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The United Arab Emirates is one of the most visited countries in the Middle East. Its tourism industry has boomed to a new level in the last decade. People from around the world visit this wonderful nation to explore its glamorous world and to dive deep into its cultural traditions and lifestyle. However, in the wake of the pandemic, several restrictions have been imposed by the government for tourists coming here. Let’s take a look at the travel restrictions and other tips to keep in mind before and during your journey to the UAE.
Travel Restrictions in the UAE
Who are not allowed to enter the UAE?
If you are having a valid passport and visa, you are good to be welcomed in the United Arab Emirates. However, due to the outburst of the virus, people with a positive PCR test report are not allowed to enter the country. If you are a citizen of the UAE, then you are exempted from presenting a PCR test at the time of your arrival. Though, you will have to go through the test once at the airport. Travellers coming from the United Kingdom and Germany are also not mandatorily required to present a negative test report. They have the privilege of taking a PCR test on arrival.
Before Travelling to the UAE
Before you are set off, there are certain things you must adhere to in order to have a smooth and happy journey apart from having a passport, visa and other basic documents. As the United Arab Emirates has put a number of measures to contain the virus, make sure you have undergone the Covid-19 test taken no more than 96 hours from your departure. All tourists are also required to have international health insurance with them.
This is completely mandatory whether you are travelling from, to or through the UAE. If you are transiting through Dubai, make sure to check with your airline about the requirement of the test report. You can also visit the official website of the Etihad and the Emirates to check in detail about the travel requirements.
While in the UAE
Once you have checked in to the glittering and dazzling world of the UAE, you are free to move around and explore places, though under certain limitations. The country is following strict Covid safety rules at all the major points of international departures, be it airports or land borders. Hence, quarantine is also in action for all the tourists coming from different countries.
But if you are travelling from the Green List destinations, then you have the privilege of not going for quarantine. The list of these destinations includes:
- China
- Iceland
- Bhutan
- Greenland
- Australia
- Brunei
- Hong Kong
- Mauritius
- Mongolia
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Saudi Arabia
If you are a resident of the UAE and are partaking in the National Vaccination Programme in Phase III, then you are exempt from quarantine.
- Visitors from all the other countries must quarantine themselves at home or a hotel for a period of 10 days.
- If you test positive upon arrival, the quarantine period increases to 14 days.
- All the expenses during isolation and treatment must be taken care of by travelers or sponsors.
- If you are coming from a high-risk country, then you will be quarantined under the supervision of the government officials
Other basic safety rules to follow while in the United Arab Emirates:
- Wear a mask all the time while exploring around in public places.
- Maintain social distancing.
- Download contact tracing apps to keep an update of your surroundings (AlHosn for Abu Dhabi and Covid-19 DXB for Dubai).
- Use sanitisers wherever necessary.
Other Travel Restrictions in the UAE
- PCR certificates must be either in English or Arabic and must have an official stamp (Handwritten certificates will not be accepted).
- All those residents of Dubai returning back are required to get ICA approvals.
- Violating quarantine rules would make you liable to a fine of about USD 13600. Hence, please avoid it.
- If you are travelling to Dubai via Abu Dhabi, make sure to have a valid Abu Dhabi tourist visa as the visa issued in Dubai will not be valid in Abu Dhabi.
Also Read: How To Pick The Right Travel Agency In Dubai?
