COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in UAE (17 March Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

  • Yes

  • Citizens and residents are allowed to enter. All UAE residents must update their personal details on uaeentry.ica.gov.ae prior to travelling to the UAE.

  • Citizens and residents of the UAE are allowed to travel abroad.

  • UAE residents will need to have approval through https://uaeentry.ica.gov.ae from ICA before departure from UAE. They must check their status before departure. This does not apply to travellers returning to Dubai.

  • Abu Dhabi: Passengers having a residence visa are also allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi. The rules for entering and remaining in Abu Dhabi change regularly. Current updates and current requirements must be checked at the Abu Dhabi Media Office Website.

  • Dubai: Residents arriving in Dubai are not required to have GDRFA approval. Dubai Airports have stated that returning passengers holding residence visas issued in other Emirates need approval from the ICA to return to the country.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Most foreign travellers are allowed to enter.

  • Passengers arriving from South Africa are not allowed to enter.

  • Travellers with an entry permit issued by the UAE authorities will be allowed to enter.

  • The UAE has resumed issuing visas to foreigners for visiting all seven regions of UAE from all countries except for 13 countries including Pakistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Turkey, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Kenya, and Afghanistan. Work permits are currently issued only for government and semi-government employees, workers for vital sectors, and domestic workers. The suspension of issuing visas will not affect already issued visas. The issuance of visas to travellers from the above-mentioned 13 countries will remain suspended until further notice.

  • Abu Dhabi: Only UAE nationals, residents with a valid residence visa, and those who are eligible for a visa on arrival can enter the UAE through Abu Dhabi’s airports. All other types of visas remain suspended. Tourists travelling to Dubai via Abu Dhabi must have an Abu Dhabi tourist visa. Tourist visas issued in Dubai will not be accepted. The rules for entering and remaining in Abu Dhabi change regularly. Current updates and current requirements must be checked at the Abu Dhabi Media Office Website.

  • Dubai: a) Visitor and tourist visas are being issued at Dubai Airports; b) Travellers arriving from some countries, including Canada, the US, and the UK, may be able to obtain a tourist visa after arriving in Dubai which will be valid for 30 days. For visa requirements, visit this website here; c) All arrivals with visitor and tourist visas in Dubai will need to have a return/onward ticket to enter Dubai otherwise they may be denied entry; d) Citizens of Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia arriving in Dubai must have a UAE identity card; and e) Travellers arriving from or who have transited through South Africa within the last ten days prior to departure for Dubai will not be allowed to enter. Dubai residents will need to have approval from UAE authorities through the GDRFA website to depart from South Africa. Tourists travelling to Dubai via Abu Dhabi must have an Abu Dhabi tourist visa – tourist visas issued in Dubai will not be accepted.

  • Travellers from Nigeria who are entering Dubai or Al Maktoum must be on a direct flight. Nationals of Nigeria must have a return ticket, a hotel booking, or proof of accommodation address for the period of stay. Arrivals having resident visas are exempted.

  • Sharjah: Tourists arriving in Sharjah must have a return ticket. Arrivals from all destinations must have a local UAE Mobile Number starting with 050,052, 056, 057 or 058 for PCR tracking and tracing purposes. Without a UAE Mobile Number, passengers will not be allowed into the UAE. For the traveller’s convenience, Telecom providers have booths in the Arrival PCR Testing Zones, so that a UAE SIM Card can be purchased, if needed.

*Is transit allowed through the country? *

  • Yes

  • Transiting is allowed at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum (DWC), and Sharjah International Airport (SHJ).

  • Travellers must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate from an approved lab issued at most 96 hours prior to departure. Travellers can find approved labs here. People below 12 years of age, disabled people, and arrivals from the UK are exempt from this requirement.

  • Transit through Abu Dhabi (AUH) is allowed for a maximum of 12 hours. Anyone transiting Abu Dhabi for more than 8 hours must have a hotel booking in advance.

  • Anyone with UK Emergency Travel Documents may enter, transit, and exit from the UAE.

  • Transiting travellers from the UK must have a negative PCR test certificate issued within the last 72 hours prior to departure for UAE. Passengers below 12 years of age and disabled travellers are exempted from this requirement. Transit travellers through Dubai or Al Maktoum are also exempt.

*Is a test required on arrival/departure? *

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Strict entry restrictions remain in place upon arrival at all airports in the UAE which may include a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival. All arrivals will undergo medical screening.

  • Passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or Al Maktoum may be required to have a COVID-19 test on arrival.

  • Airline crew arriving at Abu Dhabi may be required to go through screening measures.

  • All arrivals from the United Kingdom are required to have a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival in all parts of UAE (except Dubai).

  • Dubai: Arrivals in Dubai from countries having high infection rates and UAE citizens arriving from any country must have a COVID-19 test upon arrival.

  • Abu Dhabi: After the arriving travellers have disembarked from their flight, medical authorities at Abu Dhabi International Airport will perform a free PCR test. Following the PCR test, the arrivals will be requested to fill in a Quarantine Undertaking form while at the airport. Eight days following arrival in Abu Dhabi, travellers will need to have a second PCR test. The day of one’s arrival in Abu Dhabi is counted as day 1. Details will be shared upon arrival. The rules for entering and remaining in Abu Dhabi change regularly. Current updates and current requirements must be checked at the Abu Dhabi Media Office Website.

  • Sharjah: Travellers arriving/departing Sharjah must have a PCR test after arrival.

  • People who have been vaccinated (those who have an active status, letter ‘E’ or gold star, on the Alhosn app) are exempt from the requirement for a PCR test.

*Is a test certificate allowed? *

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Test certificates issued in other countries are accepted and must be in English or Arabic.

  • According to the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, test reports issued by some Indian laboratories are not being accepted. Travellers are advised to ensure their tests are done by approved laboratories.

  • Travellers arriving in Al Maktoum or Dubai must have a test certificate issued by an approved lab listed on https://screening.purehealth.ae or a lab approved by the departure country. UAE residents, passengers with disabilities, and travellers below 12 years of age are exempt from this requirement.

*Test certificate required? *

  • Yes with exceptions

  • All citizens, returning residents, transit passengers, and tourists (with a few exceptions for Dubai) must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within 96 hours before boarding a flight to the UAE. The certificate is required for travellers from all countries arriving at all airports. Children under the age of 12 and anyone with severe to moderate disabilities are exempt from the test requirement.

  • Travellers arriving from the UK must have a negative PCR test certificate issued within the last 72 hours prior to departure for UAE. Passengers aged below 12 years and disabled travellers are exempted from this requirement. Transit travellers through Al Maktoum are also exempted.

  • Al Maktoum: a) Travellers arriving in Al Maktoum must have a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within the last 72-hours prior to departure. Nationals of UAE, people below 12 years of age, and disabled people are exempt from this requirement. b) Travellers from Nigeria must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within the last 72-hours prior to departure and also a negative COVID-19 rapid test result issued within the last four hours prior to departure.

  • Dubai: All tourists, GCC citizens, and UAE residents must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued by an officially recognized testing centre no more than 72 hours before the scheduled flight departure time. The certificate must be in English or Arabic only. Handwritten certificates will not be accepted. Children under the age of 12 and passengers with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from PCR test requirements.

  • Abu Dhabi and Sharjah: All arrivals (except those from the UK), including visitors and residents entering Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within 96 hours prior to departure. People below age 12 and disabled people are exempt from this requirement. Travellers from the UK are also exempt from the requirement. Travellers to Abu Dhabi from the UK must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure. They will also be required to undertake a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival. The rules for entering and remaining in Abu Dhabi change regularly. Current updates and current requirements must be checked at the Abu Dhabi Media Office Website.

  • Departing travellers will need to present a paper-based negative PCR test result for a test taken within the past 96 hours, prior to travelling from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

  • All departing travellers from UAE to the EU and UK must have a negative PCR test certificate issued within the last 96 hours prior to their departure. Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from this test. However, travellers departing from Dubai are not required to have a test certificate to enter the UK.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Airline crew must undergo quarantine until their next flight if they do not have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within the last 72-hours prior to departure of the last direct flight to UAE.

  • Abu Dhabi: Travellers entering Abu Dhabi are required to wear a government-provided wristband and complete a minimum 10-day period of self-isolation or quarantine. The wrist band must be worn throughout the 10-day quarantine period. Travellers arriving directly from countries on the green list are exempt from this requirement. Travellers entering Abu Dhabi who have participated in the UAE voluntary COVID-19 vaccination programme or who have participated in the third phase of clinical vaccination research, or who have obtained a mark in the ‘Al Hosn App,’ are exempt from quarantine on arrival in Abu Dhabi. The rules for entering and remaining in Abu Dhabi change regularly. Current updates and current requirements must be checked at the Abu Dhabi Media Office Website. Anyone wishing to travel outside of Abu Dhabi immediately after arriving will need to inform the medical authorities that he/she will be travelling directly out of Abu Dhabi Emirate to Dubai or any of the Northern Emirates. This will enable him/her to be exempted from mandatory quarantine in Abu Dhabi.

