Dubai Updates Entry Requirements

New entry requirements are in operation at Dubai’s two international airports, Dubai International Airport (DBX) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

All UAE residents, GCC citizens, and visitors will need a pre-departure PCR test, regardless of the country they are traveling from.

PCR tests must be administered within 72 hours of passengers’ first embarkation point on their journey to Dubai.

Negative COVID-19 test results must be printed in English or Arabic.

Children under the age of 12 and individuals with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from the PCR requirement.

UAE nationals are not required to take a PCR test prior to arrival but will be tested on arrival.

Spouses and children of UAE nationals and domestic workers sponsors by UAE nationals are also exempt from the pre-departure PCR if they are accompanied by the UAE national.

A pre-travel negative PCR result and a second PCR test on arrival are required for passengers traveling from the following countries:

Visa holders and those with permission from a UAE authority may enter Dubai from the countries below:

• Bangladesh
• India
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Liberia
• Namibia
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sierra Leone
• Sri Lanka
• Zambia
• Indonesia
• Afghanistan (no approval is required from the ICA or GDRFA)
• Sudan

These passengers must:

• Hold a QR code approval granted by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship approval (ICA) or approval granted by GDRFA
• Present a negative COVID-19 test result with a QR code received within 48 hours of their departure to Dubai. Passengers from Indonesia are required to do so within 72 hours
• Have a negative Rapid PCR test result with a QR code based on molecular diagnostic testing intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid for SARS-COV-2 viral RNA that has been conducted 6 hours prior to their last point of departure. (With the exception of Indonesia)
• Must undertake a second PCR test upon arrival in Dubai

Transiting passengers

Passengers transiting Dubai don’t require a negative pre-travel PCR result unless it’s mandated by their final destination.

However, passengers traveling from the restricted countries below must adhere to different protocols:

• Bangladesh
• India
• Liberia
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sierra Leone
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan

These transiting passengers must:

• Obtain necessary entry permission/approval from their final destination
• Have a valid negative COVID-19 test result that includes a QR code issued within 72 hours

Transit passengers arriving from the following countries must adhere to protocols listed below:

• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Zambia

These transiting passengers must:

• Have a valid negative COVID-19 test result that includes a QR code issued within 72 hours
• Have a negative Rapid PCR test result with a QR code based on molecular diagnostic testing intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid for SARS-COV-2 viral RNA that has been conducted 6 hours prior to their last point of departure

Passengers from the following counties or who have visited the following countries within the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter to stay or to transit:

• Botswana
• Eswatini
• Lesotho
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe
• Congo-Brazzaville
• Congo-Kinshasa
• Kenya
• Ethiopia
• Nigeria
• Tanzania
• Angola
• Guinea
• Rwanda
• Uganda
• Ghana

Crew 

Crew arriving from non-restricted destinations:

• May be checked for symptoms after leaving the aircraft
• Do not require a PCR test unless they are showing symptoms
• Must quarantine at their accommodation until their next flight
• Quarantine exceptions for crew carrying a valid negative PCR test result or crew originating from Dubai International Airport

Crew arriving from restricted destinations:

• Must have a PCR test with 48-hour validity and a PCR test will be conducted on arrival
• Self-isolate at an airside/transit hotel or airline assigned hotel until their next flight

Crew arriving from suspended destinations:

• Cargo crew must self-isolate at transit hotel (DIH) and no PCR is required
• Cargo crew must self-isolate at Aloft Dubai South for operations to DWC and present a 48-hour PCR and undertake a PCR on arrival
• FBO/Private jet crew must self-isolate in transit hotel (DIH) for operations to DXB and don’t require a PCR.
• FBO/ Private jet crew must self-isolate at Aloft Dubai South for operations to DWC and present a 48-hour PCR and undertake a PCR on arrival

For support with your flight operations to Dubai, contact UAS