According to the latest statement of ICA immigration, the procedures of returning have been eased and now UAE residents no longer need to receive approval to come back to the home country.
Previously, UAE residents stuck abroad with a valid visa had to apply for ICA approval to return to the country – if they were planning to travel into any emirate except Dubai.
The government has removed procedure and travel will be permitted into the country, provided travelers will pass specific procedures, which include updating their personal data (a valid Emirates ID, passport number and citizenship), at uaeentry.ica.gov.ae.
The National Crisis Emergency Management Authority tweeted that the latest directive comes with the “end of the summer vacation for academic institutions and the return of commercial activities and social facilities to normal”.
Once details have been updated, travelers must then take a PCR nasal swab test at an accredited lab. A negative test, taken within 96 hours of their flight, must be submitted when booking a ticket to the UAE.
In its turn, NCEMA claimed, “All precautionary measures will be applied to residents upon arrival to the UAE, which includes a lab COVID-19 test and to abide by quarantine rules, plus downloading Al Hosn app, in order to preserve their health and safety”.
With its own procedures, Dubai requires its residents to apply to its the GDRFA immigration service to return to the country, as well as a negative COVID-19 test.
Tourists are not yet permitted to travel to Abu Dhabi but can land in Dubai with a negative PCR nasal swab or DPI blood test.
Tourists coming to Dubai do not need approval but still need to undergo tests in advance, in their home country. Coming travelers may also be asked to take a second PCR test at the airport and have to stay at a specified residence until the test result is given.
Only if the test is negative, tourists or returning residents will be permitted to leave quarantine in Dubai. No matter what the result, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory in the other emirates.
