Entry rules for Abu Dhabi
Are you planning to travel to the capital city? Keeping up-to date on the latest requirements and restrictions is crucial with all the changes to the rules and regulations for travel into the capital.
Visiting Abu Dhabi remains a safe, awe-inspiring, and culturally rich experience. Throughout this guide, we explain the most important rules for accessing Abu Dhabi and its public spaces.
It would be best to begin with the Al Hosn Green Pass, which is the basic requirement to enter public places within Abu Dhabi.
What is the Al Hosn Green Pass?
The Al Hosn Green Pass is a digital document accessible through the Al Hosn app.
The Al Hosn app is the official COVID-19 results app for the UAE. The app is currently available in Arabic, English and Hindi. You can download it from the App Store, Google Play, Huawei App Gallery, and Galaxy Store for free.
On the Al Hosn app, you will be able to view:
- your vaccination certificate (UAE residents vaccinated in the UAE, will have their vaccination details automatically loaded in the app, but for tourists traveling to the UAE, should follow the guide given below to upload their vaccination certificates in the app).
- any recent PCR tests linked to your account, if taken.
The Al Hosn App requires your Emirates ID number if you are a resident. For tourists, the app asks for UID (Unified Identification) number, which is obtained from their visa.
Call 800 HOSN (4676) if you face an issue in installing or using the Al Hosn app.
Al Hosn Colour Coding System
Al Hosn generates a unique personal QR code, following a three colour-coding system: grey, green or red on the completion of your vaccination and validity of your RT-PCR test result.
If you are:
- Grey means neutral; that you have no test results that are currently available, or when the validity of the RT-PCR test ends.
- Green means you have been tested and you are healthy. This could grant you access to public places in the future.
- Red means have you tested COVID positive and you must seek the advice of the local health authority.
As of March 24, 2022, the green pass will be available to everyone regardless of their vaccination status. Al Hosn App’s tweet more on it as below:
Tourists and unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals can now obtain the green status on #Alhosn app! For more information about the updated protocols, please visit the support center on your Alhosn app. pic.twitter.com/AdTs3khXAR
— Al Hosn App (@AlHosnApp) March 24, 2022
Al Hosn Green Pass validity period 2022
As of June 13,2022, validity of the green pass on Al Hosn following a negative test result from a fully vaccinated individual (which is —he/she have had both doses of the vaccine, and a booster shot six months after receiving your second dose) is 14 days. Previously, the validity period of the green pass was for 30 days.
If you are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated – you can obtain a 48 hour Al Hosn Green Pass with a negative PCR test, effective Thursday 17 March 2022.
If you are exempted from taking a COVID-19 vaccine and have official doctor-approved medical exemptions, you will hold a valid Green Pass status for a period of seven days from a negative PCR test.
Children under 16 years, the status will appear as green on Al Hosn app without the requirement of a test.
If you have recently recovered from COVID, you will receive a Green Pass valid for 30days – exactly 11 days after receiving a positive test. After that a negative PCR test will be required, for a follow up Green Pass window of 30 days.
Entry to Public Places
Most public places and attractions in Abu Dhabi are only accessible to those individuals, who hold ‘Green’ status on the Al Hosn App.
If you are fully vaccinated (including the booster shot, which is taken six months after the second dose) and have a green pass on Al Hosn App, which appears after a negative PCR test result and remains for 14 days, you can enter public places.
Unvaccinated individuals and those with grey status on Al Hosn app, which reflects an expired PCR test, are prohibited from entering these public places.
If you have an official exemption from vaccination, and have a negative PCR test result from the past 7 days, you can enter the public places.
Unvaccinated travellers need to take a PCR test every 48 hours to maintain ‘Green’ status for entry to public places.
Children under 16 years, whose status will appear as green on Al Hosn app without the requirement of a test, will also be allowed entry.
Public places which require green pass for entry include shopping malls, hotels, public parks and beaches, health clubs and resorts, as well as entertainment centers like cinemas, museums, restaurants and cafes.
Current Entry Rules for Abu Dhabi
Entry to Abu Dhabi by Air
As of 26 February 2022, you no longer need a test before you fly to Abu Dhabi if you are fully vaccinated, or you hold a COVID-19 recovery certificate with a QR code issued within 30 days.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you must present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure, or a Covid-19 recovery certificate with a QR code dated within 30 days of departure. Children under 16 are exempt.
As of March 7, it is now no longer mandatory to take a PCR test upon arrival in Abu Dhabi International Airport. However, the testing facility remains at the airport for any visitors that wish to take a PCR test to activate their Green Pass in Al Hosn app and facilitate access to Abu Dhabi’s public places and tourist attractions. The cost of this PCR test is AED 40.
Transiting in Abu Dhabi
You do not need a COVID-19 test certificate or a vaccination for transiting the UAE, unless your final destination requires it.
Entry to Abu Dhabi by Road
Effective from 28 February 2022, all requirements to enter the emirate of Abu Dhabi from within the UAE have been removed. This includes removal of EDE scanners and requirements for the Al Hosn green pass.
However, if you wish to enter any of the public places in Abu Dhabi, a Green Pass on Al Hosn app is mandatory (as mentioned above).
You might also like: Travel Guidelines for UAE Residents flying from India to UAE
Al Hosn App for Tourists
The Al Hosn app is worth downloading if you are heading to Abu Dhabi as a tourist, especially if you are vaccinated. To register, you have to use the Unified Identification Number (UID), which can be received at UAE international airport upon arrival or via the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website (ica.gov.ae) or ICA app.
Here’s how tourists can prove they’ve been vaccinated:
To upload your vaccination certificate, download the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA UAE Smart) app or visit the ica.gov.ae website and attach your vaccination certificate(s) for approval. The ICA website requires tourists to register their documents five days prior to departure.
Once you have uploaded the vaccination certificate, you will receive an SMS with a link to download the Al Hosn App. Use the same mobile number for ICA app and Al Hosn app. To set up your profile on the Al Hosn app, you will need an UID number which can be obtained at the airport once you arrive.
According to latest update, unvaccinated individuals and people without the Al Hosn Green Pass can now visit “events, tourist attractions and cultural sites in Abu Dhabi” with a negative PCR test obtained within 48 hours.
