Dubai has moved to exempt passengers arriving from several countries including four GCC states from pre-COVID-19 PCR tests.
In a statement on its website, Emirates said: “All passengers arriving in Dubai from the GCC countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman are not required to take a COVID‑19 PCR test prior to departure.”
However, travelers would still need to undergo a PCR test once they arrive at Dubai airport.
“You can opt to do the test on arrival at Dubai International Airport. This is not applicable to passengers arriving by road through the Hatta border, who must take the PCR test 96 hours from the date of the test before departure,” the airline said.
The test on arrival in Dubai, Emirates said, would also apply to passengers from the United Kingdom and Germany.
PCR test before flight still applies to all other territories.
Here are the updated guidelines of the Emirates:
COVID‑19 PCR test requirements for Dubai by country
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, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States
- Tourists must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test 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.
- If you are transiting in Dubai from the countries listed above, you are not required to present a COVID‑19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by your country of origin or final destination.
- Passengers who wish to avail Dubai Connect, and have booked a hotel outside the airport, must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test before departure.
The following entry rules apply to tourists travelling to Dubai from these countries and territories:
Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Tourists must take two COVID‑19 PCR tests: one before departure with a validity of 96 hours from the date of the test, 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 from the countries listed directly above, you must have a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of test, as well as any requirements for your final destination.
