Is Dubai Open For Tourists? Can I Travel To Dubai Now? Are Borders & Airports Open?

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Updated 3 March 2022

Are there any travel restrictions put in place?

In line with the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority’s (NCEMA) announcement to scrap PCR testing requirement for fully vaccinated arrivals in the UAE, the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai has also scrapped the PCR testing requirement for fully vaccinated arrivals in the Emirate.

However, if requested passengers will have to undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai and self-quarantine until they receive a negative result. Passengers who test positive for COVID‑19 must follow the guidelines issued by the Dubai Health Authority.

Furthermore, as stated by the authorities, ‘close contacts’ of Covid-19 positive cases, who are not experiencing any Covid related symptoms are no longer required to undergo quarantine procedures in Dubai.

Are there airlines flying to Dubai now?

A search through Wego showed that there are currently numerous international flight schedules in operation to and from Dubai.

Airlines including Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia and Etihad Airways provide direct flight services to Dubai. Visitors from most of the countries are allowed to enter the UAE, provided they follow some additional rules given below.

Am I allowed to fly to Dubai now?

Yes, you are. After a year of stringent restrictions across its borders, Dubai is now easing its Covid-19 precautionary measures, in a step towards normalcy. To find out whether you’re eligible to visit Dubai, please continue to read through the article to learn more about the prerequisites and other requirements of visiting Dubai.

Visa requirements

As per the UAE government, the different types of visas issued in the UAE include the following:

• Business visa
• Tourist visa
• Retirement visa for UAE residents
• Transit visa
• Student visa
• Remote work visa
• Patient and Companion visa
• e-visa for GCC Residents

Depending on the purpose and duration of your travel and the country of departure, visa requirements may vary. Travellers who require a visa to visit Dubai are required to apply for one of the several types of visas that are being issued either online (electronic), from their nearest UAE Embassy or travel agent as applicable.

Vaccine requirements

• Printed or digital PCR test certificates or vaccination certificates are accepted in English or Arabic and must include a QR code. SMS certificates are not accepted.
• COVID‑19 PCR test or vaccination certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the departure point.
• COVID‑19 vaccination certificates without a QR code can be accepted for travel to Dubai as long as the vaccination certificate is issued by test centres/organisations recognised/approved by the national health authorities of the country.

Exemptions

• All UAE nationals returning to Dubai from any country are exempted from the pre-departure COVID‑19 PCR test requirements but must take a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival.
• Non-UAE nationals accompanying a first-degree UAE national family member and domestic workers accompanying a UAE national sponsor are also exempted from the pre-departure COVID‑19 PCR test requirements but must take a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival.
• Children below 12 years old.
• Passengers with moderate to severe disabilities:
  • 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 RT PCR test certificate as per the requirements.

Testing and quarantine requirements for all travellers to Dubai

Please note that all UAE residents can now travel to Dubai without GDRFA or ICA  approval.

Please note that Dubai has scrapped the PCR testing requirement for fully vaccinated arrivals in the Emirate. For both returning residents and visiting tourists, the following applies:

Passengers travelling to Dubai from all countries (GCC included) must fulfill any one of the requirements given below:

• Present a valid vaccination certificate(s) reflecting that the passenger is fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the WHO or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and includes a QR code
• Unvaccinated arrivals are required to present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours from the time of sample collection and issued by an approved health service provider with a QR code, or
• Present a valid medical certificate with a QR code issued by the relevant authorities that the passenger has recovered from COVID‑19 within one month from the date of recovery to the date of arrival

If requested, passengers must undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai and self-quarantine until they receive a negative result. Passengers who test positive for COVID‑19 will be required to follow the guidelines issued by the Dubai Health Authority.

Please note that printed or digital PCR test certificates or vaccination certificates are accepted in English or Arabic and must include a QR code. However, SMS certificates are not accepted.

Additionally, the COVID‑19 PCR test or vaccination certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the departure point. COVID‑19 vaccination certificates without a QR code can be accepted for travel to Dubai as long as the vaccination certificate is issued by test centers or organizations recognized and approved by the national health authorities of the country.

Travel guidelines for transit passengers

Transiting passengers are not required to present a COVID 19‑PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by their final destination.

Exemptions

The following categories of passengers are exempted from PCR test requirements:

• UAE nationals are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 PCR test before departing for Dubai. They must be tested on arrival in Dubai, irrespective of whether they are holding a valid negative COVID‑19 RT‑PCR certificate from the point of origin. This is also applicable for passengers accompanying the first-degree UAE nationals’ relative or domestic worker escorting a UAE national sponsor during travel.
• Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 RT‑PCR test.

Travel requirements for UAE Citizens to fly out of Dubai

Vaccine requirement

Will it be safe to travel to Dubai?

Yes, it is. Given a prominent fall in the number of Omicron cases in the country, the UAE has now eased their Covid-19 precautionary measures, in an effort to return back to normalcy. In line with the decision of the authorities in the UAE, Dubai has also eased its Covid-19 restrictions across the borders.

However, make sure to follow all the guidelines, and take enough precautionary measures against Covid-19 while visiting Dubai.

What are the things that are open right now in Dubai?

As a travel destination, Dubai is indeed open to visitors worldwide. Dubai also lifted its limited-capacity rules for hotels, meaning they can be booked to 100%. Mask-wearing is mandatory in all public indoor venues in Dubai. However, it is not compulsory in outdoor areas. While adhering to a two-meter distancing rule, masks can now be removed when doing exercise in public places, on beaches, and at poolsides, in hair salons, and in medical centres when being treated.