Tourists can now apply to visit the UAE from 14 countries where travel was previously restricted.
Only fully vaccinated UAE residents were previously allowed to return from these countries until the change, which has now opened up travel to tourists.
But authorities have confirmed travellers must have received both doses of a World Health Organisation-approved Covid-19 vaccine to be eligible for a visa.
The National sets out everything you need to know about the process.
Which countries are affected by the rule change?
Earlier this year, the UAE temporarily halted passenger flights from 14 countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Liberia, Vietnam and Congo over concerns about coronavirus cases and variants of the virus.
Visit visas can now be issued to anyone from those countries, as long as they are fully vaccinated.
Which vaccines are approved for entry to the UAE?
All vaccines which have been listed by the WHO.
They are:
- Pfizer/BioNTech: Comirnaty
- Oxford/AstraZeneca, including Covishield, produced by Serum Institute of India
- Johnson & Johnson: Ad26. COV2. S
- Moderna: Spikevax
- Sinopharm: BBIBP-CorV
- Sinovac: CoronaVac
It is important to note that because Covaxin has not yet been approved by WHO, it is not yet accepted for travel to the UAE.
How do people submit proof of the vaccination they received?
By visiting the ICA website, which will ask applicants to provide their passport details, as well as the name of the vaccination and dates of the first, second and third dose, where applicable. Uploading the Covid-19 vaccination card is mandatory.
Alternatively, they can upload proof of the vaccination they received via the Al Hosn app.
Is any additional testing required?
Yes, in addition to providing a negative Covid-19 test 48 hours before travel, travellers must take a rapid test at the departure airport, as well as another rapid test on arrival in the UAE.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sweet%20Tooth
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Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
Bullet%20Train
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
Fixtures
50-over match
UAE v Lancashire, starts at 10am
Champion County match
MCC v Surrey, four-day match, starting on Sunday, March 24, play starts at 10am
Both matches are at ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City. Admission is free.
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5