Travellers arriving from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia must follow specific protocols:
A valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate with a QR code issued within 48 hours prior to departure from an approved health facility
A rapid PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within six hours of departure
For passengers travelling to Dubai as their final destination from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Vietnam and Zambia, travel is currently not possible as there are no rapid PCR testing facilities at the airport.
Please see the requirements for travel from India below.
Travellers must bring an official printed or digital certificate in English or Arabic to check-in – SMS certificates are not accepted. PCR certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the originating station.
COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test certificates must be issued by an authorised facility in the passenger’s departure country. Certificates that have already been presented for travel to another destination can’t be used for re‑entry even if they are still within the validity period.
For passengers traveller from Indonesia, Sudan, Lebanon, Egypt and Ethiopia, it is mandatory that the COVID‑19 PCR report includes a QR code linked to the original report for verification purposes. The QR code must be presented at check‑in and to representatives of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) upon arrival in Dubai airports.
Indian Nationals with a normal passport who are travelling to or from India via Dubai can obtain a visa on arrival in Dubai for a maximum stay of 14 days provided they:
Have a visitor visa or a green card issued by the Unites States, or
A residence visa issued by the United Kingdom or European union
The visa issued by United States, United Kingdom or Europe union has to be valid for a minimum of 6 months
Passengers arriving in Dubai from the following countries will be required to take another COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai International airport: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait.
Transiting in Dubai
All transit passengers must complete all the requirements of their final destination.
Transit passengers from the Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Indonesia must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
All other transit passengers are not required to present this certificate unless it is mandated by their final destination.
UAE nationals are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 PCR test before departing for Dubai. They must be tested on arrival in Dubai, irrespective if they are holding a valid negative COVID‑19 RT‑PCR certificate from the point of origin.
This is also applicable for:
Passengers accompanying the 1st degree UAE nationals’ relative or domestic workers
Domestic workers escorting a UAE national sponsor during travel.
Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test.
Moderate or severe disability includes neurological disorders and intellectual or developmental disabilities.
For example: Acute spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Ataxia,
Autism spectrum, Bell’s palsy, Brain tumours, Cerebral aneurysm, Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy
and seizures
All other passengers, including those who are visually impaired, hearing impaired or physically challenged
must hold a negative COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test certificate as per the requirements.
There may be specific test exemptions in the country of origin and final destination. Please check the requirements before you travel.
COVID‑19 testing laboratories:
The UAE government has specified designated laboratories. You can either use the recommended laboratories in the list or any trusted and certified laboratories in your country of origin to get your COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test.
If you are flying from India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh , you must get your certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories document to be accepted on the flight.
After Arriving
You may need to take another COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival. If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the test result.
If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.
You must also download the COVID19 – DXB Smart App iOS‑Android
Travelling from the United Kingdom
All passengers travelling to Dubai from the UK must hold a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure and the certificate must be a Reverse transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‑PCR) test. Note that NHS Covid Test certificates are not accepted for travel from the United Kingdom.
UAE Nationals travelling to Dubai are exempted from COVID‑19 testing requirements prior to departure but will be subject to a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
Travelling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi
There are strict rules for travelling into Abu Dhabi by road.
Arriving passengers
Passengers who are planning to travel to Abu Dhabi must comply with the following protocols in place at all Abu Dhabi borders. These procedures may affect travel time.
Effective 5 September 2021, Abu Dhabi authorities have revised the rules and updated travel procedures for UAE citizens and residents as well as visitors entering Abu Dhabi.
Vaccinated travellers
Vaccinated travellers from green list destinations must take a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival and on day 6 after arrival but do not have to undergo quarantine.
When arriving from other destinations (non‑green), they must take a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival and on days 4 and 8 after arrival but do not have to undergo quarantine.
The protocol applies to fully vaccinated UAE citizens and residents as well as visitors, which is also documented in the Alhosn App.
Unvaccinated travellers
Unvaccinated citizens, residents and visitors arriving into Abu Dhabi from green list destinations must take a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival and on days 6 and 9 after arrival but do not have to undergo quarantine.
When arriving from other destinations (non‑green), they must take a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival, quarantine for 10 days, wear a medically approved wristband and take another COVID‑19 PCR test on day 9 of quarantine.
To be considered fully vaccinated, individuals must have received two doses of the same vaccine at least 14 days before departure.
Vaccination certificate verification
Before departure, visitors need to register in the Register Arrivals section of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) app, complete the register arrivals form and upload an international vaccination certificate. Visitors will then receive an SMS including a link to download the Alhosn app.
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, visitors will receive a Unified Identification Number (UID) either at the airport or via the ICA app or website. Visitors will then need to download and register on the Alhosn app using the UID and phone number used for ICA registration or when taking a COVID‑19 PCR test in the UAE.
Visitors will receive a one‑time password (OTP) to complete the Alhosn app registration process. Alhosn app allows users to check status, vaccination information, test results and travel test requirements and use a live QR code.
These tests and processes are a legal requirement and those failing to follow this process are liable for fines.
