Summer holidays are around the corner and if you’re planning to travel outside the UAE you need to know some important information. While citizens in the UAE can travel to a whole lot of countries, there are a few countries they cannot travel to. Read on, know the rules and plan your trip accordingly.
Also read: UAE To India: PCR Test, Quarantine & Transit Requirements For UAE Residents Arriving In India
Emiratis Are Banned Entry Into India, Pakistan & 12 Other Countries
In a recent announcement, UAE authorities have banned Emiratis from entering 14 countries. The list includes India, Pakistan, and South Africa. The other countries in the list include: Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria.
However, diplomatic passport holders, emergency treatment cases; official delegations; and previously authorised business and technical delegates are exempt from the ban.
Also read: Maldives To Allow Indian Tourists From July 15; Know The Latest Rules Here
Ban On Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka Extended Till July 21
UAE’s National Carrier Etihad Airways has announced the extension of the ban on passenger flights from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka till July 21. Furthermore, those who have visited these countries in the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter UAE either.
Also read: Dubai Airports’ Terminal 1 To Finally Reopen On 24 June
TRAVEL ALERT: Due to ongoing restrictions, all Etihad flights from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka remain suspended until 21 July. Read more: https://t.co/mjTAQ0uAS5 (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Hvx1CZ7TTI
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) June 29, 2021
“The only exemptions to this are if you are a diplomat or a UAE national or a Golden Visa holder. Your PCR test in this case must be taken a maximum of 48 hours before your flight departure,” the carrier said.
Exempted passengers will be able to book flights from these destinations to the UAE. Whereas, Dubai-based Emirates airline has not updated the date extension yet. Cargo flights remain unaffected as usual.
Previously, Emirates stated that flights from India were available from July 7, but things might change now. A notice was issued to Airmen (NOTAM), UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, which mentioned that flights from 14 countries will remain suspended until 21 July, 2021, due to the pandemic.
On June 19, Dubai banned entry of people who visited India, Nigeria and South Africa in the past 14 days. It also mentioned that entry would only be allowed to fully vaccinated UAE residents in India.
The UAE also said its citizens must self-isolate in case they test positive for Covid-19 while travelling and follow all instructions, requirements and health protocols applied by their host countries. They will also have to notify the UAE’s embassies in their host countries if they get Covid-19.