All travellers landing in Dubai can be tested free of charge for Covid-19, according to the Dubai Health Authority.
Nationals and returning residents will be given polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on landing in the emirate.
Tourists have two options. They can take a PCR-test up to 96 hours before flying to the UAE and present Dubai authorities with the Covid-19 negative certificate.
Otherwise, they can opt to undergo testing free of charge on landing in the city.
Follow-up Covid-19 tests for any tourist exhibiting symptoms of the virus in-flight will also be conducted, even if the traveller has already obtained a negative certificate.
The measures have been put in place by Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management to help prevent the spread of coronavirus by air travel.
All travellers arriving in Dubai must also fill out health declaration forms that disclose any possible symptoms of the disease. These will be given to passengers by the airline they are flying with.
At Dubai airport, every passenger will have their temperature scanned via thermal screening devices and everyone must download the Covid-19 DXB app.
Valid medical insurance is also needed for tourists. Those that arrive without it will be asked to sign a disclaimer undertaking that they will "bear all costs of quarantine and treatment".
Any traveller testing positive for Covid-19 once in Dubai will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine period.
This can be done at home if conditions comply with official guidelines from the Covid-19 Command and Control Centre.
People who are home-sharing or live in high-density housing will have to be isolated at a separate facility. This should be provided by their employer or the government, with companies bearing the costs according to the Dubai Health Authority's most recent guidelines.
Those flying into Dubai must also observe precautionary measures including wearing face masks, maintaining two-metre social distancing and washing their hands regularly.
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
