• India lifted a ban on international flights on March 27. AFP
    India lifted a ban on international flights on March 27. AFP
  • The end of the flight ban will also terminate air bubbles between India, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and several other destinations. Reuters
    The end of the flight ban will also terminate air bubbles between India, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and several other destinations. Reuters
  • Passengers arrive at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in western India. AFP
    Passengers arrive at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in western India. AFP
  • Travellers arriving in India will undergo thermal temperature scans at airports. AFP
    Travellers arriving in India will undergo thermal temperature scans at airports. AFP
  • International travellers are able to fly to India on regular flights for the first time in nearly two years. Reuters
    International travellers are able to fly to India on regular flights for the first time in nearly two years. Reuters
  • Children under 5 are exempt from testing and vaccination requirements when flying to India. AFP
    Children under 5 are exempt from testing and vaccination requirements when flying to India. AFP

UAE-India travel: everything you need to know as PCR tests dropped for Emirates


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

India has updated entry requirements for incoming travellers, removing the need for vaccinated passengers from certain countries to present a negative PCR test result on arrival.

The rules now apply to travellers from 99 countries, including the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.

Passengers who received both doses of their Covid-19 vaccination in India also no longer need to present a negative PCR result, meaning Indian residents returning to the country from the UAE are exempt from having to take a test when leaving the Emirates.

If you’re planning to travel to India in the near future, here’s everything you need to know before you go.

Do I need to quarantine in India?

Travellers arriving into Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi can skip quarantine and pre-flight PCR testing if they're fully vaccinated from an approved country. AP
Travellers arriving into Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi can skip quarantine and pre-flight PCR testing if they're fully vaccinated from an approved country. AP

Travellers arriving in India no longer need to quarantine after authorities revoked the rule on seven-day mandatory home isolation for passengers coming from overseas. Only travellers who are symptomatic, and subsequently test positive for Covid-19, will have to quarantine.

Instead, all travellers should self-monitor their health for 14 days from the date they arrive in India.

Do the new rules apply to vaccinated passengers?

The new rules apply to all arriving passengers, regardless of vaccination status.

Do children need to quarantine on arrival in India?

Children below the age of 5 do not need to take any pre or post-arrival tests for travel to India, unless they show symptoms of the virus. AFP
Children below the age of 5 do not need to take any pre or post-arrival tests for travel to India, unless they show symptoms of the virus. AFP

No, children do not need to quarantine on arrival, but parents should monitor their symptoms for 14 days after arriving in the country.

Do I need a negative PCR test to take a flight?

Vaccinated arrivals from certain countries no longer need to present a negative PCR test result when flying to India. Passengers who received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccination in India will also no longer need to present a negative PCR result, regardless of the country they are flying from.

There are 99 countries on the list from where PCR tests are not required, including the UAE. The detailed list can be found here and is updated regularly.

All other travellers must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. Travellers should upload the test results to the Air Suvidha portal before flying.

Children below 5 are exempt from testing rules both pre and post-arrival, but those aged 5 and above must follow the rules in place for adults. Any children who develop symptoms of Covid-19 at any point during their trip will have to take a PCR test, regardless of age.

What do I need to do before flying to India?

There are a few documents that need to be submitted by passengers travelling to India.

Travellers flying to India must have a negative PCR test and submit several documents before their trip. Getty Images
Travellers flying to India must have a negative PCR test and submit several documents before their trip. Getty Images

Firstly, there is a self-declaration form which can be submitted online via the Air Suvidha portal, this needs to be filled in before travel and must include details of any countries visited in the previous 14 days.

A declaration also needs to be completed for each passenger, certifying that the Covid-19 negative certificate submitted is authentic, and an undertaking to face criminal charges if it turns out otherwise.

Travellers also need to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices for Covid-19 track and trace purposes in India.

Will I be tested for Covid-19 on arrival in India?

Some travellers will need to undergo further PCR testing for Covid-19 on arrival in India. New regulations state that 2 per cent of total passengers on each flight will undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport.

These travellers will be identified by the airlines. After the on-arrival test, they can leave the airport and will only need to isolate if they test positive.

Travellers arriving in India will not undergo further testing unless they are randomly selected for a PCR test. AP Photo
Travellers arriving in India will not undergo further testing unless they are randomly selected for a PCR test. AP Photo

There will also be thermal screening by health officials in airports across the country.

Is India still using its 'at-risk' list for travel?

The most recent update to India's travel rules means that the previous "at-risk" list of countries from where travellers had to undergo additional entry rules no longer applies.

What happens if I test positive while in India?

If you develop symptoms and subsequently get a positive PCR test result, then you’ll have to go to an isolation facility where a doctor will assess you and advise on the follow-up process.

A Covid-19 facility at a government hospital in Chennai. AFP
A Covid-19 facility at a government hospital in Chennai. AFP

Close contacts of a positive case will be contacted, including co-passengers and anyone in the home or hotel where the person with Covid-19 has been isolating. Fellow passengers who were seated three rows in front and three rows behind anyone who tests positive will also be considered close contacts.

Until when are the new rules in place?

No end date has been set for the new home quarantine rules with official documents stating that the rules are in place until “further orders”.

India recorded 913 new Covid-19 cases on April 3 alongside 13 new deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

The country has recorded more than 43 million total cases since the onset of the global pandemic, says Johns Hopkins.

Anything else I need to know?

Different states in India may also have their own rules for Covid-19 management, so travellers should check the rules in place for the destination they are travelling to.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES

Mar 10: Norwich(A)

Mar 13: Newcastle(H)

Mar 16: Lille(A)

Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)

Apr 2: Brentford(H)

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZack%20Snyder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESofia%20Boutella%2C%20Djimon%20Hounsou%2C%20Ed%20Skrein%2C%20Michiel%20Huisman%2C%20Charlie%20Hunnam%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

Rating: 1 out of 4

Running time: 81 minutes

Director: David Blue Garcia

Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta

Results

United States beat UAE by three wickets

United States beat Scotland by 35 runs

UAE v Scotland – no result

United States beat UAE by 98 runs

Scotland beat United States by four wickets

Fixtures

Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland

Admission is free

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

THE DRAFT

The final phase of player recruitment for the T10 League has taken place, with UAE and Indian players being drafted to each of the eight teams.

Bengal Tigers
UAE players: Chirag Suri, Mohammed Usman
Indian: Zaheer Khan

Karachians
UAE players: Ahmed Raza, Ghulam Shabber
Indian: Pravin Tambe

Kerala Kings
UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Abdul Shakoor
Indian: RS Sodhi

Maratha Arabians
UAE players: Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
Indian: S Badrinath

Northern Warriors
UAE players: Imran Haider, Rahul Bhatia
Indian: Amitoze Singh

Pakhtoons
UAE players: Hafiz Kaleem, Sheer Walli
Indian: RP Singh

Punjabi Legends
UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Sandy Singh
Indian: Praveen Kumar

Rajputs
UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed
Indian: Munaf Patel

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

The line up

Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego  

Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh  

Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com

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.

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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

The specs: 2018 Genesis G70

Price, base / as tested: Dh155,000 / Dh205,000

Engine: 3.3-litre, turbocharged V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 370hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 510Nm @ 1,300rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.6L / 100km

Updated: April 04, 2022, 11:08 AM