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Travel Advisory Level 1: Exercise Normal Caution Travel Advisory Level 1: Exercise normal precautions in in the United Arab Emirates, Read More...
COVID-19 Information
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24 MINUTE READ
November 8, 2021

Last updated: 11/08/2021

*** Effective November 8, 2021, all nonimmigrant, non-U.S. citizen air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States.

U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are eligible to travel but are not fully vaccinated will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of their flight departure. U.S citizens and LPRs who are fully vaccinated will need to present airlines with proof of vaccination and of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their flight departure.

Exemptions will be considered on an extremely limited basis. Please contact your nearest embassy or consulate to apply for an exemption. Please visit the CDC webpages for more information about the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, exemptions and the requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.

Country-Specific Information

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Reconsider Travel Health Notice for the UAE due to COVID-19. To learn more, read the latest here. The Government of the UAE has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, including enhanced screening and quarantine measures and limiting large gatherings. Individuals should continue to be vigilant and wear masks, while practicing appropriate social distancing.

COVID-19 Testing 

  • Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in the United Arab Emirates? Yes
  • If so, are test results reliably available within 72 hours? Yes
  • U.S. Citizens can obtain a COVID-19 test throughout the UAE at private facilities and official government health centers. U.S. Citizens are responsible for their testing expenses.
  • Test results are usually sent via text message or email and the Al-Hosn App.
  • More information on testing in the UAE is available at the following links:
  • Information on limited humanitarian exemptions to CDC’s requirement that all U.S. bound travelers present a negative COVID test is available here  .  Humanitarian exemptions to this order will be granted on an extremely limited basis and will only be considered when the country of departure lacks adequate COVID-19 testing capacity. To submit information in support of an exemption, email AbuDhabiACS@state.gov (those in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain) or DubaiACS@state.gov (those in Dubai and the Northern Emirates).

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

  • Has the government of the United Arab Emirates approved a COVID-19 vaccine for use? Yes
  • Are vaccines available in the United Arab Emirates for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes, but only residents may receive it. The COVID-19 vaccine is not available for visitors.
  • Which vaccines are available in the United Arab Emirates?  There are four vaccines available in the United Arab Emirates for use on eligible individuals against the COVID-19 infection: Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik V, and Oxford-AstraZeneca.  Additional information on accessing the vaccine in the U.A.E. is available here. 
  • Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines   in the United States.
  • The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Information from the CDC regarding COVID-19 vaccinations is available here  .

Entry and Exit Requirements

  • Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes.
    • Dubai and Abu Dhabi governments are issuing tourist visas. U.S. citizens may receive a tourist visa on arrival, typically valid for 30 days. Please consult the UAE Embassy in the United States    for additional information.
  • Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.
  • All travelers from the US to the UAE must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within a maximum of 72 hours prior to their flight departure. Travelers should check with the airline for the latest information on COVID testing.  Post-arrival COVID testing is also required and regulations vary depending on vaccination status and the country from which one arrives; the latest information is available from official sources .
  • Children under the age of 12 and those with severe and moderate disabilities may be exempted from the test requirement. Travelers should consult the airline regarding testing and travel requirements.
  • Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes
  • For information on visa extensions, please visit official government sources for tourist visas    and residence visas.   
  • As the situation is rapidly changing, please visit official sources    for the latest information. Further information on steps to take before travel can be found on the websites of the Government of Dubai    and Government of Abu Dhabi.    In addition, consult with your airline or the UAE’s national airlines, Etihad    and Emirates,    for the latest requirements before boarding your flight. For information on restrictions in Abu Dhabi, see the Department of Tourism and Culture website   .
  • ICA registration is mandatory for travel to Abu Dhabi unless you are a UAE national.  Please visit the UAE Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship  and the Etihad  websites for additional information.

Movement Restrictions

  • Is a curfew in place? No
  • Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes
  • Abu Dhabi introduced a COVID-19 green pass system, the Al Hosn   app, on June 15, 2021.  Travelers entering Abu Dhabi emirate at a land-border crossing must have a green status on the Al Hosn app.  In order to obtain green status, one must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR test within the last 30 days.  
  • Abu Dhabi requires people to show their testing and vaccination status to enter public venues, including parks, beaches, malls, hotels, gyms, cafés, restaurants, and large supermarkets.  The Al Hosn app also facilitates contact tracing to reduce the spread of the virus.
  • Information on the Al Hosn app and how to download it is available here.   
  • Visitors and residents who received vaccines outside of the UAE may be able to register their vaccine by visiting ica.gov.ae   or by requesting a COVID-19 vaccine exemption. Information on exemptions is available here.  
  • Further information on the Al Hosn app is available at:

Quarantine Information

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? It depends on the country from which one is arriving and vaccination status.
    • Quarantine requirements differ depending on Emirate, COVID-19 testing results, and additional government guidance.  Please see official guidance from Etihad Airlines   and UAE government sources  on quarantine requirements in Abu Dhabi.
    • Residents and visitors arriving in Abu Dhabi who are subject to quarantine receive a wristband, which tracks their geographical location and movements, as part of the UAE’s effort to enforce isolation and reduce the spread of COVID-19.
    • The United States is currently not a “green list” country. Passengers coming directly from the United States to Abu Dhabi must quarantine unless vaccinated.
    • Passengers arriving in Dubai may not need to quarantine, assuming a negative PCR test. Please see official guidance from Emirates Airlines.
    • U.S. citizens are required to pay any related quarantine costs. Additional information on quarantine can be found via UAE official sources   . For information on quarantine restrictions in Abu Dhabi, see the Department of Tourism and Culture website   .

Transportation Options

  • Are commercial flights operating? Yes
  • Is public transportation operating? Yes
    • Masks are required while using public transportation. The Government of Dubai has issued additional guidance    when using public transportation. For information on public transportation options in the UAE during COVID-19, please visit official sources.   

Fines for Non-Compliance

  • The UAE Attorney General announced that individuals failing to follow rules and regulations to curb the spread of COVID-19 will face additional fines varying from 1,000-100,000 Emirati dirhams. Fines and regulations may change regularly. Please see UAE official sources    and media sources    for details.

Consular Operations

  • What ACS services are being offered?
    • The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and U.S. Consulate General in Dubai are offering American Citizen Services (ACS) appointments for routine services including minor passport renewals, notaries, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs), and first-time adult passport applications. To schedule an appointment, please use the online appointment system for U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi    or U.S. Consulate General Dubai   .
    • Visit this link for more information on renewing adult passports from home and emergency requests.
  • What visa services are being offered?
    • Due to the significant challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, routine nonimmigrant visa services remain suspended. U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai are only processing very limited nonimmigrant visas for the public, including B1/B2 Temporary Visitor Visas, for urgent travel only, such as travel for critical medical needs.  For F, M, or J student visas, appointments are available as needed to ensure that students can travel in advance of program start dates.  For instructions regarding scheduling and requesting expedited nonimmigrant visa appointments, please visit our website   .
    • Individuals with a valid or expired nonimmigrant visa, with an expiration in the previous 36 months, may apply by mail for a renewal of the same visa classification. Visit our online appointment service    to apply and pay the application fees.
    • U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi has resumed routine immigrant visa processing services on a limited basis.  Further information regarding immigrant visa processing at Embassy Abu Dhabi, can be found here.   
    • Please see these notices which contain detailed information about the current status of visa services worldwide and visa restrictions related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
    • Previously-paid visa application fees (MRV fees) will remain valid until September 30, 2022.

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