COVID-19 vaccination certificate no longer a requirement for Dubai travellers

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

While responding to a query on Twitter, Emirates Airline has said that a coronavirus vaccination certificate is not a requirement for people travelling to Dubai from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

It is pertinent to mention here that this rule applies on those travelling to Dubai and not the other emirates of the UAE. However, residents from India, Pakistan and four other nations, still need the GDRFA approval, PCR and rapid PCR test to enter the country.

When a resident Aftab Ansari from India asked if residents who got Covishield vaccine can return to Dubai, the airline responded: “Hi Aftab, as per our latest update, the COVID-19 vaccination certificate is no longer a requirement. You’ll need to meet the travel requirements here https://bit.ly/37tusvt.  Feel free to DM us for more queries. Thanks.”

All travellers with a valid UAE residence visa are allowed to travel to and through Dubai from these countries, provided they comply with the following rules:

Image used for illustrative purpose only.

- Dubai visa holders must apply for pre entry approval through General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
Passengers must have a valid COVID-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours between the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure.

- Only COVID-19 PCR test reports from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report will be accepted.

- Passengers must complete a COVID-19 PCR rapid test 4 hours before the departure of their flight. (Rapid antigen test will not be
accepted).

- Passengers must complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.

- UAE Nationals are exempted from the above requirements but subject to COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.