Dubai Reopening For Tourism on July 7 – All Countries Welcome

Last Updated 4 years ago

Dubai, UAE officially reopened its borders for international tourism on July 7, 2020 – allowing travellers from all normally permitted countries to visit.

This article will show you which flights have resumed to the city, what hotels are reopening, and any rules that travelers need to follow before and during their visit to Dubai.

Dubai Reopening – What You Need To Know Before You Go

Dubai is reopening for international tourists to visit on July 7^th, but there are some requirements to gain entry. Here’s what you need to know before you book your flight:

Check if you need a Visa

Since ‘pre-covid' entry rules are still in effect, your nationality might require a visa before traveling to Dubai. You can check if your country needs a visa here

Download The Covid-19 DXB App

The app is required for inbound travellers to download. Travellers will register their trip on the app, as well as critically important health details, including a ‘Health Declaration Form’ that is required to be completed and submitted before entry to the UAE. (IOS / Android)

The app will also grant direct communication to local health authorities should a traveller develop symptoms during their trip.

Get Travel Health Insurance

International travelers need to obtain travel health insurance for the duration of their trip into Dubai.

Photo Cred: mediaoffice.ae

Bring a Negative PCR Test

All tourists must complete a PCR test with a maximum validity of four days (96 hours) ahead of the date of departure. They will be required to show proof of a negative test before boarding and on arrival at Dubai airports.

Fill Out a Health Form

All travellers to Dubai, including passengers with a connecting flight, must complete this health declaration form and give it to the staff at check-in. This form will also be available at check-in.

Agree to thermal screenings upon arrival

All tourists will undergo thermal screenings when they arrive at the Dubai airport. If a traveller has symptoms, they will be re-tested, even if they bring their negative PCT test with them.

Photo Cred: mediaoffice.ae

Testing and Quarantine Requirements

If a tourist follows the above advice, brings their negative PCR test with them, and has no symptoms upon arrival, then there is no mandatory testing or quarantine period. They can enter Dubai and enjoy their vacation.

Updates on ALL Entry Requirements

This article was first published in June 2020, and since then, entry requirements may have changed. For the most updated entry rules, please see our “Dubai Covid-19 Entry Requirements” guide.

Health Rules While Visit Dubai

While tourists are enjoying their trip in Dubai, the local government has asked them to abide by the following rules:

Strictly follow physical distancing guidelines
Use face masks
Wash hands frequently
Observe precautionary measures and monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and report any symptoms immediately

Emirates Air, the state-owned airline of the UAE has launched their ‘Health and Safety First’ campaign to keep travellers safe during their trip.

They’ve implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes to all customers.

What flights have resumed to Dubai?

Currently, Emirates Air is flying from 40+ countries to Dubai and is actively looking to expand these routes as demand increases over the next few months.

Dubai is Open. We are ready to welcome visitors to Dubai from 7 July, and facilitate travel for UAE citizens, residents and international tourists with new air travel protocols announced yesterday.#FlyEmiratesFlyBetter pic.twitter.com/FO0QAu7X6R
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) June 22, 2020

Starting in July, here are some direct flights heading to Dubai

From Canada

Toronto on Emirates

From USA

Los Angeles on Emirates
Chicago on Emirates
New York on Emirates
Washington on Emirates

From Europe

Amsterdam on Emirates
Athens on Emirates
Barcelona on Emirates
Belgrade on FlyDubai
Bucharest on FlyDubai
Brussels on Emirates
Copenhagen on Emirates
Dublin on Emirates
Frankfurt on Emirates
Istanbul on Emirates, Pegasus and Turkish Airlines
Kiev on FlyDubai
Krakow on FlyDubai
London on Emirates and British Airways
Madrid on Emirates
Manchester on Emirates
Milan on Emirates
Moscow on FlyDubai
Paris on Emirates
Prague on FlyDubai
Sofia on FlyDubai
Vienna on Emirates
Zurich on Emirates

Emirates Air and many other airlines are also flying direct to many cities throughout Asia and the Middle East.

What Hotels are open in Dubai?

Travellers will find that most hotels have reopened in Dubai. Some hotels and resorts are also offering deep discounts for UAE residents to keep them in country and on ‘staycations’. Some of the most popular hotels that have reopened are:

Four Seasons Jumeirah beach
Mandarin Oriental
Raffles Dubai
Caesars Palace Bluewaters
Bulgari Resort Dubai
Grand Plaza Movenpick
Burj Khalifa
JA The Resort
Atlantis – The Palm
Jumeirah Hotel
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
Al Maha Luxury Collection
Le Meridien Dubai
JW Marriott Marquis
The Ritz Carlton
Waldorf Astoria
Taj Dubai

The decision for Dubai to reopen for tourism on July 7^th was made on June 21^st by the supreme committee under the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the follow-up of Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management headed by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

#Dubai to welcome tourists from 7 July 2020; tourists required to present recent COVID-19 negative certificate or undergo testing at Dubai airports.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 21, 2020

The Committee said the marked progress achieved by the emirate in combating the virus with strict precautionary measures implemented at national and local levels has earned it worldwide praise. Dubai’s rapid response to the global pandemic combined with the concerted efforts of the government and private sector and the commitment of the community have helped significantly reduce the spread of the virus.

Read More: Want to see what other countries are open? Read our complete list of countries now reopen for tourism

Sources: mediaoffice.ae / emirates /

Disclaimer: Dubai's reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry before traveling.

For the latest reopening Travel News and discussion, join our: Facebook Community

Originally published June 22 with updates

Christina

Saturday 12th of September 2020

I'll be traveling to Dubai in December and wondering if I should get the medical/traveling insurance. Is it necessary ?

Kashlee Kucheran

If it were me, I would get it!

Gabriela

Friday 28th of August 2020

Hello, anyone knows when Abu Dhabi will be open for tourists, as well?

Hi Gabriela! We just had a reader email this to us a few days ago: "Americans can also travel to Abu Dhabi. We just returned after 5 days in Dubai and 5 days in Abu Dhabi. We flew into Dubai on Emirates and then transfered by car to Abu Dhabi. We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria International Financial Center in Dubai. The hotel arranged a covid test for $60 per person needed within 48 hours of foreigners entering Abu Dhabi. Everything in Abu Dhabi is open except Mosques and tours can be hard to book due to the low number of tourist."

We have not confirmed this with the local government of Abu Dhabi, but I wanted to give you the info we had :)

Precha

Thursday 27th of August 2020

How about transitting without leaving the airport?

Tom

Thursday 6th of August 2020

Traveled from Istanbul to Dubai with plane changed in Kiev, Ukraine on August 5 using US passport. Airline did enforce that passengers had negative PCR test within last 96 hours. Dubai immigration also asked for and kept a copy of the negative results. No one asked about having travel medical insurance, but I had it just in case. Like in Turkey, most everything appears open with everyone walking around with surgical masks.

Hi Tom! GREAT update! Thank you so much for posting, as it's super helpful to hear these stories of people actually crossing borders. Enjoy your trip

Tuesday 28th of July 2020

Today, July 28, all direct flights from Turkey to Dubai and been cancelled until August 15.

Good to know, thanks tom