Lois Larson
Dubai International Airport offers PCR tests to passengers arriving from certain countries. The test is mandatory for passengers from countries not mandated to take tests on arrival, such as the UK. Results are typically available within 18 to 24 hours, and passengers must isolate at their residence until then. Those who test positive must isolate for 10 days from the first day of the test and download the COVID-19 DXB app. While the PCR test was previously required 48 to 72 hours before departure, vaccinated travellers no longer need to present a negative PCR test on arrival.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| PCR tests available at Dubai Airport | Yes |
| PCR test mandatory for all arrivals | No, but mandatory for arrivals from certain countries |
| PCR test mandatory for transit passengers | Yes, for transit passengers from certain countries |
| Cost of PCR test | Free |
| Quarantine required after PCR test | Yes, until test results are available |
| Time taken for PCR test results | 18-24 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Testing requirements for vaccinated travellers
Dubai International Airport conducts random PCR tests on arriving passengers for certain flights at no additional cost. Passengers arriving from countries that do not mandate tests on arrival may be subject to these random tests. Those who test positive must isolate for 10 days from the first day of the PCR test and download the COVID-19 DXB app.
As of February 22, 2022, Dubai and Sharjah Airports have removed the requirement for rapid PCR tests at the airport of origin for passengers arriving from India, Pakistan, and other countries. Passengers from these countries must still present a negative PCR test result within 48 hours before departure.
Additionally, transit passengers from Angola, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, among others, must present a negative PCR test done no more than 72 hours before departure. Transit passengers from Cameroon and Zambia must provide a negative test within 48 hours before departure.
For travellers from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, a negative COVID-19 test certificate from an approved facility is required within 48 hours of departure. The certificate must be a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test with a QR code linked to the original report.
It is important to note that testing requirements may change, and travellers should refer to the latest official guidelines provided by the relevant authorities before their trip.
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Testing requirements for unvaccinated travellers
Unvaccinated travellers are required to take a PCR test within 48 hours of departure and validate the test result at the Trusted Travel or Global Haven portals. The test must be taken at a trusted and certified laboratory in the country of origin.
Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport, unvaccinated travellers from certain countries must take another PCR test. This includes countries such as India, Egypt, Turkey, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria. Transit passengers from Angola, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, among others, must present a negative PCR test done no more than 72 hours before departure.
If you take a PCR test at the airport, you must remain at your place of residence until you receive the result. Results typically take around 18 to 24 hours to come through. If the test is positive, you will be required to isolate and follow the guidelines of the Dubai Health Authority. You must also download the COVID-19 DXB Smart App, available on iOS and Android.
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Testing requirements for transit passengers
As of February 2022, passengers travelling from India, Pakistan, and other countries were no longer required to take a rapid PCR test at the departing airport within six hours of departure. However, they must present a negative PCR test result obtained within 48 hours before departure.
Transit passengers from certain countries, including Angola, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, must present a negative PCR test result obtained no more than 72 hours before departure. Additionally, transit passengers from Cameroon and Zambia must present a negative PCR test result with a QR code obtained within 48 hours before departure.
For passengers travelling from India or Pakistan to Canada via an indirect route, they must obtain a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada.
In some cases, transit passengers may not be required to undergo re-testing at Dubai Airport. However, they should be prepared to comply with the requirements of their final destination, as the PCR validity period may expire during transit.
It is recommended to check the latest guidelines and requirements for your specific transit route and destination before travelling, as the information provided here may not be up-to-date and the situation is subject to change.
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Testing requirements for arrivals from specific countries
As of 3 February 2022, Dubai International Airport has been conducting random PCR tests on arriving passengers on certain flights at no additional cost. Those who test positive will have to isolate for 10 days from the first day of the PCR test and download the COVID-19 DXB app.
Passengers arriving from the UK must undergo testing on arrival at DXB International Airport, as the UK is not included on the list of countries in which a PCR test is compulsory. Travel to the UAE from several African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria, is currently prohibited due to high Omicron case numbers.
Passengers arriving in Dubai from the following countries will be required to take another COVID-19 RT-PCR test on arrival at Dubai's airports: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Somaliland, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Transit passengers from Angola, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka must present a negative result for a COVID-19 PCR test done no more than 72 hours before departure. Transit passengers from Cameroon and Zambia must present a negative result for a COVID-19 PCR test (with QR code) done no more than 48 hours before departure.
If you are transiting through Abu Dhabi, you must take your COVID-19 RT-PCR test no more than 72 hours before your first flight departure, unless the requirement at your final destination is 48 hours. All arriving passengers to Sharjah must have a negative PCR test report, valid for 96 hours before departure, and undergo another PCR test upon arrival at Sharjah Airport.
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What to do if you test positive
If you test positive for COVID-19 on arrival at Dubai Airport, you will be required to undergo a period of isolation. This is mandatory, even if you are not experiencing any symptoms. The length of the isolation period is 10 days, starting from the first day the PCR test is taken.
While in isolation, you must follow the guidelines and instructions set out by the Dubai Health Authority. You must also download the COVID-19 DXB Smart App, which is available on iOS and Android. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to Dh10,000.
If you are a tourist or visitor, you will need to bear the cost of isolation and any medical expenses incurred. However, if you are an expatriate resident, it is unclear who will cover these costs. It is important to check the latest government advice and guidelines, as well as those of your airline, before travelling to Dubai.
If you test positive for COVID-19 before your planned trip to Dubai, you may be able to rebook your flight for a later date. Many airlines will allow you to change your travel dates or request a refund without any extra charges if you can provide a copy of your positive PCR test result. It is worth noting that the refund amount may vary depending on the airline.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on where you are travelling from and whether you are transiting through Dubai or ending your journey there. If you are transiting, you may need to present a negative PCR test result no older than 72 or 96 hours before departure. If you are ending your journey in Dubai, you may be selected for a random PCR test on arrival. If you are travelling from certain countries, you will be required to take a PCR test on arrival.
Results typically take between 18 and 24 hours, although some people have reported waiting up to 48 hours.
Yes, you must remain at your place of residence until you receive your result.
You will be required to isolate and follow the guidelines of the Dubai Health Authority. You must also download the COVID-19 DXB Smart App, which is available on iOS and Android.
No, if you are vaccinated, you do not need to present a negative PCR test on arrival in Dubai. However, restrictions may still apply to unvaccinated travellers.
