UAE eases travel rules for Pakistan, 5 other nations

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has again revised its travel rules for its residents living in Pakistan and five other countries and exempted them from carrying the Covid-19 vaccination certificate while flying into Dubai.

According to the travel advisory issued by national flag carrier, Emirates, passengers from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda, having a valid UAE residence visa will be permitted to travel to and through Dubai. However, the passengers from these states will be required to seek pre-entry approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

The travellers will also be required to have a valid Covid-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours between the time of sample collection and scheduled flight departure.

Only Covid-19 PCR test reports from certified labs that issue a QR code linked to the original report will be accepted.

Travellers will also need to undergo a Covid-19 PCR rapid test four hours before the departure of their flight, which will be once again carried out upon their arrival in Dubai. It was further said that Rapid Antigen Test will not be accepted.

The advisory maintained that UAE nationals were exempted from the new travel advisory, but would have to undertake a Covid‑19 PCR test upon their arrival in Dubai.

It noted that all other passengers, except UAE nationals, who had been in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Uganda in the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter Dubai.