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Updated 13 August 2021

The United Arab Emirates boasts one of the most robust roll-outs of the COVID vaccination. Around 70% of the country’s population has been fully vaccinated and millions more are in line to get their final dose.

The UAE now looks forward to reopening its gates for outbound travel as well as easing restrictions for incoming vaccinated passengers. Read on to know about the latest UAE guidelines for vaccinated travellers.

What are vaccinated Emiratis allowed to do?

Abu Dhabi

Entry to public places

The emirate announced on 28 June that, effective from 20 August 2021, entry to certain public places will be reserved for only vaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated individuals will be allowed to enter only if they have vaccination exemption received through the approved process and registered on the AlHosn app, or if they’re aged 15 and under.

The first phase covers: shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, and all other retail outlets (whether or not in a shopping center, except pharmacies and supermarkets), gyms, recreational facilities and sporting activities, health clubs, resorts, museums, cultural centers and theme parks, as well as universities, institutes, public and private schools and children’s nurseries.

School only for vaccinated students

Starting August 20, students aged 16 and above must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be allowed entry to schools in Abu Dhabi.

The policies mean all pupils aged 16 and above, as well as staff and all visitors, must be fully vaccinated with a UAE approved vaccine to access the school premises, whether within or outside school hours. The vaccinations must be verified on the Alhosn app prior to returning to school at the start of the academic year, as announced by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

The decision doesn’t apply to those who are unvaccinated because of an exemption, nor to children aged 15 and below, the media office added.

Relaxation in isolation

Moreover, if you’ve come into contact with a COVID-19 patient, vaccinated Emiratis need to home quarantine only for 5 days, whereas unvaccinated citizens have to quarantine for 10 days.

Dubai

In Dubai, clubs, bars, sports venues and live events only allow vaccinated guests. Their vaccination certificates are verified at the gates on the AlHosn app.

It is likely that such restrictions on unimmunized citizens will be extended to the other Emirates as well in the future.

 

Quarantine allowances for vaccinated travellers

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has granted relaxations in the quarantine and testing requirements to vaccinated travellers looking to fly to the Emirate.

If you’re a fully vaccinated passenger coming to Abu Dhabi from a country on the green list, you’re exempted not only from the quarantine, but also from the PCR test to be taken on day 12 of arrival.

If you’re a fully vaccinated passenger coming to Abu Dhabi from a country not on the green list, you’ll have still to quarantine, but only for 5 days (as opposed to 10 days for unvaccinated passengers).

 

Dubai

Dubai hasn’t announced any relaxations for vaccinated arrivals so far.

However, it exempts vaccinated passengers from the travel ban on India (other than people who fall in certain categories).

Entry from banned countries

Dubai, which had previously barred all passengers from the COVID-19 hotspots of India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uganda has now eased its restrictions for vaccinated travellers , 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).

Going into effect August 5, a special allowance has been granted to fully vaccinated residents in the UAE, health workers, humanitarian cases, and those employed in federal and local government agencies.

The UAE has also announced the approval of COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued abroad, allowing passengers with approved vaccines to smoothly complete their travel procedures to Dubai.This is specific to travel to Dubai and not other emirates. The vaccination certificates registration is optional for passengers wishing to enjoy the benefits of being fully vaccinated by vaccines approved in the UAE.

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.

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 also be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE.

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.

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 also be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE.

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. 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 also be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE.

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.

They must also hold a printed negative result from a PCR test taken in a Pakistan Government Approved Labcomplete 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 also be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE.

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.

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 also be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE.

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.

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 also be conducted prior to boarding the flight and upon arrival in the UAE.

 

UAE’s vaccine bubble

In the context of international travel, a vaccine bubble allows fully vaccinated travellers to travel and visit certain destinations without being subjected to on-arrival quarantine. It’s essentially a travel bubble with the added requirement of vaccination against COVID-19 effectively granting free movement to travellers.

Till date, the UAE has established vaccine bubbles with Bahrain, Greece, Seychelles, and Serbia.

Bahrain – the UAE

Bahrain and the UAE have established a vaccine bubble allowing vaccinated travellers from both countries to travel between them starting from the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Vaccinated travelers will be exempted from having to serve quarantine upon arrival but will still have to abide by the prevailing precautionary measures at the destination.

To verify their vaccination status, travellers will be required to show their credentials through the approved applications or certificates issued by both countries. The AlHosn app in the UAE and the BeAware app in Bahrain.

Greece, Seychelles, Serbia – the UAE

The UAE has set up vaccine bubbles with Greece, Seychelles, and Serbia. The safe travel bubbles are meant for travellers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The arrangement signifies the mutual recognition of vaccination certificates issued by their respective health authorities and will allow travellers to enjoy trips without managed isolation.

The Maldives – the UAE

A possible vaccine bubble between the UAE and the Maldives is purportedly in the works. Although no official dates have been revealed, it is hoped that the travel corridor will be established in early June. Fully vaccinated travellers from both countries should be able to take advantage of the arrangement once it’s been officially implemented. We will keep this section updated as new details emerge.

Kuwait – the UAE

Kuwait and the UAE are in talks of establishing a bilateral vaccine bubble that will allow a “safe” travel passage between the two countries for people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine, for ease of movement between the two countries. As of yet, no details regarding dates or timeline have emerged.