Dubai was one of the first cities in the world to reopened for tourism making the most accessible destination during the pandemic. Dubai is a city within the UAE and the most popular destination among tourists.
To keep the bustling city safe from the spread, Emirates Airline has taken the necessary step and announced several changes to COVID-19 PCR testing requirements for passengers heading to Dubai.
As per the latest update, pre-travel COVID-19 test is not mandatory for UAE residents and transiting passengers from about 60 countries, as well as tourists traveling from Germany and the UK. The residents of the UAE now have the option of doing the test on arrival.
However, Pre-travel testing and testing on arrival are still mandated for passengers traveling from several countries whether they are UAE residents, transiting passengers or tourist.
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COVID-19 Requirement for Passengers Arriving in Dubai
Effective January 31st, 2021, all passengers traveling to Dubai from mentioned countries will need to follow below COVID-19 Entry Requirement for traveling to Dubai. Countries included,
Afghanistan, Argentina, Angola, Brazil, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Eritrea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Georgia, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, India, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Myanmar, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Pakistan, Russia, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Somaliland, Slovakia, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- UAE’s residents are excluded from the COVID-19 Entry Requirement but will be entitled to carry a PCR test upon arrival at Dubai airport
- Passengers transiting through Dubai from below countries are required to carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before the date of departure, as well as to follow any COVID-19 Entry Requirement mandated by their final destination
- Children(under 12 years) and passengers with moderate or severe disabilities are exempted from the COVID-19 Entry Requirement
- Passengers arriving in Dubai from below mentioned countries will be required to conduct another PCR test upon arrival at Dubai International Airport
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COVID-19 Entry Requirement for Dubai by Country
Effective January 31st, 2021, all passengers traveling to Dubai from mentioned countries will need to follow below COVID-19 Entry Requirement for tourists traveling to Dubai. Countries included,
Armenia, Algeria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Kirgizstan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Maldives Islands, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Somalia, Spain, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, USA
- Tourists must submit a valid negative COVID‐19 PCR test certificate for a test carried out not more than 96 hours before departure
- Passenger must need to present PCR test certificate. Other test certificates, including antibody tests and home test kits, are not accepted at Dubai Airport
- If you are taking a test before you leave, you must carry an official, photocopied certificate in English or Arabic for entering onboard (SMS/ digital certificates are not accepted)
- Passengers transiting through Dubai and have booked a hotel outside the airport must submit a valid negative COVID‐19 PCR test certificate for a test carried out no more than 96 hours before departure
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COVID-19 Entry Requirement for Passengers Transiting Through Dubai
Afghanistan, Argentina, Angola, Brazil(effective January 31st, 2021), Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Eritrea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Georgia, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, India, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Myanmar, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Pakistan, Russia, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Somaliland, Slovakia, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
- Tourists must conduct the COVID‐19 PCR tests twice: one 96 hours prior to departure, and a second test on arrival in Dubai
- The Test certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Antibody tests or home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai
- You must bring a printed certificate in English or Arabic. SMS or digital document are not accepted
- Passengers transiting via Dubai are not required to present a COVID-19 PCR test unless it is mandated by your country of origin or final destination
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COVID-19 Entry Requirement on Arrival
- The passenger may ask to take another COVID-19 PCR test on arrival. If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel until you receive the test result
- If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the guidelines of the Dubai Health Authority
- Passengers must also download the COVID19 – DXB Smart App
Tourists departing from Dubai
- Passengers will need to take a PCR test only if it is mandated by the destination they are travelling to
- You may need to take a COVID‐19 PCR test before you leave or another specific type of COVID‐19 test specified by your destination.
