The United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s largest aviation hubs, given that Emirates is based in Dubai and Etihad is based in Abu Dhabi.
Since late March the country has more or less closed borders, with locals largely not being allowed to enter or leave the country, and foreigners not being able to visit the country. This is a stricter border closure than we’ve seen in many other countries, since most countries placed very few restrictions on residents entering and leaving.
Emirates has gradually ramped up operations and currently flies to 40 destinations, but even so, the airline is focused mostly on transit passengers. Currently visitors are only allowed to transit the airport, and not actually enter the country.
The UAE’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has now announced plans to once again open borders, allowing travel for locals and visitors alike. What does the plan look like?
UAE will welcome visitors as of July 7, 2020
Visitors will once again be allowed to enter Dubai by air as of July 7, 2020, assuming they meet all the other requirements of entering the UAE:
- Visitors will need to download the COVID-19 DXB app and register details to facilitate coordination and communication with health authorities if they experience COVID-19 symptoms
- Visitors will need to have valid health insurance
- Visitors must get a PCR test at most 96 hours ahead of their date of departure to the UAE, and proof of this will need to be shown on arrival at Dubai Airport
- If proof of a PCR test can’t be shown, visitors will need to undergo a test at the airport upon arrival; it’s not yet clear what the cost for that will be, and if visitors will need to quarantine until the results come in
- Visitors be subject to thermal screening upon arrival, and if they are suspected to have COVID-19 symptoms, the airport has the right to re-test them to make sure they’re free of the virus
- Visitors who test positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate themselves in an institutional facility provided by the government at their own expenses for 14 days
Visitors can once again enter the UAE as of July 7
UAE residents can return as of June 22, 2020
UAE residents (this mostly includes foreign workers) holding Dubai-issued visas will once again be allowed to return to the UAE as of tomorrow:
- They must pre-book flights on any airline on the condition that they obtain an approval coordinated between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) and the airline
- They’ll need to fill in a “Health Declaration Form” before embarking on their trip to confirm they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms
- Upon return to Dubai, citizens and residents will have to undergo a PCR test at the airport, and must register their details on the COVID-19 DXB app
- They must commit to isolating themselves until test results are made available, and in the event of a positive test, will need to isolate for 14 days
UAE residents can return as of June 22
UAE residents can depart as of June 23, 2020
UAE residents and citizens will be allowed to once again leave the country as of June 23, 2020:
- There will be no restrictions on the overseas destinations that citizens and residents can travel to
- They must comply with guidelines and protocols followed in the countries they’re traveling to
- They’ll need to fill in a “Health Declaration Form” before embarking on their trip to confirm they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms
- Upon return to Dubai, citizens and residents will have to undergo a PCR test at the airport, and must register their details on the COVID-19 DXB app
- They must commit to isolating themselves until test results are positive, and in the event of a positive test, will need to isolate for 14 days
UAE residents can travel once again as of June 23
Bottom line
The UAE has revealed full plans to reopen borders in the coming weeks. Over the next couple of days UAE citizens and residents will be allowed to leave and enter the country, while as of July 7 visitors will be allowed to enter the country.
Visitors will need to present a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of departure, or alternatively can be tested upon arrival (the cost of that option isn’t yet known).
What do you make of the UAE’s plans to reopen borders?
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.