Abu Dhabi has significantly expanded its Green List, with the addition of 13 new countries that residents can travel to without having to quarantine upon their return. The Green List, which was updated on Tuesday, now features 35 countries, with the addition of Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Canada, France, Hungary, Jordan, the Netherlands, Ireland, Romania, Seychelles, Turkmenistan and the Vatican City.
But which countries can UAE travellers actually visit?
Albania
One of the last unexplored corners of Europe, Albania offers a dynamic capital city, a rugged coastline and its own Alps.
Founded in 1614, the Albanian capital of Tirana is home to countless museums, galleries and historical attractions, including the Et`hem Bey Mosque and the Kulla e Sahatit, or Watch Tower. The Albanian Alps, also evocatively known as the Accursed Mountains, are home to the national parks of Thethi, Valbona and the region of Kelmendi, and offer stunning hiking opportunities amid deep green valleys, dense forests and picturesque villages.
Albania has been receiving foreign visitors since June 2020, with no entry requirements. A PCR test is not needed to enter the country.
However, the government has implemented a curfew, restricting movement throughout the country between 12 midnight and 6am. Nightclubs are currently closed, and bars and restaurants must observe the curfew. Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors, and gatherings of more than 10 people are banned.
Flydubai currently flies to the Tirana, with a flying time of five hours and 25 minutes. Economy class tickets cost from Dh2,005
Armenia
Armenia is welcoming visitors, as long as they can provide a negative PCR test certificate taken within 72 hours of arrival, or a vaccination certificate proving they have received their second dose at least 14 days prior to travel.
A mountainous country in the South Caucasus, Armenia is home to plenty of dramatic scenery – from rolling valleys, extinct volcanoes, desert landscapes and alpine meadows, to rapid rivers and Lake Sevan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Eurasia.
Adventure seekers can take part in canyoning and caving, while culture buffs can spend their days exploring the country’s capital, Yerevan, which is considered to be one of the oldest constantly inhabited cities in the world. It packs in more than 2,800 years worth of history, from the ancient Erebuni Fortress, built in 782 BC, and the famed Republic Square, home to the History Museum of Armenia and the National Art Gallery, to its striking Soviet-era architecture. A stroll around the city will also serve up the Opera House, Vernissage flea market and Cascade, a colossal structure made of 572 stairs constructed from ivory-coloured stone.
Economy tickets with flydubai start from Dh1,080. Flying time is three hours and 10 minutes. Etihad also flies direct to Yerevan.
France
From Paris's famed shopping avenues to the laid-back resorts of the Cote d'Azur, France’s many attractions have long been popular with UAE travellers. But only those that are vaccinated will be able to enjoy them this summer.
France has introduced a traffic light system that divides countries into three tiers, with different rules for vaccinated and non-vaccinated travellers in each of these categories. The UAE falls into the orange category, so vaccinated travellers are welcome, but will also need to show proof of a negative PCR test. Those who are not vaccinated cannot travel to France for leisure; they must have an essential reason to visit and will face seven days home quarantine, plus testing requirements. The country currently only recognises the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
France is also in the process of tightening restrictions as it attempts to curb a spike in Covid-19 cases. As such, from August, anyone wanting to go out to eat or drink, visit a shopping centre, attend a festival, explore a museum, or go to the theatre or cinema, must show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test before they are allowed entry.
Emirates flies daily to Paris, and has also launched flights to Nice and Lyon. From Abu Dhabi, travellers can fly non-stop to Paris with Etihad, with economy fares starting from Dh2,015 for the seven-hour flight
Jordan
Whether you want to spend your days floating in the Dead Sea, exploring the 2000-year-old Nabataean city of Petra or the Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash, or scuba diving in the Red Sea resort of Aqaba, Jordan has plenty to offer and is only a three-hour flight from the UAE.
The country is open to fully vaccinated visitors from the UAE, while non-vaccinated travellers must present a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours of departure. A second PCR test is mandatory upon arrival, and all visitors must fill in a Health Declaration and Locator Form, and hold valid health insurance.
Etihad flies to Amman daily, with economy fares starting at Dh1,050 for the three-and-a-half hour flight. Return economy class flights with Emirates start from Dh1,975
The Netherlands
Amsterdam’s tree-lined canals, walkable streets and street-side cafes will be calling out to many UAE travellers looking to escape to Europe this summer. However, the UAE is categorised as high risk by authorities, meaning visitors must show either proof of vaccination or proof of recovery to enter the country.
The Netherlands recognises the Sinopharm, Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. Visitors must also fill in a health declaration form and are “strongly advised” but not forced to self‑quarantine for 10 days upon arriving in the country. This requirement applies even if visitors have been vaccinated.
The Netherlands reimposed work-from-home guidelines yesterday, only weeks after lifting them, due to soaring Covid-19 infections. Most lockdown measures were lifted on June 26, but restrictions on bars, restaurants and nightclubs were quickly reintroduced, so it is possible new rules will come into play over the coming weeks.
Emirates is flying to Amsterdam four times per week, with return economy class tickets starting at Dh2,595. Flying time is just over seven hours
Seychelles
Seychelles opened its borders to international visitors on March 25, and has since established a travel corridor with the UAE that allows vaccinated travellers to enter the country with no quarantine requirements. Non-vaccinated visitors must present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
The Indian island nation has long been a go-to for travellers seeking a secluded stay, and a plethora of private villa resorts make it a good option for people looking to take social distancing to the nth degree.
White sandy beaches, turquoise waters, lush green surrounds and all the other hallmarks of a world-class tropical retreat are combined with one of the world's highest vaccination rates, making the archipelago a prime spot for travel during the pandemic.
It has even launched a Workcation Retreat Programme, which allows anyone with a valid passport to live and work in the tropical paradise for a maximum period of a year.
The destination is a four-and-a-half-hour flight away from the UAE. Air Seychelles launched a new weekly service between Dubai and Mahe on July 2, which will run until Saturday, July 24. Economy-class fares start from Dh1,259
Vatican City
UAE residents wanting to visit the Vatican City can travel to Rome on special Emirates Covid-tested flights. At check-in, passengers must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure. All passengers must fill in a digital passenger locator form and must pre-register for a rapid swab test on arrival in Italy.
The museums at Vatican City, home to art and artefacts gathered by the popes over the centuries, reopened to visitors on May 3. Visitors can marvel at the Niccoline Chapel, the Borgia Apartment or the Sistine Chapel between 8.30am and 6.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am to 10.30pm on Friday and Saturday. It is mandatory to book your visit in advance via the official ticket office, as access is phased at strict 30-minute intervals.
Visitors must wear a mask for the entirety of their visit and maintain a distance of one metre from others. Guided tours have been capped to a maximum of 25 people at a time.
Emirates flies to Rome four times a week, with return flights costing from Dh2,245
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
PRISCILLA
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Sofia%20Coppola%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Cailee%20Spaeny%2C%20Jacob%20Elordi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
7pm: HH The President’s Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,200m.
List of alleged parties
May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members
May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party
Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
Gavin Williamson
Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party
Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
Party headquarters
Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
England 19 (Try: Tuilagi; Cons: Farrell; Pens: Ford (4)
New Zealand 7 (Try: Savea; Con: Mo'unga)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make
When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.
“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.
This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).
Age
|
$250 a month
|
$500 a month
|
$1,000 a month
|
25
|
$640,829
|
$1,281,657
|
$2,563,315
|
35
|
$303,219
|
$606,439
|
$1,212,877
|
45
|
$131,596
|
$263,191
|
$526,382
|
55
|
$44,351
|
$88,702
|
$177,403
|