Living In UAE

COVID-19: ICA or GDRFA approval to return to the UAE - Which one do you need?

These are the regulations for arrivals and departures at the UAE airports

Published: September 29, 2020 19:09 Last updated: February 07, 2021 10:41 Huda Tabrez, Living in UAE Editor

1 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Travelling to or from the UAE soon? These are the guidelines at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports. Image Credit: Gulf News

2 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Guidelines for Dubai airports. Image Credit: Gulf News

3 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Travelling back to the UAE? GDRFA approval is needed for Dubai visa holders. To apply for the GDRFA approval, visit: https://smart.gdrfad.gov.ae/Smart_OTCServicesPortal/ReturnPermitService.aspx Image Credit: Gulf News

4 of 32

All non-Dubai residence visa holders must still apply for and receive approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) prior to travel. — If you are returning to the UAE and your visa has been issued by any other emirate, apart from Dubai, you would need to apply for an ICA approval. To apply for the ICA approval, visit: uaeentry.ica.gov.ae Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

5 of 32

Emiratis returning to Dubai from overseas are not required to do a PCR test prior to departure, regardless of the country they are coming from and time spent there. — Read about the announcement here: https://gulfnews.com/1.1601646587193 Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

6 of 32

The announcement was made by Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management. — They will be required to get a test on arrival at the airport. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

7 of 32

All residents and inbound tourists will have to undergo a PCR test prior to departure for Dubai. — Transit passengrs, too, are required to get a PCR test in certain cases. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

8 of 32

The pre-travel test is also mandatory for transit passengers if their destination country requires them to do so. — Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

9 of 32

Emiratis, residents and tourists travelling overseas from Dubai are only required to undergo a PCR test prior to departure if their destination country requires a pre-travel negative test certificate. — Depending on the country you are travelling to from Dubai, you may need to get a COVID-19 test. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

10 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Speak to your airline to find the latest updates, before booking a ticket. Image Credit: Gulf News

11 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Guidelines for passengers at Abu Dhabi airport Image Credit: Gulf News

12 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Follow these simple steps to ensure your travel plans are not disrupted. Image Credit: Gulf News

13 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — 1. Verify your status at uaeentry.ica.gov.ae (for UAE residents returning to the country) Image Credit: Gulf News

14 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Image Credit: Gulf News

15 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — 2. Book your flight 3. Arrange for a COVID-19 test Image Credit: Gulf News

16 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — 4. Check the latest travel regulations from the airline you are flying with. Image Credit: Gulf News

17 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — You would also need to undergo a PCR test at the airport. Image Credit: Gulf News

18 of 32

8. Quarantine for 10 days In an update on December 22, travellers must self-isolate for 10 days. If passengers are from the list of ‘green’ countries, they will be allowed into the emirate when they receive a negative test result. — 14-day quarantine is mandatory for international passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi. Image Credit: Gulf News archives

19 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Guidelines for Sharjah Image Credit: Gulf News

20 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Sharjah Airport updated its guidelines in an announcement. Read more here: https://gulfnews.com/uae/1.1600862180081 Image Credit: Gulf News

21 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Image Credit: Gulf News

22 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — COVID-19 test is mandatory 96 hours before your departure. Image Credit: Gulf News

23 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — The test will be repeated at the airport. Image Credit: Gulf News

24 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Find out the travel requirements of your destination country, if flying out of UAE. Image Credit: Gulf News

25 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Image Credit: Gulf News

26 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Make sure you have health insurance, which covers COVID-19. Image Credit: Gulf News

27 of 32

ICA or GDRFA approval In an update on October 13, Air Arabia, which operates from Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi airports announced that ICA approval is required for residents whose visa has been issued in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain. — Read more here: https://gulfnews.com/1.74539016 Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

28 of 32

Passengers with residence visa issued by Abu Dhabi or Al Ain should visit the ICA website for UAE entry to verify their entry status. “Residents of other emirates are not required to arrange prior approval,” the airline stated on its website. — Image Credit: WAM

29 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Quarantine is not mandatory if the test at the airport shows a negative result. Image Credit: Gulf News

30 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — If your test result is positive, you must undergo quarantine. Image Credit: Gulf News

31 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Any medical expenses must be covered by the passenger or his or her sponsor. Image Credit: Gulf News

32 of 32

Guidelines for travelling to and from UAE airports — Downloading the ALHOSN app is essential. Read more about how the app works here: https://gulfnews.com/1.1587894042542 Image Credit: Gulf News

Browse by Categories

Related stories

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.