Guidance for entry to the United Arab Emirates, via any port was updated on 22 July 2020.
From 1 August 2020, The UAE has announced that a COVID-19 test will be mandatory for all inbound and transit passengers, including Emiratis, residents, and tourists, arriving via the country’s airports, irrespective of the countries they are coming from.
The decision to apply prior testing on all those coming to the country shall be applied as of 1st August without impingement on the mandatory testing measures that travellers have to follow upon arrival at the country’s airports.
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) July 22, 2020
ICA approval is still required for residents returning to the UAE. This must be applied for within 21 days of returning to the country.
Travelling through the UAE
According to a joint statement by the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation(MOFAIC) all passengers travelling through the country’s airports to the EU countries and the UK, as well as other countries that require a PCR test, have to get tested prior to boarding their respective planes.
The announcement is in line with the country’s efforts to protect the health and safety of its citizens and residents and reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Exemptions
Children under the age of 12 and those with severe and moderate disabilities will be exempted from the test requirement, which has 96 hours of validity from the date of testing.
You can read more about entry into Dubai on our essential travel planning information page.
Dubai re-opened it’s doors to international tourism on 7 July 2020 and most attractions, hotels and restaurants are re-opened. You can read more about the re-opening on Dubai here.