Travel Guidelines for UAE Residents
Three weeks to go, for the summer vacations to come to an end. If you are an UAE resident, and wish to return to the UAE from India, here are the latest travel guidelines :
Rules for international travellers arriving in the UAE- as of 26 February 2022
The following rules apply at the airport of departure for all international travellers to the UAE:
- Those who are vaccinated against COVID-19, must present the vaccination certificate containing a QR code. They are not required to present a negative result of RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport of departure.
- Those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, can either present a valid, negative result of an RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before arrival, or present a recovery certificate (containing a QR code) from COVID-19 issued within 30 days before departure, if they were previously infected with the virus.
UAE Residents travelling from India to Dubai – rules as of 19 May 2022
All UAE residents, visitors and tourist from India, can now travel to Dubai without ICA and GDRFA approval. Also fully vaccinated passengers from India are no longer required to undergo a Covid-19 PCR test before arrival in the UAE.
Requirements for all passengers arriving in Dubai
From 26 February 2022, passengers travelling to Dubai from all countries (GCC included) must fulfil one of the below requirements:
- Present a valid vaccination certificate(s) reflecting that the passenger is fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or the UAE, and includes a QR code.
- Present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours from the time of sample collection to the time of boarding and the certificate must be issued by an approved health service provider with a QR code.
- Present a valid medical certificate issued by the relevant authorities that the passenger has recovered from COVID‑19 within 1 month from the date of recovery to the date of arrival.
Children below 12 years old are exempt from the test.
Please take a note of the following points:
- Printed or digital PCR test certificates or vaccination certificates are accepted in English or Arabic and must include a QR code. SMS certificates are not accepted.
- COVID‑19 vaccination certificates without a QR code will be accepted for travel to Dubai as long as the vaccination certificate is issued by test centres/organisations recognised/approved by the national health authorities of the country.
- COVID‑19 PCR test or vaccination certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the departure point.
- PCR tests must be based on a molecular diagnostic test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid for SARS‑COV‑2 viral RNA. Rapid antigen, antibody or any form of rapid lateral flow tests and home test kits will not be accepted.
- NHS COVID‑19 test certificates for travel from the United Kingdom to Dubai will not be accepted.
Exemptions for the COVID‑19 PCR test and the vaccination certificate
The following people are exempt from presenting a COVID-19 test or a vaccination certificate at the departure airport:
- all UAE nationals returning to Dubai from any country
- non‑UAE nationals accompanying a first‑degree UAE national family member
- domestic workers accompanying a UAE national sponsor.
UAE Residents travelling from India to Abu Dhabi
Fully vaccinated arrivals from India travelling to Abu Dhabi are no longer required to undergo a test before they fly to Abu Dhabi.
However, if passengers are not fully vaccinated, they must present:
- A negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours, or
- A COVID-19 recovery certificate. The recovery certificate must be dated within 30 days of departure and have a QR code.
Children under 16 are exempt from the vaccination and testing requirements to fly to Abu Dhabi.
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.
You might also like: Travel Guidelines for UAE Residents flying to India
Quarantine requirements
All those who test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in the UAE must isolate themselves for 10 days.
Abu Dhabi residents are required to take two Covid-19 PCR tests separated by a gap of 24 hours to end their quarantine period.
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.
