UAE’s Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) have jointly announced that starting 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.
This comes as part of the country’s strategy to create a balance between public health and the activities of vital sectors, and in support of the national efforts to achieve sustainable recovery and economic growth, said a Wam news agency report.
The decision applies to citizens of all countries, including those arriving from the previously banned countries. Arriving passengers on tourist visa must take mandatory rapid PCR test at the airport. The previous rules for unvaccinated, including exempted categories, remain in place.
Travelers wishing to receive the benefits provided to individuals vaccinated in the UAE can register their vaccination via the ICA platform or Al Hosn application, it said.
The Dubai Expo 2020, now set to open in October is expected to attract millions of visitors and boost its tourism economy once again. Heavily reliant on tourism, the emirate was one of the first destinations to open its doors to travelers, in July last year, just a few months after the pandemic took hold.