  • Sharjah: Travellers arriving in Sharjah will need to go through self-quarantine until they have their PCR test result. If the result is positive, they have to isolate for 14-days.

  • Passengers arriving in Al Maktoum may be required to go through quarantine.

  • Arrivals in Dubai are also required to quarantine at least for ten days.

  • Travellers from the UK will be required to quarantine until they receive the result of the test conducted on arrival.

  • Travellers who tested positive on arrival will be required to go through quarantine for 10 days on arrival, even if they had a negative COVID-19 PCR test before travelling to UAE.

  • Based on the above restrictions, the traveller will be required to spend between 10 and 14 days in quarantine, where 10 in the minimum and 14 is the maximum.

Is a vaccination required?

  • No

  • Vaccination against COVID-19 is not required to enter the UAE.

*Insurance required? *

  • Yes

  • All travellers arriving in UAE from Nigeria must have valid health insurance that covers the duration of their stay.

  • Dubai & Sharjah: Visitors and tourists must have health insurance before departing for Dubai and Sharjah. Travellers wishing to depart from Sharjah airport must also obtain international health insurance.

*Entry form required? *

  • Yes

  • Nationals of Korea must have an “Isolation Exemption Certificate” and a pre-arranged visa while travelling on the Fast Track program.

  • Dubai: Arrivals in Dubai (DXB) will need to complete a self-declaration health form and a Quarantine Form. Both forms need to be completed, printed, and given to Dubai Health Authority staff on arrival.

  • Abu Dhabi: After the arriving travellers have disembarked from their flight, arrivals will be requested to fill in a Quarantine Undertaking form while at the airport following a free PCR test.

  • Sharjah: Travellers will need to complete a “Health Disclosure Form” upon arrival at the airport.

  • Ras Al Khaimah: Anyone entering Ras Al Khaimah must complete a health disclosure form on arrival.

Recommended Border App

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Abu Dhabi: All arrivals in Abu Dhabi will need to wear a GPS bracelet for the initial 14-days. The Department of Health of Abu Dhabi has launched a new mobile app, “Stay Home,” to ensure that people asked to self-quarantine are following the quarantine requirements properly. Travellers must download the ALHOSN UAE app before travelling to Abu Dhabi.

  • Dubai: All travellers will need to download and register a Smart App, COVID-19 DXB.

  • Sharjah: Citizens and residents must download the Al Hosn app during the quarantine period.

Airline restrictions

  • Moderate

  • Masks are required.

  • Commercial flights are operating to and from the United Arab Emirates.

Border restrictions

  • Moderate

  • The border with Oman has reopened.

  • Air, sea, and land borders with Qatar have reopened.

  • Cruise ships are not allowed to dock at the ports.

Curfew restrictions

  • Minimal

  • There is no nationwide curfew in place at this time.

Internal travel restrictions

  • Moderate

  • 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 certificate issued within 48 hours or a negative DPI test result within 24 hours. People who have been vaccinated (those who have an active status, letter ‘E’ or gold star on the Alhosn app) are exempt from this requirement.

  • Residents in Abu Dhabi are allowed to travel outside of the emirate for 48 hours. All travellers must have a COVID-19 test performed before departure. Residents travelling to other emirates for more than 48 hours will need to take another test on return to Abu Dhabi.

  • Public bus services are operating in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain City, and Al Dhafra regions.

  • Dubai has resumed its inter-city bus services to Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman. Bus services with Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are expected to resume soon.

  • Ferry services between Saadiyat and Ras Ghurab Islands remain suspended.

  • On Dalma Island, ferry services will operate from Dalma at 07:00 (local time) and from Jebel Al Dhanna Port at 16:00, daily except for Thursdays and Saturdays. There will be two services from Dalma at 07:00 and 13:30, and from Jebel Al Dhanna Port at 10:00 and 16:00 on Thursdays and Saturdays.

  • Tram services have resumed.

  • Ferry, water taxis, as well as marine transportations are operating.

*Non-essential shops open? *

  • Yes

  • Shopping malls are open at a reduced capacity. Retail stores are open.

