Dubai: As more and more countries open up to travel, after strict COVID-19 restrictions were in place for over a year, as someone living in the UAE, you might be making plans for travelling during the summer.
It is important to note that the regulations mentioned below are applicable only in case you have been staying in the UAE for at least two weeks or longer. If you have travelled to a country recently, particularly countries that have seen new variants of the COVID-19 virus emerge, the travel requirements may vary.
Also, as travel regulations are updated regularly, it is also important to check with your airlines as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website - https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php - to ensure you are updated with any recent changes to the regulations published below.
It is also important to note that vaccinated passengers have a lot more travel options to choose from, as many countries have quarantine-free travel regulations for those who are fully vaccinated. However, most destinations require a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result, and the validity can vary based on the destination’s regulations.
So, here is a round-up of the countries that you can travel to as a UAE citizen or resident.
1. France
France has lifted entry restrictions from June 9, and now allows travellers based in the UAE to visit France without the need for quarantine.
Vaccine requirement
If you have received the Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine and completed the two week period after the second dose, you can enter France without the need to quarantine.
PCR test requirement
Passengers also need to hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, valid for 72 hours prior to departure, or a Rapid Antigen test result no more than 48 hours old.
2. Malta
The UAE is listed as a ‘corridor country’ by Malta, according to the country’s official health ministry website. As per the travel requirements for the country, a passenger who is a resident of a corridor country, or has stayed in the corridor country for a minimum of 14 days before travelling to Malta, can enter Malta.
PCR test requirement
All passengers travelling to Malta must have a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken within 72 hours before arrival in Malta.
As of June 1, 2021, fully vaccinated Maltese nationals or Malta residency permit holders may present a Maltese vaccination certificate instead of a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate when returning to Malta.
Required forms
Passengers must present a completed Passenger Locator Form (PLF) and a Public Health Travel Declaration, which can be downloaded from the Malta Airport website - https://www.maltairport.com/declarationforms/ - and a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate at check‑in to be accepted for travel to Malta.
Both completed forms must be handed over to the medical/health staff on arrival at Malta International Airport. A false declaration on arrival will be considered a criminal offence.
Quarantine rules
Any passenger five years old and above, who does not have a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate on arrival in Malta, will be subject to a mandatory COVID‑19 PCR test and/or mandatory quarantine at the passenger’s expense.
The Pfizer BioNTech and Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines are recognised in Malta.
3. Greece
Greece has signed a travel corridor agreement with the UAE. This allows UAE citizens and residents to travel to the country by presenting either their vaccination certificate, which shows that they are fully vaccinated, or a negative PCR test result.
PCR test requirement
Passengers from the UAE must present a negative PCR test result, where the test is taken at least 72 hours before arrival in Greece. Alternatively, they can also present a vaccine certificate
Quarantine rules
You do not need to quarantine, as long as you are either fully vaccinated and are travelling at least fourteen days after the second dose of your vaccine, or are presenting a negative PCR test result.
Which vaccines are accepted?
Pfizer BioNtech, Oxford Astra Zeneca, Sputnik and Sinopharm are among the vaccines accepted by Greece.
Required forms
Passengers must complete the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) on the day before their arrival in Greece. The form can be found here: https://travel.gov.gr/#/
Along with the QR code proof that they have completed the PLF, passengers from UAE or third countries will have to present their residence permit, work permit, identity card (provided that it states the place of residence), driving licence or other document to prove their place of residence
4. Italy
According to Emirates airlines’ website, all passengers travelling from Dubai (UAE) to Rome, Milan and Venice will be required to meet the following requirements:
• Before departure, passengers must present, at check‑in, a COVID‑19 test (PCR or antigen) report for a test done a maximum of 48 hours before departure.
• Passengers must fill in a Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF). Once the form has been completed and submitted, passengers will receive the dPLF in pdf format with a QR code via email. They must present this QR code at check in at the original point of departure before they can be issued with a boarding pass.
• A rapid swab test is mandatory on arrival, and all arriving passengers are required to book a swab test online. Passengers who do not book the swab test online may be subject to additional delays on arrival.
As long as these requirements are met, you do not need to go into quarantine on arrival.
5. Russia
Citizens and residents of the UAE can travel to Russia, without the need to quarantine, as long as they fulfil certain travel requirements.
COVID‑19 testing requirements
Passengers need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, for the test taken not more than 72 hours before the time of arrival to Moscow.
6. Turkey
Citizens and residents of the UAE can travel to Turkey, without the need to quarantine, as long as they are fully vaccinated or present a negative PCR test result.
COVID‑19 testing requirements
If you are not vaccinated, you can present a negative PCR test result, for the test taken within 72 hours of arriving in the UAE.
7. Spain
From 7 June, tourists have been allowed to enter Spain if they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days before date of travel, or can present their COVID-19 PCR tests taken 48 hours prior to arrival.
Which vaccines are accepted?
You can present Pfizer BioNTech, Sinopharm and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines.
8. Jordan
Citizens and residents in the UAE can visit Jordan if they are fully vaccinated.
PCR test requirements
A negative COVID 19 PCR test result for a test conducted within 72 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure to Jordan from the first departure airport. COVID 19 PCR testing is not required upon arrival.
COVID-19 vaccine
You would also need to present an official vaccine certificate, proving that the full course of vaccination has been completed.
Other requirements
• You must register with the platform http://www.visitjordan.com/ to get a QR code.
• You would also need to fill in a passenger declaration form on the website of Jordan Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (JCARC) - http://carc.gov.jo/en/covid19-related-measures
9. Lebanon
If you are a UAE citizen or resident and are fully vaccinated, which means that you have taken the second dose at least two weeks prior to travel, you do not need to present a negative PCR test result before travelling. However, you will need to take a PCR test on arrival.
The cost of the COVID‑19 PCR test and other medical diagnostic measures is $50 (Dh183) and it is collected at the time of flight booking.
PCR test requirements
If you are not fully vaccinated, you will be required to present a negative PCR test result, for a test taken at least 96 hours before your arrival in Lebanon.
10. Bahrain
UAE citizens and residents who are fully vaccinated can enter Bahrain without the need to quarantine.
PCR test requirements
If you are not fully vaccinated, you will be required to present a negative PCR test result, for a test taken within 48 hours of arrival.
11. Egypt
All passengers to Egypt are required to present a negative PCR test result, for a test taken within 72 hours before departure.
Other documents
All passengers must complete a health declaration form that will be provided on board the aircraft. Forms are also available from Egyptian tourism companies and their international counterparts.
12. The Maldives
Passengers travelling to the Maldives as tourists must have a confirmed hotel reservation for their stay at registered tourist facilities. The visa on arrival facility is currently available, according to the Emirates airlines’ website.
PCR test requirements
All passengers travelling to the Maldives must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result for a test conducted within 96 hours of departure.
13. Seychelles
Seychelles is another country which has established a safe travel corridor with the UAE for fully vaccinated individuals, in addition to mutual recognition of vaccination certificates issued by health authorities in the two countries. Individuals holding vaccination certificates will not need to apply for quarantine requirements upon arrival, while abiding by other precautionary measures adopted at each destination to ensure safe and secure travel for all.
14. Thailand, Phuket
Effective July 1, Phuket will be accepting vaccinated international passengers as long as they fulfil certain travel requirements.
PCR test
All passengers (irrespective of vaccination status) must perform a COVID‑19 PCR test 72 hours prior to their departure.
Vaccine requirements
Vaccinated passengers must have received their vaccines at least 14 days prior to their travel to Thailand to avoid quarantine.
Which vaccines are accepted?
The Thai government is accepting Pfizer BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca and the Sinopharm vaccine, among others.
15. Kenya
UAE citizens and residents are exempt from quarantine regulations, as long as they fulfil certain COVID-19 travel requirements.
PCR test
All passengers, must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate issued no more than 96 hours before departure at check‑in.
16. Tanzania
If you are travelling from the UAE, you would need to present a negative PCR test result to enter Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
PCR test requirements
All passengers will be required to present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate for a test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Tanzania.
You will also be subject to rapid COVID‑19 test on arrival in Dar es Salaam, which costs US $25 (Dh91) and must be paid in cash. This does not apply to children under 10 years of age.
17. Montenegro
flydubai is expected to start flights to Montenegro from June 25. According to the flydubai website, UAE citizens can obtain a visa on arrival for up to 90 days provided they have a valid passport for the duration of their stay. UAE residents, with their residence visa valid for at least 30 days beyond the period of intended stay and arriving directly from the UAE can obtain a visa on arrival for 10 days provided they have a confirmed return flight and hotel booking. Passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for a minimum of three months beyond the period of intended stay.
All passengers travelling to Montenegro must present one of the following:
• a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate issued no more than 72 hours prior to departure of the first flight of their itinerary; or
• a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test result issued at most 48 hours before arrival; or
• a positive serological IgG antibodies test result issued at most 30 days before arrival; or
• a positive COVID-19 PCR test result issued at least 14 days and at most 90 days before arrival and a recovery certificate specifying that the passenger is not contagious; or
• a COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival.
18. United States
Several destinations in the US, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington are open to travellers from the UAE.
PCR test requirements
All passengers above the age of two years are required to present a negative PCR test result, for the test taken within 72 hours before departure.
Quarantine
Fully vaccinated travellers do not need to undergo quarantine, unless it is required by a certain state regulation.
19. Mexico
While you are not required to take a PCR test before travelling to Mexico, you must complete a traveller information form upon arrival, according to the Emirates Airlines’ website.
To complete the health declaration form, visit https://www.vuelaseguro.com. Once completed, you will receive a QR code, which has to be presented to health authorities upon arrival.
20. Armenia
UAE citizens and residents can travel to Armenia without the need to quarantine as long as they fulfill certain COVID-19 travel requirements, according to information shared on flydubai’s website.
PCR test requirement
Present a printed negative COVID-19 PCR certificate taken within 72 hours before arrival. Infants below 11 months are exempt from this requirement. You can also pay for a PCR test on arrival.
