Dubai residents planning to travel abroad must get a permit in order to return

Dubai residents who are planning to travel abroad must arrange for a permit from the government which they require to return to the emirate.

Residents planning to travel out of Dubai must be aware of and meet the travel requirements of the country they are travelling to, Emirates airline clarified on its website.

However they do “not need a Covid-19 test or Dubai government approval to leave Dubai”, it said.

Meanwhile those intending to return to Dubai after a trip abroad will have to have government approval to enter the emirate.

“If you hold a Dubai residence visa and would like to return to Dubai, you must have government approval to enter. You can apply for this approval while making your booking online or through our contact centres,” Emirates said on its website.

“Otherwise you can complete the application on the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) website directly, before you book your flight.”

The GDRFA application process requires users to submit their ‘Resident File Number’, which is on the visa under ‘File’.
 
Residents can check the GDRFA website to see the status of the application. If it is approved, residents will receive an email with a GDRFA reference number. If it can’t be processed at the time of the request, a second attempt can be made after four days.

“You will be asked for your GDRFA application number to complete your travel booking, either online or through our call centre,” Emirates said.

Travellers also have to carry a copy of the GDRFA approval email when they travel.

“Every passenger flying to Dubai is required to fill in a health declaration form and the quarantine undertaking form. Both forms need to be printed and completed before you travel and handed over to Dubai Health Authority staff at arrival. The quarantine undertaking form will only go into effect if you need to undergo quarantine,” the airline added.

On arrival in Dubai, everyone is required to take a PCR test and remain in their residence until the test result is received. If the test result is positive, they will be required to undergo isolation and follow the Dubai Health Authority guidelines.

“At check-in, returning residents must declare that they either have health insurance or will bear any costs for treatment and isolation if required,” the airline added.

All residents are also required to download the Covid-19 – DXB app.