  • Abu Dhabi: Coffee shops, licensed food outlets, hospitality, and catering services both in and outside malls may operate at a limited capacity.

*Accommodations open? *

  • Yes

  • Social distancing and the wearing of face masks are mandatory when away from home. This also applies to visitors staying in hotels when they are not in their rooms.

*Restaurants open? *

  • Yes

  • Abu Dhabi: Restaurants may operate at a limited capacity.

  • Dubai: Restaurants must be closed by 01:00 (local time).

*Bars and cafes open? *

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Abu Dhabi: Cafes may operate at a limited capacity.

  • Dubai: Bars are closed. Cafes must be closed by 01:00 (local time).

*Beaches and tourism sites open? *

  • Yes with exceptions

  • Most public beaches, and parks will remain closed until further notice.

  • Abu Dhabi: Parks and beaches are open in Abu Dhabi with a limited capacity. All social distancing measures should be followed.

  • Dubai: Grand parks (Mushrif, Al Mamzar, Dubai Creek, Al Safa, and Zabeel) are open from 08:00 to 11:00 (local time). Beaches are open.

*Museums and heritage sites open? *

  • Yes

  • Abu Dhabi: Museums are allowed to reopen with limited capacity.

*Personal care services open? *

  • Yes

  • Most non-essential services are allowed to resume.

*Places of worship open? *

  • Yes

  • Mosques, churches, and temples are allowed to resume at reduced capacity. People below age 12 and above 60 who have a contact history with COVID-19 infected people or those with any symptoms of COVID-19 will be denied entry into the mosques.

  • Abu Dhabi: St Joseph's Cathedral in Abu Dhabi has reopened. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Fujairah’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and the Founder's Memorial have reopened. Visitors should book online. All places of worship for non-Muslims are allowed to resume services at a limited capacity while maintaining social distancing protocols.

*Events allowed? *

  • Yes

  • Abu Dhabi authorities have announced the following measures for the community sports events such as cycling, running, open-water swimming, triathlon, and marine: a) Participants must register through the sports council’s websites. b) Anyone below age 12 and above 60 will not be allowed to participate. c) No spectators will be allowed. d) All participants must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate. Temperature screenings will also be done. e) Wearing of masks and gloves by the participants is mandatory. f) All people attending sports events will need to follow social distancing protocols.

  • Gatherings at marriage ceremonies and family gatherings in Abu Dhabi are limited to 10 people. Twenty people will be allowed at funerals and mourning services.

  • In Sharjah, only 20 people will be allowed at any social event at home. Attendees must maintain a distance of four metres from others.

*Masks required in public? *

  • Yes

  • Face coverings are mandatory for all people in public places. Anyone violating the rules could be subject to fines. Social distancing is required.

  • Dubai: People in Dubai may apply to the authorities through www.dxbpermit.gov.ae. for an exemption from the mandatory rule to wear a face covering.

Other

  • Employees in all federal departments and ministries must have a PCR test every 14 days at their expense.

  • Most schools have reopened.

  • Companies are allowed to resume services with reduced staff.

  • Most cinemas, gyms, and playgrounds will remain closed until further notice.

  • Government offices reopened. Pregnant women, elderly persons, or those under medical treatment are asked to work from home.

  • Abu Dhabi: a) Shopping malls are open with limited capacity. Gyms, indoor and outdoor sports, such as cricket, horse riding, and cycling are permitted for people between the ages of 12 to 60. b) Gatherings at funerals should not exceed 50 people. c) Cinemas located in shopping malls are open d) Students, teachers, and any other staff must present a negative COVID-19 test certificate prior to starting school next term e) Shisha services have resumed in all licensed restaurants, cafes and tourist service facilities across Abu Dhabi.

  • Dubai: a) A limited number of spectators are allowed at Dubai sports b) Shisha serving centres and smoking areas are open. All social distancing measures should be followed. c) Residential areas and lake gardens are also allowed to reopen from 08:00 to 23:59 (local time). d) Wedding receptions can resume in Dubai. e) Students and staff returning to educational institutes in Dubai after travelling abroad will need to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within the last 48-hours prior to their joining. Anyone without the test certificate will need to use distance learning for 14 days. Students can resume on-site learning if they provide a negative PCR test certificate.

  • Sharjah: Cinemas, entertainment centres, auction houses, fitness facilities, and valet services are open with limited capacity and social distancing protocols.

  • Ajman: Shisha serving centres and smoking areas have reopened.

Advice For Travellers

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.