COVID-19 vaccine
Provide a COVID-19 vaccination certificate (two doses) with the second vaccine completed 14 days before arrival.
21. Georgia
UAE citizens and residents can travel to Georgia without the need to quarantine if they present a negative PCR test result or are fully vaccinated.
PCR test requirements
You must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, for a test taken no later than 72 hours prior to arrival in Georgia or hold a COVID-19 vaccination certificate (completion of two doses).
22. Albania
According to the flydubai website, travel to Albania is open to UAE citizens and residents. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website, Albania lifted its travel restrictions on May 13, 2021. There are no PCR requirements to travel to Albania.
Passengers with a valid residence permit issued by the United Arab Emirates can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 90 days. The maximum stay is granted within 180 days.
Passports must be valid for a minimum of three months from the arrival date. Passengers without a return or onward ticket could be refused to enter Albania.
23. Belarus
UAE citizens and residents can travel to Belarus, without the need to quarantine.
PCR test requirements
All passengers must present a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. The test must be taken within 72 hours before arrival.
Other requirements
Passengers also need to fill in a health declaration, which can be found here: https://airport.by/en/priletausim/Prevention
24. Bosnia and Herzegovina
You can also visit Bosnia and Herzegovina without the need to quarantine. These are the entry requirements, according to flydubai, in case you are travelling from the UAE:
• a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival; or
• a COVID-19 vaccination certificate (2 doses) showing that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival; or
• a COVID-19 vaccination certificate (one dose) taken at least fourteen days before arrival, if the given vaccine is in a single dose; or
• a COVID-19 recovery certificate issued at most from day 14 and day 180 from the day of arrival.
25. Bulgaria
If you are travelling to Bulgaria from the UAE, you would need to either present a negative PCR test result or proof of vaccination.
PCR test requirement
A negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 72 hours before arrival.
COVID-19 vaccine
You can also present a vaccine certificate, stating that you received the vaccine at least 14 days before arrival.
Which vaccines are accepted?
Bulgarian authorities are accepting Oxford AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Sputnik V, among other vaccines.
26. Djibouti
Travel to Djibouti is open to UAE citizens and residents.
PCR test requirement
All passengers are required to present a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours before departure.
There is also a PCR test conducted on arrival.
27. Georgia
UAE citizens and residents can travel to Georgia without the need to quarantine, as long as they fulfil certain travel requirements.
PCR test requirement
Passengers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no later than 72 hours prior to arrival in Georgia.
COVID-19 vaccine
Alternatively, passengers can also present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, which shows that both the vaccine doses have been administered.
28. Kyrgyzstan
UAE citizens and residents can travel to Kyrgyzstan, without the need to quarantine if they fulfil certain COVID-19 entry requirements
PCR test requirement
All passengers must present a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours prior to arrival to Kyrgyzstan.
29. Serbia
Serbia is another destination that you can visit, as long as you are vaccinated or can present a negative PCR test result.
PCR test requirement
You need to present a negative PCR test result, issued no more than 48 hours prior to arrival.
COVID-19 vaccine
Passengers who are fully vaccinated are exempt from the PCR test requirement. Serbia is accepting vaccine certificates issued by the UAE, so regardless of the vaccine you have received, you can visit the country as long as you are vaccinated.
30. Romania
According to the flydubai website, Romania lifted its travel restrictions from June 1, with vaccinated passengers allowed to enter the country, without the need to quarantine.
COVID-19 vaccine
Passengers would need to present a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. They will be exempt from the 14-day quarantine, if they received the last vaccine dose at least 10 days before arrival.
31. Tanzania
Travel to Tanzania is open to UAE citizens and residents, as long as they fulfil certain COVID-19 travel requirements.
PCR test requirement
All passengers must have a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate from a test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival.
This does not apply to children below five years of age.
A test may also be conducted on arrival at the airport, which needs to be paid for by the passenger. The cost of the test is US$25 (Dh91).
32. Ukraine
UAE citizens and residents can also travel to Ukraine, as long as they fulfill certain COVID-19 entry regulations.
PCR test requirement
You would need to present a negative PCR test result, issued at most 72 hours before arrival.
COVID-19 vaccine
Alternatively, you can also present a vaccine certificate, showing that you are fully vaccinated.
Which vaccines are accepted?
Ukranian authorities are accepting Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford AstraZeneca and Sinopharm, among other vaccines.
33. Uzbekistan
You can also travel to Uzbekistan, if you are a UAE citizen or resident.
PCR test requirements
All passengers travelling to Uzbekistan are required to present a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
Children under the age of two years are exempt from this requirement.
According to the flydubai website, passengers travelling from the UAE should get the test result from one of the following laboratories:
• Abu Dhabi Healthcare Company (SEHA)
• Dubai Hospital
• Latifa Hospital for Women and Children
• Burjeel hospital
• Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC)
• Al Futtaim Health Hub
• Mediclinic City Hospital
• Thumbay Hospital
• Agiomix
• Al Jalila Hospital
