Tourists travelling to, from, and through Dubai

Before you book

Check if you need a visa. Depending on your nationality you can get a visa on arrival, or you can apply for your prearranged visit visa from Dubai Immigration before you travel.

Rules for travel from South Africa and Nigeria

You will not be able to enter Dubai if you have been in or transited through South Africa or Nigeria in the last 14 days before travelling to Dubai. This is not applicable for UAE nationals who are returning to the UAE and members of diplomatic missions. Members of diplomatic missions travelling from Nigeria must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate from one of the authorised laboratories in Nigeria.

Travel from Brazil

Effective 1 March 2021, only passengers with confirmed onward connections through Dubai can be accepted for travel on flight EK262 from Sao Paulo to Dubai. Passenger services from Sao Paulo with final destination Dubai or stopover in Dubai remain suspended until further notice. Only passengers who are travelling to Brazil are permitted to stopover in Dubai. This also applies to UAE nationals and UAE residents.

Rules for travel from India, and effective 12 May 2021, 23:59 Dubai time – for travel from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Only the following categories of passengers will be allowed entry to Dubai: members of diplomatic missions, holders of UAE golden visa, UAE nationals, passengers exempted and/or granted permission to enter the UAE by the appropriate authorities as well as passengers travelling on a business flight who have a valid COVID 19 PCR test certificate.

Passengers exempted from the travel restriction must comply with the following:

• Passengers must have a valid COVID-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours of the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure.
• Only COVID-19 PCR test reports from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report will be accepted.
• Passengers must undergo COVID-19 PCR testing on arrival in Dubai, followed by two other PCR tests on the 4th day and 8th day of their quarantine period.
• Passengers must sign an indemnity document for a 10-day home or hotel quarantine, starting from the day of arrival.
• Passengers must download the DXB COVID-19 app upon arrival at Dubai airports and provide all the required information.

All passengers who have travelled from or transited through India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the last 14 days will not be accepted for travel to or transfer through Dubai from any other point except for returning UAE nationals.

Before you travel

There may be specific departure requirements in your country before you leave. Check the information on our Travel Requirements page.

Requirements for all passengers arriving in Dubai

All passengers travelling to Dubai from any point of origin (GCC countries included) must hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, except for travel from India. Please see the requirements for travel from India below.

The certificate must be a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai. Travellers must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted. PCR certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the originating station.

For passengers arriving from the following countries, 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: Bangladesh, India, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Sudan, Lebanon, and effective 9 May, Egypt and Ethiopia.

Test on arrival

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, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Transiting in Dubai

Passengers transiting through Dubai from the following countries are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, as well as to follow any requirements mandated by their final destination.

Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

The certificate must be a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai. Travellers must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted. PCR certificates in other languages as required by the final destination are acceptable if they can be validated at the originating station.

Passengers from all other countries do not need a COVID-19 PCR test to transit in Dubai, unless it’s required by their final destination.

Test exemptions:

• UAE nationals are exempt from taking a COVID-19 PCR test before departing to Dubai. They will be tested on arrival in Dubai.
• Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking a COVID-19 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 PCR test certificate as per the requirements.
• There may be specific test exemptions in your 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 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.

When you arrive

• 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

Passengers will need to do PCR tests only if it is mandated by the country they are travelling to.

• Please check the requirements of the country you are travelling to. The travel regulations change frequently. You may need to take a COVID-19 PCR test before you depart or another particular type of COVID-19 test specified by your destination.
• This is a list of authorised COVID-19 test laboratories in Dubai where you can get tested before you travel to your destination.

Rapid COVID-19 testing at Dubai International airport for flights to Amsterdam and Copenhagen

All passengers travelling to Amsterdam and Copenhagen must have a negative rapid COVID-19 test certificate before travel. You can take this test at Dubai International airport at the following locations:

• Emirates Terminal 3 departure area next to Costa before the check in thermal scanners
• Transfer passengers can take the rapid test at Gate B05

From 14 February 2021, the rapid COVID-19 test conducted at Dubai Airport facilities will cost AED 150 plus taxes.

If you are starting your journey in Dubai we recommend you arrive at the airport 4 hours before departure and go straight to the testing facility.

More special COVID-19 PCR test rates for Emirates passengers

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

• Located at Al Masood building, Airport Road, Port Saeed area, Deira.
• The 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

Locations in Dubai:

• 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

The test costs AED 150 per person. Home or office testing within Dubai for a minimum of two passengers is also available at AED 240 per person. Test results will be available within 24 hours.

Travel from Dubai to China

• There are specific COVID-19 testing requirements and documents you need to complete if you are travelling from Dubai to China. Check the process and travel requirements for China before you travel.

There are strict rules for travelling into Abu Dhabi by road. Those intending to enter Abu Dhabi must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 48 hours or a negative DPI test result within 24 hours. The day of arrival into Abu Dhabi is counted as day 1.

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.

Abu Dhabi authorities have revised the rules regarding mandatory COVID-19 testing and home quarantine requirements for visitors and vaccinated passengers who are either UAE citizens or residents of the emirate.

• Vaccinated travellers arriving from green countries must take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival and on Day 6, without the need to quarantine.
• Vaccinated travellers arriving from other countries must take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival, quarantine for 5 days and take another COVID-19 PCR test on Day 4.
• Vaccinated travellers identified as a close contact must take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival, quarantine for 5 days and take another COVID-19 PCR test on Day 4.
• Non-vaccinated travellers arriving from green countries must take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine, followed by COVID-19 PCR tests on Day 6, and if the stay is extended, on Day 12 additionally.
• Non-vaccinated travellers arriving from other countries must take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival, quarantine for 10 days and take another COVID-19 PCR test on Day 8.
• Non-vaccinated travellers identified as a close contact must take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival, quarantine for 10 days and take another COVID-19 PCR test on Day 8.

The green list of countries can be found here.

These tests are a legal requirement. Find out where to get tested in Dubai before you enter Abu Dhabi.

COVID-19 flight and travel restrictions remain in place across many countries around the world. We are closely monitoring the situation as it evolves, and we hope to resume services as soon as conditions allow. This includes receiving government approvals, the easing of travel restrictions, and commercial demand. We will announce any service resumption when we can. Find out which destinations we’re flying to and from.