Travel requirements for Dubai residents

All UAE residents can now travel to Dubai without GDRFA(Opens an external website in a new tab) or ICA(Opens an external website in a new tab) approval.

With immediate effect, Nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries i.e., Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar & Saudi Arabia when traveling within GCC countries are allowed to enter Dubai with their National Identity Card (ID Card).

From 26 February 2022, passengers travelling to Dubai from all countries (GCC included) must fulfil one of the below requirements:

1. Present a valid vaccination certificate(s) reflecting that the passenger is fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the WHO or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and includes a QR code
2. 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
3. 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

Note:

• 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.

For transit passenger(s), the rules and conditions for entry at the final destination will apply.

UAE nationals arriving from all countries to Dubai are not required to present any PCR or vaccination certificate.

An exemption from this requirement is also extended to the below categories of passengers travelling to Dubai from all destinations:

• First degree relatives of a UAE national travelling on the same flight
• Domestic workers travelling with a UAE national sponsor

• Children below 12 years old.
• Passengers with moderate to severe disabilities:
  • 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.

Transiting passengers are not required to present a COVID 19-PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by their final destination.

Passengers booked with Dubai Connect/Stopover packages must follow the same PCR test requirements as applicable for passengers arriving/entering Dubai.

The UAE government has specified designated laboratories in each of our current destinations.

This includes a list of COVID-19 test laboratories in Dubai.

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.

Emirates has expanded its medical partnerships to offer all passengers exclusive home or office COVID-19 PCR testing rates at the following centres:

Al Tadawi Medical Centre

Location: Al Masood building, Airport Road, Port Saeed area, Deira.

Test costs: AED 130 per person. Home or office testing within Dubai costs AED 240 per person. Test results will be available within 24 hours.

Prime Medical Centres

• Al Qusais Branch, Damascus Street
• Premier Diagnostic and Medical Center, Salah Al Din Street
• Prime Corp Medical Center, Salah Al Din Street, Deira
• Sheikh Zayed Branch, Sheikh Zayed Street, near Noor Islamic Bank
• Prime Specialist Medical Center Sharjah Branch, King Faisal St, Al Majaz
• Ajman Branch, Grand Mall, Sheikh Khalifa St

Passengers travelling from Dubai will need to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing only if it is required by the country you are travelling to.

If you travel out of Dubai, the requirements for passengers travelling to Dubai will apply to your return journey. Dubai residents do not need Dubai government approval to leave Dubai.

The regulations change frequently, so please check the requirements of your destination before you travel.

Check the list of recommended COVID-19 test laboratories in Dubai(Opens a PDF in a new tab) where you can get tested before you travel to your destination.

Effective 26 February 2022, passengers are no longer required to show a Green status on the Al Hosn app to enter Abu Dhabi or go through the EDE scanners at the border. 

However, all travellers coming to the UAE from international destinations will need to present an approved QR code and vaccination certificate. Travellers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 will need to present a valid, negative PCR test result received within 48 hours or a certificate with a QR code proving that they have recovered from COVID-19 within one month before the date of travel. 

The Green Pass will remain mandatory for entry into public places in Abu Dhabi, such as in shopping malls and restaurants, among others. 

What is the Green Pass? 

For vaccinated residents and visitors who receive a negative COVID 19 PCR test result, their green status on the Al Hosn will be activated for 14 days. After which, their status will turn grey and they will have to take another PCR test.

Find out where to get tested in Dubai before you enter Abu Dhabi(Opens a PDF in a new tab).