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COVID-safe travel to and from Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi remains the safe, awe-inspiring and culturally rich destination you last visited. We are now open to all vaccinated travellers and ready to welcome you. Find out about the procedures to keep you safe while travelling to and across our emirate.

Entering Abu Dhabi

Are you planning a trip to Abu Dhabi? Please read about the Green List of countries, current travel restrictions and what you need to do and what to expect on your arrival.

Check whether your destination of origin is on Abu Dhabi’s Green List of countries. Travellers will face different rules and restrictions depending on the country they arrive from.
Take a PCR test within 48 hours of departure from your destination of origin. You will only be allowed to fly if the test result is negative.
Travellers must download the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA UAE Smart) app or visit the ica.gov.ae website to complete the 'Register Arrivals Form' 48 hours before travel date.

*Important: Children under 12 and those with medical exemptions do not need to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing before departure.

Vaccinated travellers

If you are vaccinated or exempt from vaccination

Vaccinated travellers will find it easier to keep their ‘Green Status’ and gain access to attractions in Abu Dhabi. Vaccinated travellers do not need to quarantine on arrival.

Please check that your vaccine is recognised by the UAE and is listed on the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention Society (MOHAP). Only vaccines listed here are approved to enter Abu Dhabi.
To validate your vaccination or your exemption certificate, download the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA UAE Smart app) or visit the ica.gov.ae website to complete the 'Register Arrivals Form' and attach your vaccination certificate(s) for approval. You must do this 48 hours before you are scheduled to travel.
Vaccinated travellers from Green List countries will be required to test on arrival at Abu Dhabi airport and then again on day six of your trip.
Vaccinated travellers from destinations not on the Green List must test on arrival at Abu Dhabi airport and on day four and day eight of your trip.

Unvaccinated travellers

If you are unvaccinated

Unvaccinated travellers are welcome to visit Abu Dhabi. However, alternative rules and restrictions must be followed.

Unvaccinated travellers from Green List countries and regions are welcome to Abu Dhabi with no quarantine measures, however, you must take a PCR test on day six and day nine of your trip.
Unvaccinated travellers arriving from non-Green List countries must undergo quarantine measures for 10 days with a PCR test to be taken on day nine.
On arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, please download and register on the Al Hosn app.

*Important: Children under 12 and those with medical exemptions do not need to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing before departure.

Green List

What is the Green List?

Those visiting Abu Dhabi from countries, regions and territories on the Green List will face reduced restrictions and are not required to undergo quarantine measures. Visitors from countries not on the Green List are still welcome to Abu Dhabi, however, further restrictions will apply.

Preventing the spread of Covid-19 in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has implemented strict precautionary measures to protect all community members in the emirate. As of 1 January 2022, entry to most public places in Abu Dhabi is limited to those vaccinated, officially exempted, or under 16 years old, as part of continuous efforts to protect public health.

Safe environment

Entry to Public Places

Entry to most public places and attractions in Abu Dhabi is only allowed for those who are fully vaccinated, officially exempt from vaccination, under 16 years of age, and those who also have ‘Green’ status on the Alhosn app, which requires following the approved testing requirements:

Vaccinated travellers must receive a negative PCR test result every 14 days to maintain ‘Green’ status. The PCR test must have been performed in the UAE.
UAE residents need to take a timely vaccine booster shot to maintain 'Green' status on the Alhosn app. This requirement does NOT apply to tourists.
Visitors with an official vaccine exemption must receive a negative PCR test result every 7 days to maintain ‘Green’ status. The PCR test must have been performed in the UAE.
Children aged under 12 years automatically receive ‘Green’ status without the need to be vaccinated or to take a PCR test.
Children aged 12 to 15 years do not need to be vaccinated but do need to take a PCR test to receive 'Green' status on the Alhosn app.

Certain public places are limited to those vaccinated, exempt or children. These include shopping centres, restaurants and cafes; other retail outlets including those not in shopping centres; gyms and recreational facilities; health clubs and resorts; museums and cultural centres; universities and institutes; theme parks; and cinemas.

To gain access to the specified public places, individuals will need to present the Alhosn app to show their ‘Green’ status.

Smart protection

The Alhosn App

The Alhosn app is the official COVID-19 results app for the UAE. Safe, secure, and designed to safeguard both your health and your privacy. Make sure you download and register on the smartphone app e before your journey. It will keep you safe and make your Abu Dhabi trip smooth and secure. Alhosn provides you with quick access to:

Your COVID-19 test results
Your PCR test report and vaccination certificate
Various Abu Dhabi attractions

Safe environment

Abu Dhabi’s protocol for mask-wearing

Abu Dhabi has enforced rules in the emirate to keep its residents and visitors safe. This includes wearing masks in public spaces when required. There are exemptions for:

Children under the age of two
People with severe disabilities (this group must be able to provide a relevant medical report if required)
People with respiratory symptoms (this group must be able to provide a medical report that specifies their difficulty with mask-wearing)

