COVID-19 : Passenger procedures for travelling

Passenger procedures for travelling to and from Dubai have recently changed. Here's what you need to know depending on whether you're a visitor travelling to Dubai or a citizen or resident travelling abroad or returning to Dubai.


Procedures for Dubai residents travelling abroad

Before booking your flight:
  • Check the IATA Travel Centre website to understand what restrictions are in place at your destination of travel.
  • Make sure you can obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued in your destination country before you return. You must be able to present a printed copy of your negative COVID-19 PCR test result in English or Arabic at check-in to be accepted for travel. Soft copies on mobile phones will not be accepted.
  • All passengers travelling to Dubai, and connecting in Dubai, must hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. This test result must be issued no more than 96 hours prior to departure. Children under the age of 12 and passengers with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from testing.
  • If the validity period of your test result is different in the country you are departing from or travelling to, you should follow the requirement which is most restrictive.
  • You should get your test result from a UAE government approved laboratory or one of the laboratories listed here. Without a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result in English or Arabic, you will not be accepted for travel.
  • Ensure you have adequate international health insurance coverage.

Before travelling to the European Union or United Kingdom from Dubai:
  • If you are travelling to the European Union or United Kingdom from Dubai, you must be able to present a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to departure.

Before travelling back to Dubai:
  • Print and complete a health declaration form stating you are fit to travel and have health insurance valid in the UAE. This form needs to be handed over when checking in for any flight to Dubai.
  • Print and complete an undertaking form acknowledging that you will download the COVID19 - DXB Smart App, self-quarantine as required and follow measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This form needs to be handed over to the Dubai Health Authority on arrival back in Dubai.
  • Download the COVID19 - DXB Smart App (from Apple App Store or from Google Play Store) and register with the Dubai Health Authority prior to arrival back in Dubai.


Procedures for Dubai residents returning to Dubai

Before booking your flight:
  • If your UAE resident visa expired before 01 March 2020, you will not be allowed to enter the UAE. You must apply for a new visa.
  • If your UAE resident visa expired after 01 March 2020, you will be allowed to enter the UAE until 31 December 2020. You will need to have your visa validated within 30 days of entry.
  • If you hold a UAE resident visa and have stayed outside of the country for more than 180 days, you will be allowed to enter the UAE.
  • Make sure you can obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued in the country from which you are returning. You must be able to present a printed copy of your negative COVID-19 PCR test result in English or Arabic at check-in to be accepted for travel. Soft copies on mobile phones will not be accepted.
  • All passengers travelling to Dubai, and connecting in Dubai, must hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. This test result must be issued no more than 96 hours prior to departure. Children under the age of 12 and passengers with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from testing.
  • If the validity period of your test result is different in the country you are departing from or travelling to, you should follow the requirement which is most restrictive.
  • You should get your test result from a UAE government approved laboratory or one of the laboratories listed here. Without a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result in English or Arabic, you will not be accepted for travel.

Before travelling:
  • Print and complete a health declaration form stating you are fit to travel and have health insurance valid in the UAE. This form needs to be handed over when checking in for any flight to Dubai.
  • Print and complete an undertaking form acknowledging that you will download the COVID19 - DXB Smart App, self-quarantine as required and follow measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This form needs to be handed over to the Dubai Health Authority on arrival in Dubai.
  • Download the COVID19 - DXB Smart App (from Apple App Store or from Google Play Store) and register with the Dubai Health Authority prior to arrival in Dubai.


Procedures for visitors travelling to Dubai

Before booking your flight:
  • Check you can meet any visa requirements for the UAE.
  • Make sure you can obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued in the country from which you are travelling. You must be able to present a printed copy of your negative COVID-19 PCR test result in English or Arabic at check-in to be accepted for travel. Soft copies on mobile phones will not be accepted.
  • All passengers travelling to Dubai, and connecting in Dubai, must hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. This test result must be issued no more than 96 hours prior to departure. Children under the age of 12 and passengers with moderate to severe disabilities are exempt from testing.
  • If the validity period of your test result is different in the country you are departing from or travelling to, you should follow the requirement which is most restrictive.
  • You should get your test result from a UAE government approved laboratory or one of the laboratories listed here. Without a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result in English or Arabic, you will not be accepted for travel.
  • Ensure you have adequate international health insurance coverage.

Before travelling to Dubai:
  • Print and complete a health declaration form stating you are fit to travel and have health insurance valid in the UAE. This form needs to be handed over when checking in for any flight to Dubai.
  • Print and complete an undertaking form acknowledging that you will download the COVID19 - DXB Smart App, self-quarantine as required and follow measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This form needs to be handed over to the Dubai Health Authority on arrival in Dubai.
  • Download the COVID19 - DXB Smart App (from Apple App Store or from Google Play Store) and register with the Dubai Health Authority prior to arrival in Dubai.


All passengers arriving in Dubai

  • You must take a PCR test on arrival in Dubai if your journey originated in one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Montenegro, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Somaliland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United States (any port in California, Florida or Texas) or Uzbekistan.
  • If you are required to take a PCR test because your journey originated in one the countries listed above, you will need to quarantine until you receive your results. If you test positive for COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days.
  • Make sure you have downloaded the COVID19 - DXB Smart App (from Apple App Store or from Google Play Store) and registered with the Dubai Health Authority.

Don't forget: You will need to comply with all the precautionary COVID-19 measures in place in Dubai, including wearing a mask, observing social distancing and washing your hands regularly.