After the Covid-19 pandemic, you may wonder, 'Do I need a vaccine to travel to the United Arab Emirates?' Planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates is easy, especially because most travelers don't need to get a vaccine to travel there.
This article will provide all the information you need to travel safely and hassle-free if the UAE is your final destination. Learn about the vaccine requirements and recommendations, regulations, and other travel documents you may need for the trip below.
Overview of UAE's vaccine requirements for travelers
Generally, there's no vaccine requirement for traveling to the United Arab Emirates. However, to ensure the safety of international visitors and UAE residents, you should be up-to-date on all routine vaccines before traveling to the UAE, including the following:
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Routine vaccines: Chickenpox (Varicella), Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Flu (influenza), Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), Polio, and Shingles.
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Measles: Children from 6 to 11 months old should get one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before their UAE trip.
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Hepatitis A: This vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated travelers, one-year-old or older, traveling to the United Arab Emirates.
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Hepatitis B: This vaccine is recommended for travelers going to the UAE.
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Typhoid: Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated food or water. The vaccine is recommended for most travelers to the UAE.
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Rabies: Rabies is present in bats in the UAE and can be contracted through animal bites. The vaccine is recommended for travelers who may have contact with animals or who will be in rural areas.
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Meningococcal disease: This bacterial infection can cause meningitis and is recommended for travelers who may have close contact with locals or stay for an extended period in crowded settings.
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Yellow fever (YF): This vaccine may be a requirement if the visitor is traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission and is older than nine months of age, including transit for more than 12 hours in an airport located in a country with a high risk of YF virus spread.
Timeline: When should I get vaccinated to travel to the United Arab Emirates?
Vaccines have various timeframes. You'll need at least two weeks to be protected from most diseases. We advise getting the vaccines as soon as you start your travel plans and keeping the vaccine certificates safe with your passport until the trip.
Consider visiting a doctor before your flight for professional recommendations according to your situation. The CDC website can also provide detailed information for tourists.
Exceptions: What to do when you're allergic to a vaccine or the children are too young
If you or your child is allergic to a vaccine component or is under six months old, there are still options to help protect against certain diseases when traveling to the UAE. A healthcare provider may recommend receiving a single dose of immune globulin, which can provide adequate protection for up to two months, depending on the dosage.
Unvaccinated travelers over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or with chronic medical conditions planning to travel to a risk area in less than two weeks must receive the initial dose of the vaccine as soon as possible. At the same appointment, it's recommended to receive immune globulin to provide additional protection until the vaccine becomes effective.
Remember, it's always best to consult a healthcare provider before traveling to the UAE. They can provide specific information based on your circumstances and help ensure your safety and health during your trip.
Documentation requirements to get a vaccine for traveling to the UAE
The documents required to receive a vaccine vary depending on the healthcare provider or vaccination location. However, in most cases, you'll need the following items:
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Identification such as a driver's license or passport to confirm your identity and eligibility for the vaccine.
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Vaccination records or medical history, particularly if you have received vaccines in the past.
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Medical insurance card or information if you have insurance coverage for vaccines.
Consequences of non-compliance
Currently, only the yellow fever vaccine is required for travelers from regions with high-spread risk. This measure aims to keep the UAE nationals safe from this disease. If this applies to you and you arrive in the UAE without a yellow fever vaccine certificate, there must be consequences.
The local authorities may require you to get a yellow fever vaccine upon entering the country, or you'll have to wait for up to 6 days to ensure you're not an infected person. In the worst case, you'll be denied entry. Therefore, being up-to-date with your vaccines is highly recommended so as not to avoid ruining your travel plans.
UAE Covid-19 restrictions
As of February 26, 2022, you no longer need a Covid-19 PCR test before you fly to the United Arab Emirates. Vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers are welcome to visit Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or other cities in the country with no restrictions. This means you don't need to worry about quarantine requirements, proof of vaccination, or testing requirements.
Covid-19 accepted vaccines
Proof of vaccination is no longer a requirement to visit the UAE. However, travelers are considered fully vaccinated if they're up-to-date with the dose of the following Covid-19 vaccines:
Visiting the UAE: Travel health trips
In addition to vaccines, other measures can help you travel safely to the UAE. Read below for some helpful tips:
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Protect against bug bites: Insects can spread diseases like dengue fever and malaria. Use insect repellent and wear protective clothing to avoid bug bites.
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Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating or touching your face.
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Avoid contact with animals: In the UAE, there is a risk of contracting diseases such as rabies from animals. Avoid contact with stray or wild animals, and seek medical attention if you're bitten or scratched.
