Travellers flying to Abu Dhabi from Bahrain will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival. Unsplash
Travellers flying to Abu Dhabi from Bahrain will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival. Unsplash
Travellers flying to Abu Dhabi from Bahrain will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival. Unsplash
Travellers flying to Abu Dhabi from Bahrain will no longer need to quarantine upon arrival. Unsplash

Bahrain added to Abu Dhabi's 'green list' of quarantine-free countries


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

Bahrain has been added to Abu Dhabi's updated list of countries and destinations from which travellers can enter the emirate without the need to go into quarantine.

In the most up-to-date review of the 'green list' of countries, regions and territories that require no quarantine in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain is the latest addition.

Originally published in December, the list is updated at least every two weeks with the most recent change taking place on Saturday, January 16.

Abu Dhabi's green list of countries and destinations details from where travellers can enter the emirate without the need to go into quarantine. Christopher Pike / The National
Abu Dhabi's green list of countries and destinations details from where travellers can enter the emirate without the need to go into quarantine. Christopher Pike / The National

There are now a total of 18 destinations where travellers can visit from without needing to quarantine. They are:

  • Bahrain
  • Brunei
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Isle of Man
  • Kuwait
  • Macao
  • Mauritius
  • Mongolia
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Taipei
  • Thailand

Prior to Bahrain's addition, other Gulf countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait had been added to the original list.

Visit this page for a complete guide to all the destinations on Abu Dhabi's green list.

Inclusion in Abu Dhabi's travel list is dependent on the latest developments regarding a country’s Covid-19 protocols and guidelines. All international travellers to Abu Dhabi must present a negative PCR test result and take a second PCR test upon entering the capital.

Travellers from ‘green’ destinations do not need to isolate once they receive a negative test result. Travellers from other countries need to self-isolate for 10 days.

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The world's most powerful passports in 2021

  • 1. Japan is ranked number 1 in the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index. The country offers citizens visa-free travel to 191 countries across the world. All images from Unsplash
    1. Japan is ranked number 1 in the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index. The country offers citizens visa-free travel to 191 countries across the world. All images from Unsplash
  • 2. Singapore is ranked in second place.
    2. Singapore is ranked in second place.
  • 3. South Korea took the third spot alongside Germany.
    3. South Korea took the third spot alongside Germany.
  • 3. Germany also ranked third with citizens able to travel to 189 countries visa-free.
    3. Germany also ranked third with citizens able to travel to 189 countries visa-free.
  • 4. Finland shares fourth place with three other countries.
    4. Finland shares fourth place with three other countries.
  • 4. Italy allows travellers access to 188 destinations.
    4. Italy allows travellers access to 188 destinations.
  • 4. Luxembourg also ranked fourth.
    4. Luxembourg also ranked fourth.
  • 4. Spain also ranked fourth.
    4. Spain also ranked fourth.
  • 5. Austria tied for fifth place.
    5. Austria tied for fifth place.
  • 5. Denmark and Austria's passports allow visits to 187 countries visa-free..
    5. Denmark and Austria's passports allow visits to 187 countries visa-free..
  • 6. Ireland shares the number six slot.
    6. Ireland shares the number six slot.
  • 6. France joins Ireland with a score of 186.
    6. France joins Ireland with a score of 186.
  • 6. The Netherlands
    6. The Netherlands
  • 6. Portugal
    6. Portugal
  • 6. Sweden
    6. Sweden
  • 7. The US has slipped to seventh place.
    7. The US has slipped to seventh place.
  • 7. The UK ranks in seventh position but this doesn't take into account temporary restrictions in place for UK passport holders.
    7. The UK ranks in seventh position but this doesn't take into account temporary restrictions in place for UK passport holders.
  • 7. Belgium also ties for seventh place.
    7. Belgium also ties for seventh place.
  • 7. Norway
    7. Norway
  • 7. New Zealand
    7. New Zealand
  • 7. Switzerland
    7. Switzerland
  • 8. The Czech Republic ties in eighth position.
    8. The Czech Republic ties in eighth position.
  • 8. Australia
    8. Australia
  • 8. Greece
    8. Greece
  • 8. Malta
    8. Malta
  • 9. Canada is the ninth most powerful passport in the world in 2021.
    9. Canada is the ninth most powerful passport in the world in 2021.
  • 10. Hungary ranked in 10th place with access to 182 countries for its passport holders.
    10. Hungary ranked in 10th place with access to 182 countries for its passport holders.
  • 11. Iceland ranks 11th allowing passport holders access to 181 destinations visa-free.
    11. Iceland ranks 11th allowing passport holders access to 181 destinations visa-free.
  • 11. Lithuania and three other countries share the 11th spot.
    11. Lithuania and three other countries share the 11th spot.
  • 11. Poland
    11. Poland
  • 11. Slovakia
    11. Slovakia
  • 12. Latvia has visa-free access to 180 countries.
    12. Latvia has visa-free access to 180 countries.
  • 12. Slovenia pairs with Latvia.
    12. Slovenia pairs with Latvia.
  • 13. Estonia is ranked in 13th place.
    13. Estonia is ranked in 13th place.
  • 14. Liechtenstein ranks next with visa-free access to 178 countries for passport holders.
    14. Liechtenstein ranks next with visa-free access to 178 countries for passport holders.
  • 14. Malaysia shares the 14th spot.
    14. Malaysia shares the 14th spot.
  • 15. Chile ties in 15th position.
    15. Chile ties in 15th position.
  • 15. Cyprus allows travellers to go to 174 countries without a visa.
    15. Cyprus allows travellers to go to 174 countries without a visa.
  • 15. Monaco
    15. Monaco
  • 16. The UAE ranked 16th and was the only country to broker notable new visa-free travel waivers during the pandemic.
    16. The UAE ranked 16th and was the only country to broker notable new visa-free travel waivers during the pandemic.
  • 17. Romania ranks 17th.
    17. Romania ranks 17th.
  • 18. Croatia shared spot 18 with Bulgaria and a score of 171.
    18. Croatia shared spot 18 with Bulgaria and a score of 171.
  • 18. Bulgaria
    18. Bulgaria
  • 19. Argentina
    19. Argentina
  • 19. Brazil
    19. Brazil
  • 19. Hong Kong
    19. Hong Kong
  • 20. San Marino rounds out the top 20.
    20. San Marino rounds out the top 20.
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

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Power: 819hp

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One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia

When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start

Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1

Tickets: Admission is free

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle

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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Mina Cup winners

Under 12 – Minerva Academy

Under 14 – Unam Pumas

Under 16 – Fursan Hispania

Under 18 – Madenat

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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RESULT

Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')