Guidelines that apply to all expatriate residents

These guidelines issued by National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship apply to all expatriate residents returning to the UAE through any of the UAE’s airports. Passengers must:

• take the COVID-19 test at a laboratory accredited by the UAE or their respective governments within 96 hours before take-off and
• present the negative result or not be allowed to board the flight.

All costs for quarantining and medical assistance, whether at home or in another designated facility will be at the cost of the individual primarily. In certain circumstances, employers of the returning individuals shall bear all costs related to the medical examination and quarantine.

Learn more about quarantine guidelines for travellers to the UAE.

Travelling to Abu Dhabi

Only UAE nationals, residents with a valid residence visa, and those who are eligible for a visa on arrival can enter the UAE through Abu Dhabi’s airports. As of November 2020, all other types of visas are suspended.

If you are travelling to Abu Dhabi, you must follow these additional rules:

• undergo thermal screening and another COVID-19 PCR testing on arrival at Abu Dhabi airport. You will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days and wear a medically approved wristband for the duration of your quarantine. The wristband will be provided by the authorities at Abu Dhabi Airport after you clear immigration.
• download the Al HOSN app on your mobile phones to allow authorities to monitor your health while you are in quarantine. 
• re-do the COVID-19 PCR test on day 12 of quarantine. Subject to a negative test result, the wristband will then be removed on day 14. 

Children under 12 years and people with severe and moderate disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing before departure.

Although you no longer need approval from Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) to enter the UAE, you are recommended to visit uaeentry.ica.gov.ae and submit your passport number and Emirates ID number to receive instant verification of your entry status.

Read more

• Flying to and from Abu Dhabi -- Etihad Airways
• Travel guidelines and regulations - Etihad Airways
• Quarantine guidelines for travellers to Abu Dhabi - U.ae portal.

Travelling to Dubai - rules as of 26 October 2020

Rules for Emirati nationals

If you are a citizen of the UAE, and coming through Dubai’s airport, you are exempt from the PCR test prior to departure, regardless of the country you are coming from. However, you will be tested on arrival in Dubai.

Rules for expatriate residents, tourists and those transiting through Dubai

For expatriate residents, tourists and those transiting through Dubai the need for taking the PCR test depends on the destination you are coming from. Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking the COVID-19 test. Refer to Emirates Airline and FlyDubai for details.

For passengers coming from:

• If you are an expatriate resident returning through Dubai’s airports from the above destinations, you have an option to either present a negative result of a COVID‑19 PCR test at the departure airport conducted within 96 hours before travelling to Dubai, or take the PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
• If you are a tourist coming to Dubai from the above destinations you must present a negative result of a PCR test at the departure airport. This test should have been conducted within 96 hours before travelling to Dubai. Passengers coming from the UK and Germany have the option to take a PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
• If you are transiting through Dubai from the above destinations, you do not need to present a negative PCR test result, unless the destination country requires so.

For passengers coming from:

• If you are an expatriate resident returning from the above destinations or a tourist coming from the above destinations, you must take two PCR tests; one before departure with a validity of 96 hours before travelling to Dubai, and a second PCR test upon arrival in Dubai.
• If you are transiting through Dubai after arriving from the above destinations, you must have a negative PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours before travelling to Dubai, and comply with other requirements as per your final destination.

Additional rules for expatriate residents

• If you hold Dubai residence visa, you must get an approval from GDRFA to return to Dubai, prior to travel.
• For others, you must visit uaeentry.ica.gov.ae, submit your passport number and Emirates ID number to receive instant verification of your entry status.

Some residents might be tested again on arrival at Dubai’s airport. If you are required to take another PCR test on arrival, you must remain in quarantine at your residence until you receive the test result. If the test result is positive, you must stay in isolation and follow the instructions of Dubai Health Authority. If the test result is negative, you do not need to quarantine yourself.

Related services

• Apply for return permit for resident outside UAE – GDRFA, Dubai
• Follow Dubai Media Office on Twitter
• Latest tweets about protocols for travel to Dubai

Rules that apply to all passengers arriving at or transiting through Dubai

• COVID-19 negative test certificate must be for a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. Dubai does not accept other forms of tests including antibody tests and home-testing kits.
• PCR certificates must be official and printed in English or Arabic. SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
• If you are flying from India, Pakistan or Bangladesh, you must get your PCR certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories.
• If you are flying from other countries, you can use either laboratories designated by Dubai Government or any other laboratories certified in your country.
• All travellers must complete a health declaration form (PDF, 500 KB).
• They must download COVID-19 DXB app available on App Store and Google Play.

Related links

• Check if you need a visa to come to Dubai and how to apply - VisitDubai.com
• Dubai Airports
• Travel requirements for Dubai - Emirates Airline
• Travel requirements by destination - Emirates Airline  
• COVID-19 information hub - Emirates Airline
• Travel requirements by country - FlyDubai.

Travelling to Sharjah – rules as of 23 September 2020

On 23 September 2020, Sharjah government announced new guidelines for travellers through the ports of Sharjah.

Requirements for the return of Sharjah’s expatriate residents

• You no longer need an approval from ICA to return to the UAE
• You must present a negative PCR test result before boarding; this test should have been conducted within 96 hours before the date of travel
• You must take another PCR test upon arrival at Sharjah’s port; if you test positive, you or your sponsor will bear the cost of isolation and medical expenses
• You need to download the Al HOSN app on your mobile phones to allow authorities to monitor your health while you are in quarantine.

Entry of visitors and tourists through Sharjah International Airport
If you are a tourist or a visitor, you are permitted to travel  through Sharjah ports provided you:

• have an international health insurance coverage
• present a negative PCR test result before boarding, this test should have been conducted within 96 hours before the date of travel
• take another PCR test upon arrival at Sharjah’s port
• fill a health disclosure form at Sharjah’s port
• quarantine yourself until the results of the PCR tests are released.

If you test positive, you or your sponsor must bear the cost of isolation and medical expenses.

Read more guidelines on safe travel.

For further information on travelling to the UAE, visit the following websites:

• Etihad Airways
• Emirates Airline
• Fly Dubai
• Air Arabia
• Abu Dhabi Airport
• Dubai Airports.

To summarise:

All expatriate residents returning to the UAE must present a negative result of a PCR test at the departure airport. This test should have been conducted within 96 hours before travelling to the UAE.

Expatriate residents returning to the 6 emirates other than Dubai,

• no longer need an approval from ICA to return to the UAE.

• However, you need to download the Al HOSN app on your mobile phones to allow authorities to monitor your health while you are in quarantine.

 Expatriate residents returning to Dubai, need approval from GDRFA and must download the COVID-19 DXB smart app available on App Store and Google Play.