UAE Residents Need Approval Before Going Abroad This Summer

COVID-19 test, however, will not be mandatory when leaving the emirate

The UAE has gone to great lengths to slowly and steadily bring back a sense of normalcy for both its residents and citizens alike. And while everyone appears to be in desperate need of a holiday, after months of being cooped up in lockdown, a new process has been put in place by the UAE government to ensure the health and safety of all who travel abroad.

According to Arabian Business, residents now need permission to travel outside of the country, be it for work or for leisure purposes and plan on returning to Dubai.

This only applies to residents who plan on returning to Dubai, as it appears expats who plan to return back to their home countries for good won’t need to follow the same process.

Before booking their outbound flights, travelers must submit an online application to Dubai’s immigration service, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). If granted permission they will be allocated a reference number, which will allow them to book a flight ticket online or via an airline staff member. 

To make this process smoother Emirates Airlines has allowed passengers to apply through their website or via their contact centers. The airline has also said residents do not need a Covid-19 test to leave the emirate, but passengers must be aware of and meet the travel requirements of the country they are travelling to, according to Arabian Business.

Every passenger flying into or returning to Dubai from abroad is required to fill in a health declaration form and a quarantine undertaking form.

Lead image courtesy of Instagram/emirates via jonny_m_photography