Learn more about COVID safe travel to and in Abu Dhabi

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Travelling to Abu Dhabi

Vaccinated Travellers to Abu Dhabi

Effective from Sunday, 5 September 2021 Abu Dhabi has lifted all quarantine procedures for all vaccinated travellers from around the world allowing seamless entry to the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi accepts the vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention Society (MOHAP)
To check the list of World Health Organisation (WHO) approved vaccines, please click here
To check the list of MOHAP approved vaccines, please click here
To validate your vaccination or your exemption certificate in Abu Dhabi, 48 hours before your travel date, download the Federal Authority of Identity and Citizenship (ICA UAE Smart) app or visit the ica.gov.ae website to complete the 'Register Arrivals Form' and attach your vaccination certificate(s) for approval
An SMS will confirm approval of the registration form and vaccination certificates and include a link to download the Alhosn app, which enables users to show test results and vaccination status and is used to enter public places in Abu Dhabi. Visitors must be vaccinated to enter the majority of public places.
Individuals without the Alhosn app can alternatively access public places by presenting proof of full vaccination - via either a full vaccination certificate from their home country or by showing full vaccination status in their home country mobile app - as well as a negative PCR test result within the last 14 days. The PCR test must have been performed in the UAE.
Take a PCR test within 48 hours of departure from origin destination and only fly if the test result is negative
Upon arrival in Abu Dhabi, travellers will receive a Unified ID number from airport immigration or via the ICA UAE Smart app or ica.gov.ae website; this is required to complete the registration on the Alhosn app.
You will also need to take a PCR test upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International airport free of cost, with the result received within 90 minutes
You can then depart the airport and wait in your accommodation for the results
If the result is negative, Alhosn will automatically show ‘green’ status
Children under 12 years and individuals with official exemptions do not need to take a PCR test upon arrival
As an alternative to using the app, visit m.Alhosnapp.ae to check your latest PCR test result
If coming from Green List countries, travellers will need to take another PCR test on day 6 (counting the day of arrival as day 1), available at their convenience at their hotel accommodation
If coming from non-Green List countries, travellers will need to take another PCR test on day 4 and day 8. PCR tests will be available at their convenience at their hotel accommodation.
Click here to see if your destination of departure to Abu Dhabi is on the emirate's Green List.
For more information about COVID-19 PCR testing centres in Abu Dhabi, please visit doh.gov.ae/en/covid-19/PCR and seha.ae/screening-locations/. Hotels will also provide testing services at their guests' convenience.

Unvaccinated travellers to Abu Dhabi

Take a PCR test within 48 hours of departure from origin destination and only fly if the test result is negative
Unvaccinated travellers from Green List countries and regions are welcomed to Abu Dhabi with no quarantine measures. And must take a PCR test on day 6 and day 9 (Day 1 being the day of arrival)
Unvaccinated travellers coming from non-green list countries must undergo quarantine measures. On arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, download and register on the Alhosn app, available in all smartphone app stores
You will also need to take a PCR test upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International airport free of cost, with the result received within 90 minutes on the Alhosn app and via SMS.
Effective 19 September travellers must home quarantine and will no longer need to wear wristbands. Only those who have tested positive will be required to be fitted with a wristband during their quarantine period.
Depart the airport and quarantine at your accommodation for 10 days and take a PCR test at a SEHA Prime Testing Facility on day 9. If it is negative, previously positive cases will have the wristband removed at the same facility
Click here to check if your destination of departure to Abu Dhabi is on the emirate’s Green List.
If you are unvaccinated and transiting through a Green List country from a non-Green List country to Abu Dhabi and have spent less than 10 days in a Green List location before arriving in Abu Dhabi, you must complete quarantine in Abu Dhabi.
The time spent in the Green List country before arriving in Abu Dhabi will count towards the 10-day quarantine period. For example, Unvaccinated passenger A spends time in a non-Green List country, and then spends four days in a Green List country before travelling to Abu Dhabi. Passenger A will quarantine for 6 days in order to complete the 10-day total

*Important: Children under 12 and those with medical exemptions do not need to undergo COVID-19 PCR testing before departure.

Abu Dhabi Safety Initiatives

The safety and wellbeing of our residents and visitors have always been and continue to be our priority. Our initiatives consider every safety aspect to help minimise concerns and safeguard their wellbeing across every touchpoint, from arrival to departure. Learn more about what Abu Dhabi is doing to keep everyone safe.

Airport Safety Procedures

Go Safe Programme

Public Safety Initiatives

Additional Information

For more useful travel information, please visit the following sources prior to travelling to Abu Dhabi:

For latest travel updates and important airport information, visit Abu Dhabi Airport
For a detailed travel guide to Abu Dhabi, go to visitabudhabi.ae

For precautionary measures to keep everyone safe, there are a number of useful websites for more information:

Advice for the public as listed on World Health Organisation
Tips to stay safe from COVID-19 in the UAE
Public informational videos from Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre can be viewed here.
ALHOSN app green pass information can be found here

Useful Links

For more useful travel information, please visit the following sources before travelling to Abu Dhabi:

For the latest travel updates and important airport information, visit Abu Dhabi Airport.
For a detailed travel guide to Abu Dhabi, go to visitabudhabi.ae.

For precautionary measures to keep everyone safe, there are many useful websites for more information:

Advice for the public as listed on World Health Organisation.
Tips to stay safe from COVID-19 in the UAE.
Public informational videos from Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre can be viewed here.
ALHOSN app green pass information can be found here.