News

UAE eases travel restrictions for passengers from India

4 Aug 2021 by Business Traveller India
Indian aviation

UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have announced that entry to the UAE will be allowed for some categories of passengers from countries where inbound flights to the Emirates have been banned.

The exemption will be applicable to certain categories of passengers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda, as of August 5, 2021.

Categories include:

  • Those with valid residency visas who received the two doses of vaccine in the UAE, and 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose as well as having vaccination certificates approved by official authorities in the country.
  • Medical personnel working in the country including doctors, nurses, technicians.
  • Those working in the educational sector who teach in universities, colleges, schools and institutes.
  • Students studying in the country, people who deserve humanitarian consideration with valid residency visa, workers in federal and local government authorities, and cases of those completing treatment in the country, whether they are vaccinated or not, will also be exempted.

Travellers under the aforementioned categories need to submit a request on the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to obtain the necessary approvals, in addition to vaccination certificates certified by the concerned authorities in the country.

The exempted groups need to submit a prior PCR test within (48) hours from the date of departure, provided that the tests are from accredited laboratories and carry a QR Code, and that laboratory test is conducted before boarding the plane.

Upon arrival, travellers are required to follow precautionary measures including quarantine and PCR checks upon and after arrival, along with follow-up and health monitoring.

Previously, the GCAA exempted official delegations and businessmen, subject to obtaining prior approval, as well as golden and silver residency holders. It also exempted holders of essential jobs according to the classification of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), and foreign aircraft crews, provided that a negative PCR test was obtained within 48 hours of departure and upon arrival, and adhere to the quarantine period.

The UAE has also lifted ban on transit flights from India and other nations.

An official release by NCEMA reads, “Travel will also resume for transit passengers from all countries from which transit passengers were previously banned, provided that the traveller’s last destination is accepted and a laboratory PCR test is submitted within (72) hours from the time of departure. The country’s airports will allocate special lounges for transit passengers while taking all precautionary and preventive measures.”

NCEMA UAE tweeted:

ncema.gov.ae

Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls