UAE opens for fully vaccinated tourists

The United Arab Emirates on Monday resumed issuing tourist visas to those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 from WHO-approved vaccines from all countries.

The resumption starts following an announcement by the country’s National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) on August 28. 

According to the announcement, tourists need to have received the full doses of Covid-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The vaccines are AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Janssen, Moderna, AstraZeneca/CoviShield and AstraZeneca/AZD1222 (manufactured by the SII and SK Bio).

The decision comes a month before Dubai Expo 2020 (delayed by Covid last year) starts from October 1, 2021.

NCEMA Tweeted Sunday, “Starting from August 30, application for tourist visas will be open to people from all countries, provided that they are fully vaccinated with one of the WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines.”

“The decision applies to citizens of all countries, including those arriving from previously banned countries. Arriving passengers on tourist visa must take mandatory rapid PCR test at the airport,” UAE’s Supreme Council for National Security announced Sunday, adding, that “previous rules for unvaccinated, including exempted categories, remain in place.”