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Fully vaccinated visa holders can fly from India to Dubai

Tough travel restrictions begin to ease

by Time Out Editors

Fully vaccinated holders of a residence visa will be allowed to fly into the UAE from India as of Wednesday June 23.

Flights between the two countries had been frozen until Tuesday July 6 following an ongoing hiatus that has seen services grounded since Saturday April 24.

But authorities have given the green light for residents to return home as of this week – subject to robust health and safety measures.

The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai said that only those with a valid residence visa who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine (Pfizer, Sinopharm, Sputnik V and Oxford-AstraZeneca) are allowed to touchdown in the emirate.

Passengers will also need to present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours before departure, although UAE nationals are exempted from this requirement.

Only QR-coded certificates are being accepted by travel authorities.

As another layer of security, passengers are also required to undergo a rapid PCR test four hours prior to departure, and will take another on arrival here in Dubai.

After touching down, passengers will need to go into quarantine until they receive their test result, which is expected within 24 hours. UAE citizens and diplomats are exempt from this part of the process.

Fresh protocol is also being introduced for services from South Africa. Travellers who have received both doses of a UAE-approved vaccine are cleared to enter Dubai.

They must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure to Dubai, and again UAE nationals are exempt from this procedure.

Passengers must also undergo a PCR test on arrival. Transit passengers should comply with entry protocols of final destinations.

Meanwhile, services from Nigeria are also coming back into operation.

Passengers must present a negative test result for a PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure (UAE citizens are exempt).

The negative PCR test certificate should carry a QR code and the test must have been conducted by labs approved by the Nigerian Government.

Passengers must also undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai. Transit passengers will need to adhere to entry protocols of final destinations.

Don’t forget to double check before travelling – in such a rapidly changing situation, travel advice changes from day to day.

For the latest travel industry developments stick close to timeoutdubai.com/travel.