Travel Guidelines for UAE Residents and Expatriates Looking to Travel Abroad

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Last updated 28 October 2020

The month of March saw the United Arab Emirates closing their borders and barring international flights altogether. Consequently, many looking to fly overseas for the Eid al Fitr holiday had to abandon their international excursion plans and opt for a closer to home hotel staycations instead.

However, starting from June 23, international travel is once again on the table for Emiratis looking to spend the remainder of their summer overseas. The UAE government has released a set of guidelines detailing the prerequisites and protocols all residents and expatriates must adhere to prior to departure as well as upon return.

The following are detailed explanations on how Emiratis may acquire the necessary permits to travel abroad.

Destination categories

Earlier in June, UAE residents were permitted to travel only to certain countries, divided into 3 categories: low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk. Each category was reserved for particular purposes.

However, per July 4, all residents are now allowed to travel without any particular destination restriction, provided they adhere to strict health guidelines and requirements.

Please note that residents above 70 years of age and those with chronic diseases are still prohibited from traveling abroad.

International travel guidelines and protocols for UAE citizens and expatriates

All Emiratis and expatriates looking to travel abroad must comply with the guidelines outlined by UAE authorities. Among others, these include pre-registration, health check-ups and self-imposed quarantine.   

Prior to departure

1. Register yourself for Twajudi services (for Emiratis only)
2. Passengers will need to do PCR tests only if it is mandated by the country they are travelling to. 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.
3. You must obtain a valid international medical insurance covering your country of destination
4. Pledge to follow guidelines and precautions at the airport and in the aircraft.
5. Pledge to not visit other countries outside of the ones applied to as well as to commit to your upon-return quarantine by filling out the required individual health and accountability form

At your destination

1. Adhere to the host country’s coronavirus safety measures and protocols
2. If you experience health problems, ensure to get proper medical help by making use of your international medical insurance
3. If you tested positive for coronavirus at the country of destination, immediately notify the UAE embassy/consulate

Upon your return

Depending on your UAE visa, you need to apply to either the GDRFA or ICA for approval to return. The following entry rules apply to UAE residents travelling from these countries:

Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States (New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle)

• UAE residents have the option to present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test before departure or take the COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
• The certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.
• If you are taking a test before you depart, you must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
• If you are transiting in Dubai from the countries listed above, you do not need to present a COVID‑19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by your final destination.

The following entry rules apply to UAE residents travelling from these countries:

Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United States (California, Florida, Texas), Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

• Residents must take two COVID‑19 PCR tests: one before departure with a validity of 96 hours from the date of the test, and a second test upon arrival in Dubai.
• The certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.
• You must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
• If you are transiting in Dubai from the countries listed directly above, you must have a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test, as well as any requirements for your final destination.

Test exemptions:

• Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from this test.
• 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 or Bangladesh, you must get your certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories document to be accepted on the flight.

At check‑in

• All travellers to Dubai, including passengers with a connecting flight, must complete this health declaration form and give it to the staff at check‑in. You can download it now and bring it to the airport with you, or you can complete it at check‑in.

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 for either iOS or Android