Before you travel
New requirement for all passengers arriving in Dubai from 31 January 2021
Tourists travelling to, from, and through Dubai
Dubai is open to tourists once again. Check back frequently for the latest information about COVID-19 travel and testing requirements for travelling to, from or connecting through Dubai.Last updated: 29 January 2021
From 31 January 2021, all passengers arriving into 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.
- UAE nationals are exempt from the above, but will be required to take a PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport.
- Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from the COVID‑19 PCR test
- Passengers arriving into Dubai from the below countries will be required to take another PCR test on arrival at Dubai International airport.
- Passengers transiting through Dubai from the below 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, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Passengers transiting through Dubai from all other countries do not need a PCR test unless required by their final destination.
COVID‑19 PCR test requirements for Dubai by country before 31 January 2021
The following entry rules apply to tourists travelling to Dubai from these countries and territories:
Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States
- Tourists must present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 96 hours before departure.
- The certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.
- If you are taking a test before you depart, you must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
- Passengers taking advantage of our Dubai Connect service who have booked a hotel outside the airport must present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 96 hours before departure.
The following entry rules apply to tourists travelling to Dubai from these countries and territories:
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil (effective 31st January 2021), Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Tourists must take two COVID‑19 PCR tests: one 96 hours prior to departure, and a second test upon arrival in Dubai.
- The certificate must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other test certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.
- You must bring an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.
- If you are transiting in Dubai, you are not required to present a COVID‑19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated.
Test exemptions:
- Children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability are exempt from this test. There may be specific test exemptions in your country of origin and final destination. Please check the requirement before you travel.
COVID‑19 testing laboratories:
- The UAE government has specified designated laboratories. You can either use the recommended laboratories in the list or any trusted and certified laboratories in your country of origin to get your COVID‑19 PCR test.
- If you are flying from India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh , you must get your certificate from one of the labs listed in the designated laboratories document to be accepted on the flight.
When you arrive
- You may need to take another COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival. If you take a test at the airport, you must remain in your hotel or residence until you receive the test result.
- If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines