 10, UAE residents who are traveling from following nations have an option to present negative PCR result before flight at check-in counters OR they can take a PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport. The countries are:

Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, 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, United Kingdom and the United States.

Travelers who take a test within 96 hours of departure must present an official, printed certificate in English or Arabia to check in. Digital certificates and SMS are not accepted.

Residents traveling from following nations need pre-flight test before 96 hours of departure and must be tested again on arrival: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, 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 and Zimbabwe.

I am Dubai resident. Do I require to get a PCR test before leaving the emirate?

Dubai residents would require a test before departure only if required by the country they are traveling to. But when the resident returns, he will need the GDFRA approval and must take PCR test before boarding the flight. Residents are not required to get Dubai government approval to leave emirate.

What travel rules are in place for traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?

All passengers entering Abu Dhabi are required to have negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of landing in UAE. Quarantine may be required depending on duration of stay.

I have just landed in Dubai and want to travel to Abu Dhabi. Is a test required?

If just landed in Dubai and traveling straight to Abu Dhabi, negative PCR test within 48 hours is required and must take a DPI test at the border. Quarantine of 14 days is also required at home or hotel. Travelers must also wear a tracking wristband while in the capital.

Another PCR test must be done after 12 days. If report comes negative, wristband can be removed after 14 days. But if report comes as positive, residents must follow regulations put in place by Abu Dhabi health authority.

Its been 14 days of my tenure in UAE. How many tests should be done and for how long must I be in quarantine in Abu Dhabi?

In this situation, quarantine period will be reduced by number of days already spent in another emirate. If traveler has been in Dubai for 8 days before he entered Abu Dhabi, quarantine period will be reduced to 6 days after entering Abu Dhabi.

What if more than 14 days have been spent in UAE before entering Abu Dhabi?

A PCR test or laser DPI test must be taken by the citizens or residents within 48 hours of traveling to the capital city. Reports must be then presented at Abu Dhabi border.

An additional test is to be taken by visitors on fourth day. Day of arrival is considered the first day. If stay is of more than 8 days, another PCR test must be taken on eighth day.

What are testing rules in place for the citizens?

Emiratis returning to Dubai have been recently given exempt from PCR test before departure and will be tested on arrival.

Exceptions?

Following are exempted from tests:

• Covid-19 vaccine trails volunteers
• People who have taken vaccine shot
• Passengers transitioning to Dubai, unless mandated by country of origin or final destination
• Children under 12 years of age
• Passengers with moderate or severe disability

Transit passengers who have booked hotel outside airport must have negative PCR test result which is valid for 96 hours from date of issue before departure.