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Travel Advisory Level 3: Reconsider Travel Travel Advisory Level 3: Reconsider travel to the United Arab Emirates due to the threat of missile or drone attacks. Read More...
COVID-19 Information
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23 MINUTE READ
May 12, 2022

Last updated: 05/12/2022

*** All air passengers two (2) years or older, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), with a flight departing to the US from a foreign country are required to show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than one (1) day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, before they board their flight.

*** 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.

Exceptions 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, exceptions     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

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 one calendar day? Yes.
  • U.S. citizens departing the UAE should confirm PCR test regulations with their airline(s) and local authorities at their destination before commencing their travel.
  • 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.
  • It is not possible to obtain a pre-departure COVID-19 test at the airport in Abu Dhabi.  Dubai International Airport has devoted a section of the Terminal Three Departures Hall to COVID-19 testing. They conduct COVID-19 RT PCR tests, with results normally returning in three (3) to six (6) hours. The Dubai International Airport recommends that departing travelers arrive five (5) to six (6) hours before departure if they wish to take the test at the airport. Travelers should be aware and take this into consideration when making travel arrangements.
  • 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  COVID-19 vaccines free of charge; visitors may receive COVID vaccines at any SEHA vaccination center    for a cost of AED 370, but only if it is their first dose.
  • 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 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

Movement Restrictions

Quarantine Information

  • Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No.
    • U.S. citizens in the United Arab Emirates are subject to the health and safety policies of the local government.  Quarantine requirements for individuals exposed to COVID-19 or who test positive vary depending on the emirate.  These requirements may include quarantine in a government-operated facility, private residence, or hotel.  Furthermore, these quarantine requirements may apply to individuals who test positive at any point while present in the UAE, including individuals who test positive prior to a scheduled departure flight from the UAE to the United States.  U.S. citizens may be required to pay all related quarantine costs, including flight disruptions. Additional information on quarantine rules can be found via UAE official sources    .

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 and Services

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