Travel to Dubai during Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

If you are fully vaccinated and returning from a Green / Rest of World list country, then you will not need to take a pre-departure test before returning to the UK.  Children aged 17 and under are also exempt, regardless of their vaccination status if returning to England, Scotland or Wales.  If you are returning to Northern Ireland and are aged 11 or over, then you must take a pre-departure test before you return.

If you are returning back from a red list destination, or are not fully vaccinated, then you must take a test and return a negative result within the 3 days (72 hours) before you depart to the UK. You will be required to show your test results before you board the return flight home.

The test must meet the performance standards of above 97% specificity and above 80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies\ml. The test can be a PCR test, a LAMP test or an antigen test, such as a test from a lateral flow device as long as they meet the performance standards

Your test result can be provided as:

• a printed document
• an email or text message you can show on your phone - make sure your device is charged

Many hotels around the world will be able to assist in arranging the test for you, either by having a doctor to visit the hotel, or directing you to the nearest clinic and booking an appointment for you.

It is advisable to speak with the hotel once you arrive on the options available to ensure you are able to book an appointment for an appropriate time.  There are also companies who will provide you with a test from the UK and arrange a video call in your destination to verify the test and the result.

You will be required to take a test on your return back to the United Kingdom.  The details of which will vary as below, depending on the classification of the country you are arriving from. 

Green / Rest of World list countries

Travellers who are fully vaccinated

If you are arriving into the United Kingdom from a country that is on the green / ROW list, then you will be required to undergo a further COVID-19 PCR test at your own expense on or before day 2 of your return into the country.  You must ensure that this test is booked before returning to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.  You may need to place the confirmation reference number on your Passenger Locator Form.  This need to be completed and submitted before your departure home.

If you are returning back to England from the 24th October 2021, then you will be able to book and undergo a lateral flow test at your own expense on or before day 2 of your return.  You will still need to book this test before returning to England and place a confirmation reference number on your passenger locator form.  If you are returning to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you must continue to follow the PCR guidance as above.

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated

If you are arriving into the United Kingdom from a country that is on the green / ROW list, then you will be required to undergo 2 further COVID-19 PCR tests at your own expense on or before day 2 and also on day 8 of your return into the country.  You must ensure that this test is booked before returning to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.  You may need to place the confirmation number on your Passenger Locator Form.  This will need to be completed and submitted before your departure home.  You will also need to follow the quarantine requirements, detailed in the 'Quarantine on return' section.

If you are aged between 5 and 17 and reside in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, then you will need to book and pay for a day 2 test on your return to the UK.  If you are aged between 11 and 17 and reside in Scotland, then you will also need to book and pay for a day 2 test on your return to the UK.  Anyone under these ages (10 and under in Scotland and 4 and under everywhere else - will be exempt from these tests)

Red list countries

If you are arriving into the United Kingdom from a country that is on the red list then you will need to ensure you have booked yourself into government approved hotel quarantine for a 10 day period whether you are fully vaccinated, or not.  You will be required to undergo 2 further COVID-19 PCR tests at your own expense on your return to the country in your quarantine hotel.  These tests will need to be taken on or before day 2 and on day 8 of your 10 day quarantine period.  You must ensure that your hotel quarantine. along with your test package is booked before returning to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.  You will need to place the confirmation reference number on your Passenger Locator Form.  this needs to be completed and submitted before your departure home to the United Kingdom.