Travel requirements for Dubai residents

Before you travel

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

Requirement for all passengers arriving in Dubai

All passengers arriving into 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.

• UAE nationals are exempt from the above, but will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport.
• Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from the COVID-19 PCR test.
• Passengers arriving into Dubai from the below countries will be required to take another COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Dubai International airport.
• Passengers transiting through Dubai from the below 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.
• 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.

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

Passengers transiting through Dubai from all other countries do not need a COVID-19 PCR test unless required by their final destination.

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.

Test exemptions:

• Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from this COVID-19 PCR test. There may be specific test exemptions in your country of origin and final destination. Please check the requirements before you travel.
• UAE nationals are exempt from doing the COVID-19 PCR test prior to departing from the origin station to Dubai. They will be tested on arrival in Dubai.
  

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 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.

• If you travel out of Dubai and return, the process above will apply to your return journey.
• Dubai residents do not need Dubai government approval to leave Dubai.
• 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

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 take another COVID-19 PCR test on day 6, without the need to quarantine. A COVID-19 PCR test is required on arrival and on day 8 for passengers arriving from other countries, as well as a 10 day quarantine period. Your quarantine may be at home, in a hotel, or in accommodation provided by the health authorities.

If you have been in other Emirates and then travelling to Abu Dhabi

You must present at the Abu Dhabi border your negative COVID-19 PCR test results issued within 48 hours or negative laser DPI blood test results issued within 24 hours before entry. DPI tests cannot be used to enter Abu Dhabi consecutive times. Residents and visitors will need to undergo additional tests in AUH based on their period of stay and type of test conducted. For those entering with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, they must take another COVID-19 PCR test on the day 4 and additionally on day 8, if staying for 8 days or more. If entry was with a negative DPI test result, a COVID-19 PCR test must be conducted on day 3 of entry and on day 7 if the stay is for 7 days or more.

Exemption

Volunteers of the COVID-19 vaccine trials and those taking the vaccine under the national vaccination programmes with active icons (Letter E or Gold Star) on the Alhosn app are exempted from these measures and are authorised to use emergency vehicle lanes for a smooth journey. All are required to adhere to their respective protocols.

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.