Abu Dhabi Updates International Entry Guidelines

Abu Dhabi is set to lift the mandatory quarantine requirements for all fully vaccinated tourists and residents traveling from around the world, as well as unvaccinated visitors from “Green List” countries. The updated international entry guidelines, recently announced by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, take effect from September 5, and require the vaccines to be approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Under the new guidelines, vaccinated travelers from from “Green List” countries will be required to show a negative PCR test taken a maximum of 48 hours before departure and take a PCR test at the airport on arrival. They will not need to quarantine but will be required to take one more PCR test on Day Six. Their hotel will arrange testing on the premises, for their convenience.

Vaccinated travelers arriving from countries not on the “Green List” will be required to show a negative PCR test taken a maximum of 48 hours before departure and take a PCR test at the airport on arrival. They will not need to quarantine but will be required to take two more PCR tests on Day Four and Day Eight. In this case, as well, the hotel will arrange testing on the premises.

Unvaccinated travelers arriving from “Green List” countries will also be exempt from quarantine measures. They will be required to show a negative PCR test taken a maximum of 48 hours before departure, and take a PCR test on arrival. They will also need to take a PCR test on Day Six and another on Day Nine.

Unvaccinated travelers arriving from countries not on the “Green List” will be required to show a negative PCR test taken a maximum of 48 hours before departure and take a PCR test on arrival. They will be required to quarantine for 10 days at home or in a hotel. They then must take a PCR test on Day Nine; if negative, visitors can end their quarantine on day 10.

To further protect community members and travelers in the emirate, Abu Dhabi implemented a “Green Pass” protocol on August 20, enabling only those that are fully vaccinated, officially exempted or under 16 years of age to access key public places and attractions.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has outlined a simple process to enable tourists to register their international vaccination certificate or vaccination exemption document for verification five days before their travel date, via the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) Smart app or via ica.gov.ae. Applicants will receive a text confirmation that will include a link to the Alhosn app, which must be downloaded prior to travel. The Alhosn app displays users’ vaccination status and PCR test results, which are required to activate the Abu Dhabi Green Pass.

Upon arrival, travelers will receive a Unified ID number, from airport immigration, or via the ICA Smart app or website; this will complete the registration on the Alhosn app. Children under 12 and People of Determination (POD) with moderate and severe disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing.

For more information, visit www.visitabudhabi.ae.

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