India – Dubai route has always been one of the most popular international routes and things are looking up for travellers and airlines as the pandemic has mostly recedes in the background. Are you looking to travel to Dubai sometime soon? The UAE has recently loosened up some of its COVID rules, making it even easier to visit and move around the emirates.
When planning for your trip, make sure you book your flight tickets from the following airlines that serve routes from India to Dubai, such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir, Vistara, Air India, and IndiGo. Several international airlines, including Emirates and flydubai also offer frequent service on this route.
Latest PCR test requirements for Indian travellers to Dubai
Passengers traveling to Dubai from India must fulfill ONE of the below requirements:
Present a valid vaccination certificate(s) reflecting that the passenger is fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the WHO or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and includes a QR code, or
Present a valid negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate issued within 48 hours from the time of sample collection to the time of boarding and the certificate must be issued by an approved health service provider with a QR code, or
Present a valid medical certificate issued by the relevant authorities that the passenger has recovered from COVID‑19 within 1 month from the date of recovery to the date of arrival.
Note:
Printed or digital PCR test certificates or vaccination certificates are accepted in English or Arabic and must include a QR code. SMS certificates are not accepted.
COVID‑19 vaccination certificates without a QR code will be accepted for travel to Dubai as long as the vaccination certificate is issued by test centres/organisations recognised/approved by the national health authorities of the country.
COVID‑19 PCR test or vaccination certificates in other languages are acceptable if they can be validated at the departure point.
PCR tests must be based on a molecular diagnostic test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid for SARS‑COV‑2 viral RNA. Rapid antigen, antibody or any form of rapid lateral flow tests and home test kits will not be accepted.
NHS COVID‑19 test certificates for travel from the United Kingdom to Dubai will not be accepted.
The following categories are exempt from PCR test and vaccination requirements:
Children below 12 years old.
Passengers with moderate to severe disabilities: moderate or severe disability includes neurological disorders and intellectual or developmental disabilities. For example Acute spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Ataxia, Autism spectrum, Bell’s palsy, Brain tumours, Cerebral aneurysm, Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy and seizures.
All other passengers, including those who are visually impaired, hearing impaired or physically challenged must hold a negative COVID‑19 RT PCR test certificate as per the requirements.
At the airport, travellers from India must undergo an RT-PCR test to detect COVID-19 on arrival in Dubai (only if requested) and quarantine themselves until they receive a negative result. Passengers who test positive must follow the guidelines issued by Dubai Health Authority.