The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, announced the beginning of movement through land ports from November 16.

A joint statement issued on November 13 by the three authorities said that citizens of the Sultanate of Oman do not require prior approval to enter the country through land ports.

Omani citizens are required to present a negative PCR test result, provided the pre-examination is from accredited laboratories in their country, and that the validity period of the test does not exceed 48 hours from the date of the test.

They also need to conduct a COVID-19 test at the ports upon arrival and follow all preventive and precautionary measures according to the approved protocols, as well as instal the Al Hosn application for tracking. A PCR test is obligatory on the fourth day if they have stayed for four consecutive days in the UAE.

The ICA noted that the quarantine procedures for visitors coming into the country will be in accordance with the local procedures followed in the various emirates.

In case a person is tested at the port and the result is positive, procedures for denial of entry will be applied, according to international rules and regulations.

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The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) announced on September 24 that it has resumed issuing entry permits into the country. However, work permits are still on hold.

The decision is meant to ease restrictions and strengthen the state’s efforts towards supporting recovery plans of the country’s tourism sector and economy. Precautionary measures undertaken by the travel industry to reduce the spread of COVID-19 will be followed.

The issuance of visas, with the exception of those for diplomatic passport holders, had been suspended since March as part of the country’s efforts to combat the spread of the virus.
Dubai, which has its own immigration service and crisis authority, allowed tourists to return in early June.

In Abu Dhabi, all arrivals must quarantine in their homes or a hotel room for 14 days. Last week, the authorities said travellers can expect to be fitted with an electronic tag on arrival to monitor their location for two weeks.

In Sharjah, visa on arrival is back and officials said the emirate would test all passengers on arrival. Tourists must stay in their hotel rooms until they receive their results through a text message or app notification. They can move around freely if the result is negative.

“Travel is now permitted for all citizens and residents through the ports of Sharjah to or from any destinations. However, all travellers must assess the Covid-19 situation of the countries they are planning to visit. Both tourists and residents must ensure they have adequate health insurance,” said the Sharjah Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Committee.

All travellers to the various emirates must take a PCR nasal swab test before boarding their flights in their home country.

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As September 11 nears, holders of expired visit visas in the UAE have been alerted by the
(ICA) to exit the country in four days.

Holders of UAE visit or tourist visas that expired after March 1, 2020, were given a month from August 11 to exit the country without paying fines. The grace period is coming to an end now.

In July this year, the UAE government had cancelled the previous decision to extend the visit or tourist visas until end of December 2020 since it was considered that people would not be able to travel due to the pandemic-related travel restrictions.

On its Twitter account, ICA had said in August that the extension was part of the national initiative and in line with the UAE Cabinet’s decisions and regulations.

The tweet announcing the grace period stated: “The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship extends the grace period for holders of expiring entry permits, starting from 11/8/2020 for a period of one month, with the aim of enabling them to leave the country with exemption from all fines during this period.”

ICA called holders of expired visit or tourist visas to change their status or leave the country during the grace period.

The UAE government official website stipulates that if a tourist or visitor overstays beyond the grace period, he or she will be levied a fine of Dh200 for the first day of overstay and Dh100 for each consecutive day, besides a Dh100 service fee.

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For Indian residents who are planning to return to the UAE, a valid pre-departure General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) approval is required if his/her destination is Dubai or Sharjah, according to a leading airline.

Air India Express has said that passengers need a Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) approval to enter any other airport in the country.  According to the FAQs posted on the Air India Express blog for travellers on the India-UAE sector, the airline has said only resident permit holders can book tickets on these flights.

All passengers landing in Abu Dubai, Dubai and Sharjah must have a negative COVID-19 test result from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-approved laboratories. The UAE government has permitted entry into the country for a limited period between July 12 and July 26. A UAE resident permit holder returning to Dubai should carry:

(i) A valid ICA or GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs) approval if you are going to Dubai;

(ii) A valid Negative COVID-19 PCR test report from a government-approved laboratory;

(iii) Health Declaration and Quarantine Undertaking forms to be filled and submitted at the Dubai Airport on arrival and;

(iv) A downloaded COVID-19 – DXB Smart App.

However, passengers with expired ICA/ GDRFA approval will not be accepted at check-in. If you are a resident permit holder returning to Abu Dhabi you should carry all of the above and also must have an ICA approval. A passenger returning to Sharjah must carry all the above documents, but approval can be from ICA or GDRFA.

A valid Negative COVID-19 PCR test report from a government-approved laboratory, no older than 96 hours prior to departure, is mandatory for travel to Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

When you arrive in Dubai, you must take a PCR test at the airport and remain in your residence until you receive the test result. If the test result is positive, you will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelin

PCR testing and temperature screening is in operation at Abu Dhabi airport and in Sharjah, PCR testing is undertaken on arrival. Another important point to note is that currently, only resident permit holders returning to UAE are allowed to travel for a limited period from July 12 to July 26 from India.

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