Dubai: With the UAE’s authorities resuming travel for some categories of passengers from countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, one of the main requirements to be able to travel – if you are eligible – is to provide a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test result within 48 hours from the date of departure, provided that the tests are from accredited laboratories and carry a QR Code, and that laboratory test is conducted before boarding the plane.
Additionally, the Emirates website states the following requirements for passengers travelling to Dubai from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Uganda:
2. Passengers must have a valid COVID-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours between the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure. Only COVID 19 PCR test reports from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report will be accepted.
3. Passengers must complete a COVID-19 PCR rapid test four hours before the departure of their flight. (Rapid antigen test will not be accepted)
4. Passengers must complete a COVID 19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
Where can I get a PCR test done?
So, while you may need to get a PCR test done 48 hours before your flight, you also need to check if the airport you plan to travel from has rapid testing facilities, that will provide a PCR test result within four hours.
As for the PCR test that needs to be done within two days (48 hours) of travelling, the UAE government has specified designated laboratories.
For passengers travelling from India, tests can be done at any lab which comes under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). You can find the ICMR-approved lab closes to you, by following this link: https://covid.icmr.org.in/index.php/testing-facilities.
For passengers travelling from Pakistan, the COVID-19 negative test certificate should be issued from a Pakistan Government Approved Lab where a QR Code is embedded on their printed certificate for verification purpose. You can find an authorised lab close to you, by following this link: https://covidsupport.pk/partner-labs.php
Airlines like Emirates and FlyDubai have also provided lists of the approved laboratories for each of the countries that they travel to, which can be found here - https://c.ekstatic.net/ecl/documents/health-screening-documents/approved-laboratories.pdf and here - https://www.flydubai.com/en/plan/covid-19/laboratories-for-pcr-testing.
