30/06/2021
The United Arab Emirates has so far been successfully fighting its war against the coronavirus pandemic. numerous testing centers, rigorous mass screenings, and enforcement of other stringent quarantine measurements have proven to be effective today in Dubai and other Emirates.
But what about COVID tests at airports in UAE? Do the guidelines require you to take a COVID test on arrival? Read along to find out all you need to know about COVID tests in Dubai and the UAE.
COVID Testing at Dubai Airport
Dubai has been regularly updating its entry regulations and now requires tourists from certain countries to undergo COVID testing at the airport on arrival in the UAE.
Travellers must download the COVID-19 DXB Smart App on iOS or Android.
Countries required to take COVID test at the airport
All passengers arriving in Dubai from any point of origin (GCC countries included) must hold a negative COVID 19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
Passengers arriving in Dubai from the following countries will be required to take another PCR test on arrival at Dubai International airport. If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the test result.
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Passengers transiting through Dubai from the following countries are required to present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, as well as to follow any requirements mandated by their final destination.
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Poland, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Test exemptions
UAE nationals are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 PCR test before departing to Dubai. They will be tested on arrival in Dubai.
Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from taking a COVID‑19 PCR test.
Moderate or severe disability includes neurological disorders and intellectual or developmental disabilities. For example: Acute spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Ataxia, Autism spectrum, Bell’s palsy, Brain tumours, Cerebral aneurysm, Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy and seizures
All other passengers, including those who are visually impaired, hearing impaired or physically challenged must hold a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate as per the requirements.
There may be specific test exemptions in your country of origin and final destination. Please check the requirements before you travel.
COVID Testing at Abu Dhabi Airport
The latest rules specify that vaccinated travellers departing from green countries are required to take a PCR test on arrival and on day six but will not be subjected to quarantine. Vaccinated travellers departing from other countries outside of the green list are required to take a PCR test on arrival followed by a five-day quarantine. They must also take another PCR test on day four from arrival to Abu Dhabi.
The quarantine rules apply to all vaccinated UAE citizens and residents in the emirate of Abu Dhabi who received their second vaccine dose at least 28 days earlier as documented in the vaccine report on the Alhosn app.
Abu Dhabi green list of countries is as follows:
Australia
Bhutan
Brunei
China
Cuba
Greenland
Hong Kong (SAR)
Iceland
Israel
Japan
Mauritius
Morocco
New Zealand
Portugal
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Korea
Switzerland
Taiwan (ROC)
Tajikistan
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan
Meanwhile, non-vaccinated citizens and residents of Abu Dhabi arriving from green countries are required to take a PCR test on arrival without the need to quarantine followed by two PCR test requirements on days six and 12.
Travellers arriving from countries outside of the list must take a PCR test on arrival, quarantine for ten days and take another PCR test on day eight.
COVID Testing at Ras al Khaimah Airport
Travellers to Ras al Khaimah (RAK) must take a COVID-19 PCR test within 96 hours of the flight departure time from approved medical facilities. UAE Nationals and children below 12 years of age are exempt from the test.
Travellers arriving from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sudan, Egypt, Lebanon and India must carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test containing a functioning QR code. The negative COVID-19 PCR test result must be printed as travellers will be required to present the physical copy of the report at the check-in counter.
Once travellers have arrived in RAK, they are required to download the Alhosn app, take another covid-19 PCR test and remain in quarantine until the test results have been known. A negative test result will mean the end of quarantine, while those testing positive will have to isolate themselves as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
COVID Testing at Sharjah Airport
Expatriate residents and visitors to the UAE are required to present a negative PCR test result at the departure airport. As per the latest rules, the test results must have been issued within 72 hours before departing to Sharjah.
Upon arrival, residents and visitors must take another RT-PCR test at Sharjah’s airport and remain in quarantine until the results have been known. A positive result means 14-day isolation and compliance with the instructions provided by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
