UAE Entry Rules Relaxed For Unvaccinated Teenagers

Following an announcement released this week, the UAE entry rules have been relaxed for all unvaccinated teenagers looking to visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi this winter season. 

According to the updated UAE entry rules, all children under the age of 16 will no longer be required to take a Covid PCR test pre-departure when they’re visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This is being celebrated by the travel industry as a great boost for the family market, with many looking to travel to the UAE for the winter-sun season. 

Before the UAE entry rules change went into effect, travellers under the age of 12 were exempt from all testing restrictions, but unvaccinated travellers between 13 and 16 years old still had to take a test if they could not supply a proof of recovery certificate.  

Currently travellers to the UAE are not required to take a pre-departure PCR test if they are fully vaccinated, have a recovery certificate for Covid dated within 30 days pre-departure, or have “severe disabilities” according to the UAE’s restrictions.  

However, those who are unvaccinated and do not have a recovery certificate are still required to provide a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours pre-departure, this must be presented at check-in when they attend their flight to the UAE. 

Following this UAE entry rules change, travellers going to the UAE might be required to take a PCR test on arrival alongside self-isolation while they wait for their results. Testing positive will mean self-isolation at a government facility, hospital, hotel, or private accommodation for the subsequent 10 days. 

The FCDO have already updated their Foreign Travel Advice page to reflect these changes, it reads, “Travellers to the UAE do not need to take a Covid PCR test before they travel if they are fully vaccinated or: they hold a Covid recovery certificate with a QR code dated within 30 days of departure; they are under 16 years of age for arrivals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; they have severe disabilities.” 

So, if you’re looking forward to your next holiday, don’t wait, book now with a travel business registered with PTS for 100% financial protection through trust. Or, if you’d like assistance choosing one of the lovely PTS members to book with, you can contact PTS directly at 0207 190 9988.   

And if you’d like to learn more about your financial protection with PTS or how the Package Travel Regulations protect your holiday booking, check out our pages and Travel Advice.