Depending on your UAE visa, you need to apply to either the GDRFA or ICA for approval to return.
You will not be able to enter Dubai if you have been in South Africa within 14 days of departure to Dubai. This includes transiting in other countries within 14 days before travelling to Dubai.
If you hold a valid visa from any other emirate outside of Dubai, you must obtain entry permission from the Federal Authority through uaeentry.ica.gov.ae
There may be specific departure requirements in your country before you leave. Check the information on our Travel Requirements page.
New requirement for all passengers arriving in Dubai from 31 January 2021
Effective 31 January 2021, all passengers arriving into Dubai from any point of origin (GCC countries included) must hold a negative PCR test certificate, for which the test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to time of departure.
UAE nationals are exempt from the above, but will be required to take a PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport.
Passengers arriving into Dubai from certain countries will be required to take another PCR test on arrival at DXB.
Passengers transiting through Dubai must ensure that they comply with the entry requirements of their respective destination country.
The COVID-19 PCR test requirements for Dubai have changed.
The following entry rules apply to UAE residents travelling from these countries and territories:
Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
The following entry rules apply to UAE residents travelling from these countries and territories:
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
If you are transiting in Dubai, you are not required to present a COVID-19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by your country of origin or final destination.
Test exemptions:
COVID-19 testing laboratories:
Passengers will need to do PCR tests only if it is mandated by the country they are travelling to.
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
Prime Medical Centres
Locations in Dubai:
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.
American Hospitals Dubai
Travel from Dubai to China
There are strict rules for travelling into Abu Dhabi by road. All passengers entering Abu Dhabi must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 48 hours. You may have to quarantine depending on how long you have been in the UAE.
Arriving passengers
If you have just arrived in Dubai and travel straight to Abu Dhabi, you must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 48 hours and take a COVID-19 PCR test at the border. Travellers from green countries must self-isolate until they receive a negative result from the COVID-19 PCR test taken on landing. The quarantine period for travellers coming from other countries is 10 days. Your quarantine may be at home, in a hotel, or in accommodation provided by the health authorities. Travellers intending to stay in Abu Dhabi for longer than 4 consecutive days must undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on day 4, and on day 8 if they remain in the emirate for 8 or more consecutive days.
If you have been in the UAE for up to 10 days
Your quarantine time will be reduced by the number of days you have already been in another emirate of the UAE. For example, if you have been in Dubai for 6 days before entering Abu Dhabi, you must quarantine for 4 days after entering Abu Dhabi.
Entering Abu Dhabi from other emirates
You must present at the Abu Dhabi border your negative COVID-19 PCR test results or negative laser DPI blood test results issued within 48 hours.
Effective 17 January 2021, all UAE citizens and expats, including returning Abu Dhabi residents, must present a negative result for a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or diffractive phase interferometry (DPI) laser test taken 48 hours before entry to Abu Dhabi.
Residents and visitors will need to undergo additional tests in the emirate based on their period of stay. If they stay on for more than four days, they must take a COVID-19 PCR test on the fourth day, and on the eighth day. The day of arrival is counted as the first day.
Exemption: Volunteers of the COVID-19 vaccine trials and those taking the vaccine under the national vaccination programmes with active icons on the Alhosn app are exempted from these measures and are authorised to use emergency vehicle lanes for a smooth journey.
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.