Coronavirus: UAE officials clarify federal travel and testing rules for this summer

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - People living in the UAE who travel abroad this summer do not need to get approval or be tested before they leave the country, an immigration official said.

While permission is required to return to the country, it is not possible to apply for this before departure.

The country's federal authorities sought to clarify the process after travel restrictions were recently eased and as airlines open up more routes.

In an interview on Abu Dhabi's Emarat TV, Brig Gen Khamis Al Kaabi, spokesman for the Identity and Citizenship Authority (ICA), set out the rules for UAE residents travelling abroad and for those who are trying to return:

The measures do not apply to Dubai, which has its own crisis authority and immigration service.

Rules for UAE residents going on holiday

Brig Gen Al Kaabi said:

– People travelling abroad this summer do not need to get tested before they travel to the airport for their departure flight.

– Both Emiratis and expats are strongly encouraged to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Tawajudi system, allowing officials to know which country they are in, and may be asked for it on departure. This is a tracking system - and separate to the ICA system that is used to bring residents home.

– All travellers should ensure they check the rules of the country they are visiting, in case they need to get tested before they fly.

– Once abroad, they must apply to the ICA's system to return and expect to show an approval number on their return. It is not possible to apply before you leave.

– UAE residents abroad - whether they are holidaymakers or seeking to return after being stuck after borders closed in March - must get tested in the country they are in before returning to the Emirates. A network of recognised clinics is listed here. In contrast to Dubai, tests are not conducted on landing at Abu Dhabi airport or other hubs.

– Despite flights opening up, Brig Al Kaabi said the federal government "does not recommend travelling during these times, unless necessary, and to check the requirements of the country of destination before travel".

Last week, Etihad Airways said it did not require passengers to show a negative Covid test nor ICA approval before they depart.

Expired visas

– The senior immigration official spoke after the UAE authorities on Friday reversed the decision to extend any residency visas that had expired during the outbreak.

– Visas are now being renewed again and residents whose documents have expired since March have three months to get their affairs in order, before fines are imposed from October 11.

– Residents who were stranded abroad when the borders closed on March 19 have one month when they land to renew their visa before they are fined.

Brig Al Kaabi said that may require new medical tests if they have been abroad.

Tourists returning

Dubai allowed tourists to return from July 7, issuing visas on arrival for the first time since early March.

The other emirates are yet to go ahead but are expected to in the coming weeks and months.

Brig Al Kaabi stressed that the government is keen to welcome back visitors, but that it would depend on the local and global pandemic situation.

He stressed that the rules remain the same for Emiratis and expats, and thanked people for their patience in difficult times.

Stranded abroad

"Members of society, whether expat or UAE nationals, are all our partners," he said.

"They have shown responsibility, through complying with regulations, and we promise to offer them the best services."

Tens of thousands of UAE residents who were stranded abroad when the borders closed in March have been gradually returning by applying to the ICA service.

But many, particularly those without relatives in the country, have been rejected, and to date stranded family members and people in vital sectors have been prioritised.

The authorities are expected to lift restrictions when daily infection numbers, which have run at about 500 per day in recent weeks, start to decline.

Dubai's rules for travel this summer

– Before you book your flight, you should apply to Dubai’s immigration service, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, for permission to return. You will be given a file number which must be entered on your visa. You don’t technically need this to leave the country – but you will need it to return. For peace of mind, you should apply before you go. If you are travelling abroad for more than 30 days, you must apply once you’re abroad and well before your return flight.

– If you are flying with Emirates Airline, you need a GDRFA number to book your outward-bound journey. Other airlines do not require this.

– As a Dubai visa-holder you are not required by the emirate’s government or airlines to be tested for Covid before you fly out.

– Despite this, many residents are paying the Dh370 cost of being tested as a precaution before they fly.

– All passengers are being tested on arrival in Dubai. Tourists have the option of taking a PCR-test up to 96 hours before flying to the UAE and presenting Dubai authorities with the negative certificate on arrival.

Dubai from the air - in pictures