Lois Larson
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt travel, many countries have implemented new rules and restrictions for passengers transiting through their airports. Dubai is one of the countries that has introduced specific requirements for transit passengers. Depending on the country of departure, passengers transiting through Dubai may need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, undergo a rapid PCR test before departure, and even self-quarantine upon arrival. Additionally, there are restrictions on travellers who have recently visited certain African countries. Prescription medicine regulations are also in place, with some medications requiring prior approval from the Dubai Health Authority.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PCR test required? | Yes, for certain countries. |
| Quarantine required? | Yes, until a negative PCR test result is received. |
| Prescription medicine allowed? | Yes, for personal use only. |
| Documentation required for prescription medicine? | Yes, a copy of the prescription or label on the bottle showing your name, doctor's name, and prescription number. |
| Maximum supply allowed for prescription medicine? | 30-day supply. |
| Any other restrictions? | Travellers from certain countries are not permitted to enter or transit through Dubai. |
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What You'll Learn
PCR tests are required for transit through Dubai airport
If you are planning to transit through Dubai Airport, it is important to know the requirements for COVID-19 PCR tests. As of August 2020, all passengers arriving and transiting through Dubai are required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test. This rule applies regardless of your airline. Children under 12 and passengers with moderate or severe disabilities are exempt from this requirement.
The PCR test must be taken within a specific time frame before your inbound flight to Dubai. The test must be administered by an approved health service in the country of departure and a printed copy of the negative result must be presented upon arrival in Dubai. The printed copy must include a QR code and be in English or Arabic. In addition, some passengers may be required to take a rapid PCR test within 6 hours of boarding the aircraft, if a testing facility is available at the departure airport.
It is important to note that there are restrictions on transit duration. Emirates advises travellers to check in early, as various entry regulations and COVID-19 test requirements must be completed before flight departure. No transit over 10 hours is allowed through Dubai International Airport.
It is recommended to check the latest travel advice and requirements for your specific country of departure and final destination, as these may change. Some countries may have additional requirements, such as self-isolation upon arrival. Staying informed about the necessary procedures will help ensure a smooth journey when transiting through Dubai Airport.
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Quarantine requirements depend on your final destination
Quarantine requirements vary depending on your final destination. For example, if you are travelling to or from Dubai, you will need to check the travel requirements for Dubai, as well as the requirements of your final destination.
If you are travelling to the UK, you will need to complete a passenger locator form before you arrive. If you are only transiting through the UK, you do not need to complete the form, but if you are staying for longer, you may need to self-quarantine.
If you are travelling to Spain, you will need to clear immigration, so you will need to comply with all the entry requirements, which may include a negative PCR test and/or self-isolation for 14 days.
If you are travelling to Argentina, there are no longer any COVID-19 entry restrictions, but passengers travelling from Argentina must follow the rules of their destination.
If you are travelling to Austria, there are no longer any COVID-19 entry restrictions, including those for testing, vaccination, quarantine, and entry forms.
If you are travelling to China, there are no longer any COVID-19 entry restrictions.
If you are travelling to Dubai, you will need a negative COVID-19 PCR test result with a QR code in English or Arabic from a test taken in the country of departure by an approved health service no more than 48 hours before your flight. You may also need to take a rapid PCR test within 6 hours of boarding and undergo another PCR test on arrival, self-quarantining until you receive a negative result.
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Prescription medicine rules for transit through Dubai
Dubai has extremely strict drug laws. Travellers to Dubai and the UAE should be aware of the rules regarding prescription medicines. Prescription medicines can be brought into the country for personal use only. Narcotics, psychotropics, and other controlled drugs/medicines of class A or B are neither freely available in the UAE nor can they be imported without prior approval.
To bring prescription medicines to the UAE, travellers must submit a doctor’s prescription, a passport or Emirates ID copy, and some other verification details using the Ministry of Health website. Officials will review the submission and approve it within one working day. Medicines will then be checked on entry by an inspector. Passengers can take one month of controlled or semi-controlled medicine or three months of non-controlled medicine. Any medicine that does not meet the requirements will be seized at the airport, although there will be no punitive action from the authorities.
If the medication is controlled in the emirate, travellers may need to get a new prescription from a locally registered doctor. Pharmacists cannot accept foreign prescriptions. The Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE has released a list of controlled, prohibited, or restricted drugs in the country. Travellers should check this list before travelling.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers who have travelled from or transited through certain countries are required to present a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to enter Dubai.
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PCR test exemptions for some countries
PCR tests are a reliable and accurate way to diagnose certain infectious diseases, some types of cancer, and certain genetic changes. The tests check for small amounts of genetic material of a pathogen (disease-causing organism) or abnormal cells in a sample of blood, saliva, mucus, or tissue.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have implemented PCR testing requirements for incoming travellers. However, there are some exemptions to these requirements for certain countries or specific groups of travellers. Here are some examples:
United Arab Emirates: While the UAE generally requires a negative COVID-19 PCR test for travellers transiting through Dubai, there are exemptions for UAE Golden Visa holders. These exempted passengers must still present a negative PCR test and undergo additional testing and self-quarantine protocols upon arrival in Dubai.
United States: The CDC has instructed that criteria for exemptions from pre-departure testing requirements be narrow and that the urgency must be readily apparent. Initially, the CDC considered exemption requests from U.S. citizens in countries lacking one-day testing capacity. U.S. and non-U.S. persons may request a waiver to the testing requirement through the U.S. Embassy, and non-U.S. persons can also request a vaccination requirement waiver.
United Kingdom: Travellers transiting through a UK airport without passing through border controls are generally not required to complete a passenger locator form. However, those staying in the UK for an extended period may need to self-quarantine.
It is important to note that travel restrictions and exemptions may change frequently, so travellers should refer to official government sources and embassies for the most up-to-date information.
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Transit through Dubai from the UK
If you are transiting through Dubai from the UK, you must meet the requirements for every country you travel to and transit through on your journey, in addition to your final destination. The rules change frequently, so check for updates before you travel.
If you are travelling from or transiting through Dubai International, the mask rules of your destination will apply throughout your journey. Wearing a face mask is optional in the UAE and on Emirates flights.
You may need to take a COVID-19 PCR test before you travel to or connect through Dubai. Children under 12 years old and passengers with moderate or severe disabilities do not have to take the test to travel or connect through Dubai. If you do not have the correct travel documents and a negative COVID-19 test certificate, you will not be able to board the flight.
If your connection time in Dubai is between 10 and 24 hours, you might be eligible for Dubai Connect services. If you are eligible, you can request Dubai Connect services through Manage your booking once you complete all the entry and testing requirements for travel to Dubai and your final destination.
If you are staying in the UK for longer, then expect to self-quarantine while you’re in the UK. As you’re transiting, you should be OK to move through the airport, passing border controls and checking in again to catch your next flight.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need a negative Covid-19 PCR test report with a QR code for a test conducted at an approved facility within 48-72 hours of departure.
If you are only transiting through Dubai Airport, you do not need to quarantine. However, if you are staying in your destination country for a longer period, you may need to quarantine there.
Yes, passengers who have travelled from or through certain countries in Africa are restricted from entering or transiting through Dubai. This includes Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, and South Africa, among others.
Prescription medicine can be brought into Dubai for personal use only. You should bring a copy of the prescription or a labelled bottle with your name, the doctor's name, and the prescription number. A maximum of a 30-day supply is allowed.
UAE Golden Visa holders are exempt from the Covid testing requirements but must still present a negative PCR test and undergo a PCR test on arrival.
