UAE and Dubai vaccination requirements: Your guide to traveling safely

Planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates? Whether you're heading to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or the desert dunes, it's important to understand the UAE's vaccination rules to avoid delays at the border and stay healthy during your trip.

Find out all you need to know about mandatory and recommended vaccinations and other entry rules, such as the UAE Tourist eVisa.

Do I need vaccines to enter the United Arab Emirates (Dubai)?

For most travelers, no vaccines are mandatory - but there are a few key exceptions:

✅ Yellow fever vaccine is required if you're arriving from or transiting through a high-risk country

✅ Polio vaccine is required for travelers from polio-affected regions

Summary of all UAE vaccination requirements and recommendations

💡Femke Strietman, iVisa travel expert:

"Always carry both digital and physical copies of your vaccination certificates, like the yellow book."

Yellow fever certificate for traveling to Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

If you're traveling from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., Kenya, Ghana, Brazil, Peru), you must show a valid yellow fever certificate. Without it, you risk delays or denied entry.

If you're medically exempt from the vaccine, bring a signed exemption letter and check if UAE authorities will accept it before departure.

“I had my yellow fever certificate ready on paper and breezed through Dubai immigration, while another traveler was held back for hours as they couldn't prove their vaccine status.” — Amara, traveler from Nairobi

Other UAE and Dubai entry requirements for travel

Many nationalities need a UAE tourist visa to enter. Luckily, it’s easy to apply online with iVisa and through their handy mobile app:

• Valid for short stays
• Fully digital process
• Fast approval, no embassy visits

Check your eligibility below:

Final tips for a smooth trip to Dubai and the rest of the UAE

➡️ Carry all required vaccination and visa documents (digital + printed)

➡️Visit a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure

➡️ Stay updated on UAE government and airline health advisories

➡️ Apply timely (at least 1 month in advance) for your UAE Tourist eVisa if you require one

Need more info about traveling to the United Arab Emirates?

Reach out to us via WhatsApp or chat if you have any questions about traveling to Dubai or another destination.