COVID-19 information and disrupted travel

The transit rules for Dubai depend on where you are travelling from, where you have transited through, and the requirements of your final destination. It also depends on the countries you have recently visited.

Check the latest rules for transiting in Dubai as a tourist(opens in the same window) or a resident(opens in the same window).

You must also meet the requirements for every country you travel to and transit through on your journey, in addition to your final destination(opens in the same window).

The rules change frequently so check for updates regularly before you travel.

The COVID-19 test requirements vary in each destination.

You may need to take a COVID-19 PCR test before you travel to or connect through Dubai. Children under 12 years old and passengers with moderate or severe disabilities do not have to take the test to travel or connect through Dubai. 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.

For more details visit our Travel requirements for Dubai page(opens in the same window).

If you are travelling beyond Dubai, you need to check the COVID-19 test requirements for your final destination on our Travel requirements by destination page(opens in the same window).

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

Check this list of authorised COVID-19 test laboratories (opens in a new window) in each of our current destinations. This includes a list of COVID-19 test laboratories in Dubai (opens in a new window).

For more information about special rates and COVID-19 PCR test requirements for travel to and from Dubai, go to our Travel requirements for Dubai page(opens in the same window) .

For information about COVID-19 test requirements for travel to our current worldwide destinations, go to our Travel requirements by destination page(opens in the same window) .

If you do not have the correct travel documents and required negative COVID-19 test certificate you will not be able to board the flight.

You must wear cloth or medical mask throughout Dubai International, during boarding, throughout your flight, and as you leave the aircraft. Children under 6 years old and customers who have certain medical conditions do not have to wear a mask.

Due to local government regulations, only medical face masks are accepted on flights from Dubai to Germany, France, and Austria.

If for medical reasons you’re unable to wear a mask throughout your entire journey, just contact us 48 hours before your flight to request an exception and present your medical certificate at check-in. You don't have to complete our MEDIF form. Then the cabin crew on your flight will be aware of your exemption.

The medical certificate must have the following information.

• Your name (as mentioned in your travel document)
• Your date of birth (as mentioned in your travel document)
• Reason for the mask exemption on-board the flight
• Your Doctor’s name
• Doctor’s signature, official stamp and/or license number
• Date of issuance

The validity of the medical certificate must be up to 3 months/ 90 days from the date of issuance. This document must be carried with you at all times during your journey.

The face mask exemption is valid only on-board an Emirates aircraft.

Emirates has partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to make it easier for you to keep track of the latest COVID-19 related travel regulations and have all your testing or vaccination information on hand while you travel.

You can download the app from the iOS App Store. Or download the app from Google Play.

We’re currently in the trial period for the app, so the invitation to download it will only be sent to customers on selected Emirates flights.

In Dubai, you can use the app and get your COVID‑19 PCR test at Premier Diagnostic Center in Deira, Prime Medical Center in Jumeirah and selected Mediclinic locations(Opens an external site in a new window).

You can also visit Unilabs in Jumeirah and Muhaisnah in Dubai or the Corniche Building in Abu Dhabi to get VIP and fast track services (results will be issued within 6 hours) at a special rate of AED 150 for Emirates passengers using IATA Travel Pass. They’re open 24 hours and you do not need an appointment for your visit. For more information, call 800 Unilabs (8645227) or infome@unilabs.com (Opens your email client).

You can also check the lab lists below to find out which labs currently support the IATA Travel Pass App:

ITP Labs(Opens a PDF in a new window)

You can watch video 1 (Opens in a new window) and video 2 (Opens in a new window) to learn more about the IATA Travel Pass App.

For enquiries and more details about the IATA Travel Pass App, please call the Emirates Contact Centre.

No, while using the IATA Travel Pass App makes it more convenient for you to find testing labs and have all your information in one place, it is not a requirement for travel.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled we’ll send an email and an SMS to the contact details you provided in your booking. To make sure you get operational notifications, update your contact details in Manage your booking(Opens in the same window).

In light of Health concerns globally, please refer to this page(Opens in the same window) for information regarding cancellation, changes and refunds.

In light of Health concerns globally, please refer to this page(Opens in the same window) for information regarding cancellation, changes and refunds.

In light of Health concerns globally, please refer to this page(Opens in the same window) for information regarding cancellation, changes and refunds.

In light of Health concerns globally, please refer to this page(Opens in the same window) for information regarding cancellation, changes and refunds.

Due to the ongoing situation, we currently do not offer this service. Please read our updated information(Opens in the same window) specific to operation services during the coronavirus pandemic.

In light of Health concerns globally, please refer to this page(Opens in the same window) for information regarding cancellation, changes and refunds.

In light of Health concerns globally, please refer to this page(Opens in the same window) for information regarding cancellation, changes and refunds.

We understand you might not want to travel during severe weather conditions. We have a very generous waiver policy for these circumstances, outlined below:

• You can change your date of travel to seven days before or after your original travel date.
• You can change your booking to the closest airport in the same country.
• You can refund your ticket.

Please refer to our delayed baggage FAQ(Opens in the same window).

Yes – from 26 October 2017 we’ll have extra security measures in place for all USA-bound flights from Dubai International (DXB). This is in line with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations.

There will be dedicated areas marked for US check-in, and you’ll need to answer security-related questions prior to checking in for your flight. Electronic devices will also be subject to enhanced checks at the boarding gate, and security checks will be required before boarding. Our Group Security team will be providing assistance 24 hours a day to help all customers departing on flights to the US.

All passengers will still be able to check in online, and drop off checked baggage at the Online Check-in Baggage Drop counters in DXB’s dedicated US check-in area.

Please note early check-in is only permitted on the day of travel, up to 12 hours before the flight departs and all travelling members must appear in person with all baggage and documents.

No, from the 30 April 2022, the Hong Kong Government has imposed a ban on the possession and importation of alternative smoking products, such as electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, in baggage, parcels, packages or as cargo. Parts and accessories for their use are also included in the ban.

The ban does not apply to medicines approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, as well as to transit passengers connecting through Hong Kong International Airport without going through immigration. The Hong Kong Government will impose a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and a fine of USD 50,000 on customers who fail to comply.

We’ll give you a confirmed seat on the next available flight to your final destination. That’s in addition to a voucher that you can redeem for a complimentary return ticket on selected Emirates routes. Learn more about your options(opens in the same window)

Denied boarding compensation rules may differ depending on the local regulation.

You’ll receive your voucher at the Emirates Airport Services office, as soon as it is established that you’re not able to make it on to the flight.

No. The voucher is issued for you and can’t be transferred to anyone else. Once the ticket is issued, it is also non-transferable.

No – unfortunately this isn’t possible.

No. The voucher can only be redeemed for one return ticket and must be used in one booking.

Yes. You can change the date or the route (within the applicable zone) only for completely unutilized tickets, at no additional charge, as long as it’s within the ticket’s one year validity.

You can get in touch with the Emirates Contact Centres. Learn more(opens in the same window)

Yes. You can use our Chauffeur-drive service on your compensation ticket when you travel in Business Class.

No. These tickets are not eligible for Skywards Miles accrual.

Yes. You can upgrade your cabin using Skywards Miles or cash. Please get in touch with us(opens in the same window) for more information.

Denied boarding compensation tickets cannot be redeemed if the voucher was lost and / or misplaced.

No, the voucher is only valid between 7 to 365 days after the date it was issued.

No, infant tickets are not applicable for denied boarding vouchers.