Dubai Open Again - New Guidelines For Travelling To And From Dubai

24th June 2020, Updated 2nd July 2020

Dubai is open! Offices are back to operating at 100% capacity and most sectors are open again although observing new regulations specific to their activities. To boost Dubai's economy, people movement is essential, so new regulations have been issued this week for people travelling to and from Dubai - residents and tourists.

Dubai residents returning to Dubai

Foreign nationals holding Dubai-issued visas are now permitted to return to Dubai, but they must adhere to strict new guidelines.

Prior to booking your flight to Dubai

Firstly, Dubai resident visa holders must apply to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) for approval to fly back to Dubai. Upon approval, they can book their flight tickets. Getting GDFRA approval first is essential. We understand from media reports that applications will get an immediate response and in the case approval isn't granted, the applicant should reapply later.

Prior to your flight to Dubai

All residents flying to Dubai must print out and complete this health declaration form and this quarantine undertaking form. These forms need to be given to Dubai Health Authority staff upon arrival at Dubai airports. In case any passenger is displaying symptoms relating to COVID-19, airlines can refuse passage.

Upon arrival at Dubai airports

All residents must undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test (screening for COVID-19).
All residents must download and register their details in the COVID-19 DXB app before leaving the terminal.
Residents should go directly to their homes and stay there until they receive their PCR test result. Those receiving a positive PCR test result must home isolate for 14 days; or if they test positive and share accommodation or live in high density facilities, they will need to be isolated at a government facility. It is their employer's responsibility to organize this.

Citizens and residents travelling from Dubai UPDATED 07/02/2020

The UAE's Supreme Council For National Security has announced that citizens and residents are not permited to travel for leisure and tourism reasons at the current time. Essential travel is permitted provided the guidelines locally and at the foreign destination are adhered to and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The situations in which travel will be permitted are as follows:

Study
Medical treatment
Diplomatic mission
Official business of the government
Private sector business travel - business travel in commercial and economic sectors
Residents who wish to return to their home countries and come back to the UAE.

Prior to your flight from Dubai

All citizens and residents departing from Dubai airports must print out and complete this health declaration form. In case any passenger is displaying symptoms relating to COVID-19, airlines can refuse passage.

Upon returning to Dubai

All citizens and residents must undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test (screening for COVID-19).
All citizens and residents must download and register their details in the COVID-19 DXB app before leaving the terminal.
Citizens and residents should go directly to their homes and stay there until they receive their PCR test result. Those receiving a positive PCR test result must home isolate for 14 days.

Dubai reopens for tourism

From 7th July 2020, tourists will be allowed to visit Dubai, but they will need to adhere to strict guidelines. Tourists visiting Dubai must:

download and register their details in the COVID-19 DXB app
print out and complete this health declaration form be given to Dubai Health Authority staff upon arrival at Dubai airports
have valid international health insurance which covers COVID-19
do a PCR test with a maximum validity of four days (96 hours) prior to departure
show proof of being infection-free upon arrival at Dubai airports, otherwise they must must undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test (screening for COVID-19).
undergo thermal screening upon arrival at Dubai airports
know airlines can refuse passage to travellers displaying COVID-19 symptoms.

Tourists displaying COVID-19 related symptoms will get retested to ensure they are virus-free. Any tourists receiving positive test results will have to isolate at a government facility for 14 days at their expense.

#GatewayToUAE #ReassuringlyHonest

Written by Jenny Hunt, Founding Partner & CEO

Gateway Group of Companies, Abu Dhabi & Dubai UAE