Emirates updates COVID-19 PCR test requirements for Dubai passengers

Emirates Airline has revised its COVID-19 PCR test requirements for passengers travelling to Dubai from dozens of countries.

The pre-flight PCR tests have been made optional for UAE residents travelling from as many as 56 countries, as well as for tourists from Germany and the UK.

Meanwhile, passengers from many other countries are now required to take two PCR tests: one before departing for Dubai and another on arrival in the emirate.

The following entry rules apply to passengers travelling from these countries:

Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States (New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle).

• UAE residents have the option to present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test before departure or take the PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
• Tourists must present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of the test before departure ‑ except for passengers coming from the UK and Germany who have the option to take a COVID‑19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
• Transiting passengers from these countries are not required to present a COVID‑19 PCR test certificate unless it is mandated by your final destination.

The following entry rules apply to passengers travelling from these countries:

Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovakia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United States (California, Florida, Texas), Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

• UAE residents must take two COVID‑19 PCR tests: one before departure with a validity of 96 hours from the date of the test, and a second test upon arrival in Dubai.
• Tourists must take two COVID‑19 PCR tests: one before departure with a validity of 96 hours from the date of the test, and a second test upon arrival in Dubai.
• Transiting passengers from these countries must have a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate that is valid for 96 hours from the date of test, as well as any additional requirements for their final destination.

The airline has reiterated that the test certificates must be for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Other certificates including antibody tests and home testing kits are not accepted in Dubai.

Passengers taking a test before departure must carry an official, printed certificate in English or Arabic to check‑in – SMS and digital certificates are not accepted.