UAE allows return of residents with vaccines recognised by the WHO

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The UAE will allow the return of all those with a valid residence visa from September 12, provided they have a vaccine recognised by the World Health Organisation.

The move includes those coming from countries previously on a suspension list, and those who stayed abroad for more than six months.

The latest change opens up travel to residence visa holders from the listed countries, who were not vaccinated in the Emirates.

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

Authorities stressed the previous rules for unvaccinated, including exempted categories, remain in place.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority outlined several arrival requirements, including:

- passengers should 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

- a negative PCR test result, done within 48 hours before departure at an approved lab that has a QR code presented before departure

- undertaking a rapid PCR test before boarding, and another PCR test on the fourth and eighth day after arrival while complying with all precautionary measures in place

- children under 16 years are exempt from the procedures

Rules for visit visas

Passengers from any country looking to travel to the UAE were permitted to apply for a visit visa from August 30, provided they were fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved shot.

The approved list includes the AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines.

Dubai, which sets its own immigration and coronavirus rules, does not require residents to be vaccinated to return.

They must, however, first obtain approval from either the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) or General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs before they are permitted to travel.