Region: Middle East-West Asia

Pandemic Travel Alert

OPEN: to international leisure travel

Updated: 2020-10-26

Entry

General Policy

Effective 24 September 2020, issuing of tourist visas, suspended since March, has resumed.
Effective July 7, Dubai International Airport has reopened to travellers, with the lifting of flight suspension that was in effect since March 26.
Effective June 4, the suspension on all regular commercial passenger flight operations, in effect since March 26, was partially lifted to permit transit/transfer at airports.
Effective June 1, foreign nationals who possess a valid residence visa will be allowed to return, following lifting of a suspension of their entry in effect since March 19.

Sources:

Entry Requirements

(Source: "Tourists travelling to, from, and through Dubai" )

Testing

Pre-Departure COVID‑19 Test Certificate Requirements
- Valid for 96 hours from the date of the test.
- Must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted.
- Must be an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
Test requirements are determined by where the traveller is travelling from.

List Of Originating Points With Special Requirements:

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, United States (California, Florida, Texas), Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
All arrivals must have a pre-departure COVID‑19 test certificate, with the following exceptions:
- Travellers transiting in Dubai who are NOT travelling from any of the listed originating points
- Tourists coming from the UK and Germany have the option to take a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
- UAE residence visa holders who are NOT travelling from any of the listed originating points have the option to take the COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
- UAE nationals will be tested on arrival in Dubai.
Arrivals entering Dubai who are travelling from any of the listed originating points must take two COVID‑19 PCR tests: one before departure, and a second test upon arrival in Dubai.
The UAE government has specified designated laboratories. Travellers can either use a laboratory in the list or use any trusted and certified laboratory in the country of origin. Travellers arriving from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh, must use a designated laboratory to be accepted on the flight.

Data Collection

All travellers to Dubai, including passengers with a connecting flight, must complete an online health declaration form, and give it to the staff at check-in.
Travellers are required to register all their details in the COVID-19 DXB app on arrival.

Quarantine

If tested at the airport, traveller must remain in hotel or residence until test result received. If the test result is positive, traveller will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.

Exit

No info

Other

No info

Pre-pandemic visa rules

Requirements

Passport Validity: 6 months
Other Documents: Confirmed round-trip airline ticket or airline ticket to other destination required for entry.
Transit: - Transit without visa with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country within 24 hours. Must stay in the international transit area of the airport and have documents required for the next destination.
Dual Nationality: The UAE does not recognize dual nationality.
U.S. policy on dual nationality can be found here.

Additional Notes

Can apply to extend stay for an additional 30 days.

Sources:

United Arab Emirates (UAE)