Visa holders from India, Sri Lanka and South Africa can return.
Those with a valid residence visa will be allowed to return to the UAE from 12 September, provided they have had a vaccine recognised by the World Health Organisation.
The move announced today (Saturday 10 September) by The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) includes those passengers coming from countries previously on the suspension list and those residents who stayed abroad for more than six months.
#NCEMA & ICA: Permitting to return of fully vaccinated with #WHO approved vaccines- holders of valid UAE residence visa coming from the countries previously on the suspended list, starting from 12 September 2021. pic.twitter.com/BgkJ8yT0GX
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) September 10, 2021
The change also enables residence visa holders who were not vaccinated in the UAE to travel from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
The NCEMA also stressed that there would be several requirements for passengers to fulfil before entering the UAE including a negative PCR test result done within 48 hours before departure at an approved lab that has a QR code presented before departure; a rapid PCR test to be taken before boarding; and another PCR test to be conducted on the fourth and eighth day after arrival.
Passengers should also apply via the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), and complete the vaccination application to get the necessary approval in addition to presenting the approved vaccination certification upon departure for the UAE.
Children under 16 years old are exempt from the above requirements.
The news follows the relaxation of rules on quarantine for vaccinated travellers entering Abu Dhabi on 30 August.
The approved of COVID-19 jabs include AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines.
For all the latest news, keep your eye on Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life.
