Dubai eases restrictions for travellers from India, Nigeria & South Africa

The new travel regulations are effective from 23 June, when Emirates resumes flights

Dubai has announced updated travel requirements for passengers coming from India, South Africa and Nigeria, effective from 23 June.

Travelling from India
The Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management has announced that passengers from India, who have a valid UAE residence visa and have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine, are allowed to travel to Dubai. Passengers will also need to present a negative QR-coded PCR test certificate taken 48 hours before departure from India, unless they are a UAE national. In addition, all passengers from India will be required to undergo a rapid PCR test four hours prior to departure to Dubai and must also undergo another PCR test on arrival in Dubai.

Following arrival, passengers from India will have to remain in institutional quarantine until they receive their PCR test result; however, UAE citizens and diplomats are exempt from institutional quarantine.

Travellers from South Africa and Nigeria
Travellers from South Africa who have received two doses of a UAE-approved vaccine will also be allowed to enter Dubai. All passengers, with the exception of UAE nationals, must present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours before departure to Dubai. Passengers must also undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai and transit passengers will have to comply with entry protocols of final destinations.

The above rules also apply to all passengers arriving from Nigeria, who with the exception of UAE citizens, must present a negative test result for a PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure. 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 then undergo a PCR test on arrival in Dubai.

The committee said in a statement that the updated travel protocols are part of a “regular process of revising and optimising precautionary measures based on the latest local, regional and international developments”.

Emirates has also confirmed it will resume operations to the three countries from 23 June. A statement from the airline said: “Emirates welcomes the latest protocols and measures announced by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management to allow the safe resumption of passenger travel from South Africa, Nigeria and India to Dubai and onwards. We thank the Supreme Committee for their continuous efforts in monitoring the development of the situation and announcing the appropriate guidelines and protocols to protect the community and safeguard the travel sector.”