Flying into Dubai? Here's what you need to know

Dubai has now opened its doors to all tourists after nearly four months months of restrictions on international travel in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to an announcement on the Emirates airlines website, there will be no age restriction on travel. However, there is a list of guidelines passengers have to adhere to if they are landing at Dubai airport. Travellers have to follow the process below to ensure they have everything in order before flying in.

Depending on your nationality you can get a visa on arrival, or you can apply for your visit visa from Dubai Immigration before the travel. Check with the authorities if you need a visa to visit Dubai.
It is mandatory for passengers to have travel insurance with Covid-19 cover or they must declare at the check-in that they will bear the costs for treatment and isolation if needed before travelling. Ensure you are carrying an insurance certificate stating Covid-19 coverage to present at the check-in counter.

Beginning August 1, all passengers coming into Dubai, including passengers connecting in Dubai, are required to have a negative Covid-19 test certificate. The test has to be done a maximum of 96 hours before departure. The test excludes children under the age of 12 and passengers who have a moderate or severe disability.

Passengers must have a negative Covid-19 PCR test certificate if you are travelling to Dubai from one of the destinations listed below. The test must be taken a maximum of 96 hours before departure. This rule also applies to passengers who have travelled from these points to another destination and travelled on an Emirates flight to Dubai.

Without a test certificate, passengers will not be allowed to board the flight. If the UAE has specified a designated laboratory in the country of origin, then the traveller must obtain the certificate from that lab. Carry a printed test certificate as a digital version on a phone will not be accepted.

From August 1, 2020, a Covid-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai is needed if you have travelled from any of the destinations listed below. A mandatory negative Covid-19 test before travel applies to:

Afghanistan, Armenia, Brazil, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Montenegro, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Serbia, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and USA (Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, including passengers originating from California, Florida and Texas connecting to an Emirates flight from any airport worldwide to Dubai).

A Covid-19 PCR test is also available on arrival in Dubai, if you haven't taken one in your home country (excluding travellers arriving from the countries above, who must have a negative test certificate to be accepted on the flight). Tests on arrival will only apply to passengers from the countries listed above.

If you take a Covid-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai, you have to self-isolate until you receive your test result. If your test result is negative, you are allowed to leave your hotel and enjoy your trip as normal. If the test result is positive, you have to follow the advice of the Dubai Health Authority and remain in self-isolation. Visitors must download the Covid 19-DXB Smart App after landing in Dubai.

Travellers to Dubai, including passengers with a connecting flight, must complete a health declaration form (available online) and submit it to the staff at check-in. The form is also be available at check-in. You will also need to complete the quarantine undertaking form given on board if Dubai is your final destination. The form has to be handed to the Dubai Health Authority staff on arrival.