Travel News: Flying to and from the UAE COVID guidelines

Travel News: Flying to and from the UAE COVID guidelines

Travel News

Travelling to Dubai from UK

From January 2nd 2022 travellers to the UAE from the UK are now required to present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure. NHS certificates and home testing kits are not accepted. Children aged below 12 not required to take a PCR test to travel to the UAE.

Travelling to Abu Dhabi from the UK

If you are fully vaccinated and flying to Abu Dhabi, you must be tested on arrival in Abu Dhabi airport — after baggage collection. There is no need to quarantine but as the UK removed Abu Dhabi from the green list you must take another PCR test on day four and day eight.

If you are unvaccinated you must be tested on arrival in Abu Dhabi airport, and then quarantine for ten days. You must then take a PCR test on day nine.

PCR tests are free on arrival. PCR tests on day four and day eight, or day nine if you are unvaccinated, are free at Seha screening centres, otherwise they cost Dh50.

Travelling from the UAE to UK

Fully Vaccinated Passengers

Receiving a negative PCR result before boarding the plane is no longer a requirement for flights to the UK for passengers who are fully vaccinated.

To travel to the UK you must book and pay for a government-approved Covid-19 test for the second day, this can be a lateral flow test – NHS tests will not be accepted. You must also fill in the passenger locator form to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in UK.

You can take the test any time after you arrive and before the end of day 2 at the latest. If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate. If your lateral flow test result is positive, you must also take a PCR test. These rules also apply to unvaccinated people who are under 18 or who are medically exempt from taking the vaccine.

Unvaccinated Passengers

Unvaccinated passengers must present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of travel.

You must also book and pay for a government – approved Covid-19 test for the second day of your stay. This can be either a PCR test or a lateral flow test. You must also fill in the passenger locator form to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in UK.

After you arrive in England you must quarantine at home or the place you are staying for 10 days, and take a Covid PCR test on day 2 and on or after day 8. If you are in the UK for fewer than 10 days then you must quarantine the entire time.