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Be prepared for the weather: The UAE can get very hot, especially in the summer. Stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
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Seek medical attention if needed: If you become ill or injured during your trip, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Foreign citizens may need to pay for medical treatment upfront, so be prepared with adequate travel insurance.
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Avoid injecting drugs or sharing needles: Illicit drugs are illegal in the UAE. Besides all the health impacts of drug use, you shouldn't inject drugs and share needles since it increases the risk of transmitting HIV and other blood-borne illnesses and can also lead to severe legal problems there.
What else do I need to travel to the UAE?
A visa! But don't worry; this will be painless. With the UAE Tourist Visa, submitting your visa application takes only a few minutes. The entire process is online and straightforward. Don't you believe it? So check out the simple steps below to get your electronic visa to travel to the UAE.
What is the UAE Tourist eVisa?
The UAE Tourist eVisa, also known as Dubai Visa or Abu Dhabi Visa, is an official travel authorization that allows eligible nationalities to visit the UAE for tourism or business purposes. One of the best things about this visa is that you can easily apply from the comfort of your own home!
With our online visa application service, you can apply for a UAE Tourist Visa in just a few clicks and receive the travel document via email. Once you have your visa, you must present it to the UAE immigration authorities upon arrival. Say goodbye to wasted time at embassy appointments and say hello to easy online applications.
Get your UAE eVisa and prepare to visit the United Arab Emirates!
UAE Tourist eVisa validity
The UAE eVisa is a Single entry document valid for 60 days after issued. This visa allows you to stay for up to 30 days in total in the United Arab Emirates. That's enough time to visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai's amazing attractions and enjoy the warm welcome of the UAE's residents.
Required documents to apply for a UAE Tourist eVisa
If you plan to apply for a UAE Tourist eVisa, you'll be happy to know that the required documents are minimal. Here are the documents you'll need to complete the visa application form:
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Valid passport – Ensure it's valid for at least six months from your arrival date and has at least one blank page.
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Applicant's photo – If you don't have a photo that meets the requirements, don't worry! You can use our digital photo service to get a 100% government-compliant photo.
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Airline confirmation – Make sure that the dates on your airline confirmation match your travel itinerary.
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Birth certificate of minor, if traveling with children.
How to get a UAE visa in three steps with us
We offer a simple and hassle-free process to apply for a UAE Tourist Visa online. In just three easy steps, you can submit your visa application.
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Step 1: Complete the visa application form. You must provide personal information, passport number, and travel details. Ensure you have a confirmed flight ticket before submitting your application. In this step, you must also select the desired visa processing time option.
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Step 2: Double-check all the information and pay the visa fee using your credit or debit card, PayPal, Amazon Pay, or Venmo.
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Step 3: Upload clear scans of all the supporting documents. Then, submit your application. Easy, right?
Once we receive immigration approval, we'll send your eVisa via email. We recommend printing your visa and having it on an electronic device before traveling. This will help ensure a smooth entry process through the United Arab Emirates immigration.
Don't wait until the last minute! Get your UAE eVisa now!
United Arab Emirates Tourist eVisa: Fees and processing times
The cost of the eVisa will vary depending on the processing time you choose and your nationality. We offer three processing options to suit your needs, and we include the government visa fee so you can pay all at once. For example, Indian passport holders have the following options:
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Standard processing time: Get a UAE visa in 10 days for USD $130.99.
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Rush processing time: We'll process your Tourist Visa in 8 days for a fee of USD $140.99.
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Super Rush processing time: The fastest option costs USD $161.99, and you'll receive your document in 6 days.
The prices for our services include the government fee of US$146. Once your visa is ready, you'll receive it via email to present it to the immigration officer upon arrival.
Benefits of getting your UAE Tourist eVisa with us
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Government compliance: Our iVisa experts will review all your application answers to ensure they comply 100% with government requirements.
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Simplified application form: Our visa application form is shorter and clearer than the Embassy website form, making it easy to complete in just a few minutes.
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Complete the form at your own pace: With our platform, you can take your time completing the form, make changes whenever you want, and save your progress.
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Save time: There's no need to waste time visiting an embassy. With our services, you can apply from the comfort of your home and get your visa quickly.
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Your safety is our priority: We take data protection seriously and have a solid security system to ensure your safety.
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Customer support: If you have any questions or concerns, our customer service team can always assist you.
Apply for a UAE Tourist Visa and travel hassle-free!
The United Arab Emirates is a diverse country with a rich culture, welcoming people, and awesome attractions. Before your trip, read our UAE Travel Guide for further information on must-sees, weather conditions, daily costs, and safety advice.
If you have questions about travel documents to the United Arab Emirates, don't hesitate to contact our customer service team via chat or at help@iVisa. We're always happy to help you!