Vaccine certificates not required to fly to Dubai on Emirates and Indian airlines

The UAE airline  Emirates announced that Dubai-bound passengers from the countries India,Nepal,Nigeria,Pakistan,Sri Lanka and Uganda will no longer require  Covid-19 vaccine certificates to fly into Dubai.

According to Gulf News, Indian airlines such as Air India, Air India Express and Vistara are also confirmed the new change and said they were expecting new guidelines from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

“Based on the new guidelines given by the DCAA, airlines need to look for only the return permit from GDRFA and two valid negative PCR reports. Airlines have not been asked to check the vaccination status of the passengers,” PP Singh, regional manager for Air India and Air India Express told Gulf News.

Indian full-service carrier Vistara also said “Regardless of vaccination status, customers will be welcomed on Vistara flights to Dubai.”

As per the previous guidelines, the residence-visa holders from theses countries who got vaccinated in the UAE, and had vaccination certificates issued by the UAE authorities were allowed to travel from these countries unless they were in an exempted category.

However, Ethihad airlines has not changed their guidelines that passengers who travel on Ethihad to UAE required vaccination certificate boarding.

Revised Guidelines For UAE Passengers

All passengers with a valid UAE residence visa are allowed to travel to and through Dubai from these countries, provided they comply with the following:

• Dubai visa holders must apply for pre entry approval through General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
• Passengers must have a valid COVID-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours between the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure. Only COVID 19 PCR test reports from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report will be accepted.
• Passengers must complete a COVID-19 PCR rapid test 4 hours before the departure of their flight. (Rapid antigen test will not be accepted).
• Passengers must complete a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.
• UAE Nationals are exempted from the above requirements but subject to COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Dubai.