Dubai Travel Update: Airlines issue tourist visas, COVID-19 test guidelines for India and Pakistan

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai is open to tourists once again with all precautionary measures to ensure utmost safety for travellers.

The Emirates Airline has asked travellers to check the latest information about COVID-19 travel and testing requirements before travelling to Dubai.

The airline highlights some of the important information for travellers:  

The airline urged everyone to check the need for a visa.

The airline said, “Depending on your nationality you can get a visa on arrival, or you can apply for your prearranged visit visa from Dubai Immigration before you travel.

Emirates said the GDRFA or ICA approval is not required for tourists travelling to the UAE.

The airline said that passengers arriving from the following countries must follow specific protocols:

The countries are:

Bangladesh,

India,

Nigeria,

Pakistan,

Sri Lanka,

South Africa,

Uganda,

Vietnam,

Zambia,

Indonesia

There are specific requirements for passengers from the above mentioned countries.

—    A valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate with a QR code issued within 48 hours of the time the sample was collected from an approved health facility
—    A rapid PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at the departure airport within six hours of departure

—    Holders of all types of visa and/or entry permits granted by authorities in the UAE can now fly to Dubai.

It was learnt that the approved visa categories to travel to UAE without any hassle are the employment, short or extended stay, visit, and newly issued residence visa.

The Dubai authorities said that travellers could apply for a visa via the following airlines such as Emirates, FlyDubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia.
UAE residents can apply on behalf of their friends or relatives with visa offices in the UAE.