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UAE allows entry of vaccinated residents who have been outside of the country for over six months

Incoming residents must apply via the ICA website and complete the vaccination application in order to get necessary approvals

by Varun Godinho

September 12, 2021

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) said that starting from Sunday, September 12, it will permit the return of fully vaccinated holders of valid UAE residence visas coming from countries which were previously on its travel suspension list.

The decision applies to passengers from 15 countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

The ICA and NCEMA said that those who are fully vaccinated with any WHO-approved vaccines and who have been staying in one of the countries in the suspended list for more than six months since suspension decision was issued for each country, can also now come to the country under a new entry permit, and rectify their status after entry.

#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

Incoming residents must first apply via the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and complete the vaccination application in order to get the necessary approvals, in addition to presenting the approved vaccination certificate upon departure for the UAE.

A negative PCR test result, done within 48 hours before departure at an approved lab and with a certificate that has a QR code, must also be presented before departure.

They must also undertake a rapid PCR test before boarding and another PCR test on the fourth and eighth day of arrival while complying with all precautionary measures in place.

Children under 16 years old are exempt from these procedures.

The two authorities added that all other previously announced precautionary measures for unvaccinated people coming from previously banned countries remain in place.