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Updated 20 August 2021
The UAE announces a special category of residents permitted entry to travellers from six banned countries provided they have obtained pre-entry approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and, if they’re residing in Dubai, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
A special allowance has been granted to fully vaccinated residents inoculated in the UAE, health workers, humanitarian cases, and those employed in federal and local government agencies.
As for the countries where stranded residents may take advantage of this new exemption, they are India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uganda.
Table of Contents
India
Travellers from India with valid UAE residence visas must have already been fully vaccinated in the UAE. They must have received the second vaccine dose at least 14 days before travel and carry a vaccine certificate.
They must also hold a printed negative result from a PCR test taken in a lab authorised by the government of India complete with a QR code. The test must be taken no later than 48 hours from the time of departure. Additionally, travellers must have obtained prior approval from the ICA. If they reside in Dubai, they will also need another pre-entry approval from GDRFA.
Rapid COVID tests will be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE. The rapid PCR test must be conducted at the departure airport within six hours prior to departure.
Nepal
Travellers from Nepal with valid UAE residence visas must have already been fully vaccinated in the UAE. They must have received the second vaccine dose at least 14 days before travel and carry a vaccine certificate.
They must also hold a negative result from a PCR test complete with a QR code. The test must be taken no later than 48 hours from the time of departure. Additionally, travellers must have obtained prior approval from the ICA. If they reside in Dubai, they will also need another pre-entry approval from GDRFA.
Rapid COVID tests will be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE. The rapid PCR test must be conducted at the departure airport within six hours prior to departure.
Nigeria
Travellers from Nigeria with valid UAE residence visas must first obtain and present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate complete with a QR code from one of the authorized laboratories in Nigeria within 48 hours from the time of departure.
They must also have already been fully vaccinated in the UAE with the second vaccine dose administered at least 14 days before travel. They will need to carry a vaccine certificate. Additionally, travellers must have obtained prior approval from the ICA. If they reside in Dubai, they will also need another pre-entry approval from GDRFA.
Rapid COVID tests will be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE. The rapid PCR test must be conducted at the departure airport within six hours prior to departure.
Pakistan
Travellers from Pakistan with valid UAE residence visas must have already been fully vaccinated in the UAE. They must have received the second vaccine dose at least 14 days before travel and carry a vaccine certificate.
They must also hold a printed negative result from a PCR test taken in a Pakistan Government Approved Lab complete with a QR code. The test must be taken no later than 48 hours from the time of departure. Additionally, travellers must have obtained prior approval from the ICA. If they reside in Dubai, they will also need another pre-entry approval from GDRFA.
Rapid COVID tests will be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE. The rapid PCR test must be conducted at the departure airport within six hours prior to departure.
Sri Lanka
Travellers from Sri Lanka with valid UAE residence visas must have already been fully vaccinated in the UAE. They must have received the second vaccine dose at least 14 days before travel and carry a vaccine certificate.
They must also hold a negative result from a PCR test complete with a QR code. The test must be taken no later than 48 hours from the time of departure. Additionally, travellers must have obtained prior approval from the ICA. If they reside in Dubai, they will also need another pre-entry approval from GDRFA.
Rapid COVID tests will be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE. The rapid PCR test must be conducted at the departure airport within six hours prior to departure.
Uganda
Travellers from Uganda with valid UAE residence visas must have already been fully vaccinated in the UAE. They must have received the second vaccine dose at least 14 days before travel and carry a vaccine certificate.
They must also hold a negative result from a PCR test taken at an approved facility complete with a QR code. The test must be taken no later than 48 hours from the time of departure. Additionally, travellers must have obtained prior approval from the ICA. If they reside in Dubai, they will also need another pre-entry approval from GDRFA.
Rapid COVID tests will be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE. The rapid PCR test must be conducted at the departure airport within six hours prior to departure.
