Travelling to the UAE

Vaccinated travellers to the UAE are not required to present a negative result of RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport of departure. However, those who are not vaccinated must either present a valid, negative result of an RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before arrival or a recovery certificate (containing a QR code) from COVID-19 issued within 30 days before departure, if they were infected with the virus.

Rules for international travellers- as of 26 February 2022

The following rules apply at the airport of departure for all international travellers to the UAE:

Those who are vaccinated against COVID-19, must present the vaccination certificate containing a QR code. They are not required to present a negative result of RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the airport of departure.
Those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, can either present a valid, negative result of an RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours before arrival, or present a recovery certificate (containing a QR code) from COVID-19 issued within 30 days before departure, if they were previously infected with the virus.

Text sourced from the website of The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA).

Travelling to Dubai - rules as of 19 May 2022

Rules for Dubai residence visa holders, visitors and tourists

All UAE residents, visitors and tourists can travel to Dubai without an approval from GDRFA or ICP. However, visitors and tourists have to meet the visa requirements before travel, if they are not eligible for visa on arrival. Check visa requirements to visit the UAE.

Requirements

Passengers travelling to Dubai from all countries, including the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), must fulfil one of the below requirements at the airport of departure:

present a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate, reflecting that the passenger is fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) or the UAE. The certificate must contain a QR code.
present a valid negative COVID-19 test certificate that should be based on a molecular diagnostic test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid for SARS‑COV‑2 viral RNA. The certificate must be issued within 48 hours from the time of sample collection by an approved health service provider and must contain a QR code.
present a valid medical certificate from the relevant authorities that the passenger has recovered from the novel coronavirus COVID-19, issued within one month before the date of arrival. The certificate must contain a QR code.

If you are arriving from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh or Egypt, you must get your certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories (PDF, 150 KB) .

Exemptions for the COVID‑19 PCR test and the vaccination certificate

The following people are exempt from presenting a COVID-19 test or a vaccination certificate at the departure airport:

all UAE nationals returning to Dubai from any country
non‑UAE nationals accompanying a first‑degree UAE national family member
domestic workers accompanying a UAE national sponsor.

The following people are exempt from being tested for COVID-19:

children below 12 years of age
passengers with moderate to severe disabilities.

Note:

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, have a hearing impairment or are physically challenged, must hold a negative COVID‑19 RT‑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.

Transiting through Dubai

Transiting passengers are not required to present a COVID -19 RT-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.

Information sourced from the website of Emirates Airline.

Rules for travelling to and through Dubai
Travel requirements by destination
Quarantine guidelines for travellers to Dubai.

Travelling to Abu Dhabi

You do not need a negative result of an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 if:

you are fully vaccinated or
you are under 16 or
you hold a recovery certificate (containing a QR code) from COVID-19 issued within 30 days before departure.

Additionally, you will not need to quarantine when you arrive in Abu Dhabi.

On the other hand, you must present a negative result of an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 done 48 hours before your flight to Abu Dhabi if:

You are not fully vaccinated and do not hold a COVID-19 recovery certificate
You are transiting in Abu Dhabi and a test is required at your final destination.

If you are required to take a PCR test and unable to present proof of your negative COVID-19 PCR test, you will not be permitted to travel.

On arrival at Abu Dhabi

It is no longer mandatory to undergo an RT-PCR test upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. However, one may undergo the test to keep his/her ‘Green Pass’ active on the Al Hosn app in order to get access to public places in Abu Dhabi.

The test costs AED 40. Additionally, passengers do not need to quarantine themselves on arrival.

Find out in this guide everything you need to know before you fly to Abu Dhabi including testing, transit and quarantine information.

Remember that You must be fully vaccinated to enter most public places in Abu Dhabi.

Transiting in Abu Dhabi

You do not need a COVID-19 test certificate or a vaccination for transiting the UAE, unless your final destination requires it.

Note

Children under 16 are exempt from the vaccination and testing requirements to fly to Abu Dhabi neither on arrival nor during transit; unless the same is required for final destination.

Travelling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and other emirates

You can travel to Dubai or any other emirate in the UAE after arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Abu Dhabi accepts pre-arranged visas issued by other emirates in the UAE.

You can travel to Dubai by any means of transport. No test or app is needed to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.

Learn more about travelling to Dubai and other emirates via Abu Dhabi.