UAE to lift ban on flights from Pakistan on August 5

The United Arab Emirates will lift the ban on some categories of passengers entering from Pakistan to the UAE as of August 5.

Moreover, the Emirates states will also restore the transit flights from Pakistan and other countries banned due to the spread of the coronavirus.

The National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said Tuesday the United Arab Emirates will lift a ban on transit passenger traffic from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Uganda from August 5.

The UAE, a major international travel hub, has banned passengers from many South Asian and African countries for several months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NCEMA said on Twitter that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been suspended would be able to transit through its airports from Thursday as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours prior to departure.

#NCEMA and Civil Aviation: Entry to the UAE will be allowed for some categories of passengers from countries, from where inbound flights to the Emirates have been banned. #TogetherWeRecover  https://t.co/uvqhZXyKLy pic.twitter.com/I5cgoDbrrC

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 3, 2021

Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.

NCEMA said that a ban on entry to the UAE for passengers from these countries would also be lifted for those with valid residencies and who are certified by Emirati authorities as fully vaccinated.

Following categories have been allowed to enter the UAE from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda:

Those with valid residency visas who received the two doses of vaccine in the UAE, and that 14 days passed since receiving the second dose as well as having vaccination certificates approved by official authorities in the country.

Medical personnel working in the country including doctors, nurses, technicians

Those working in the educational sector who teach in universities, colleges, schools and institutes

Students studying in the country

People who deserve humanitarian consideration with valid residency visa

Workers in federal and local government authorities

Cases of those completing treatment in the country

Requirements

The passenger following in these categories would need the following requirements for entering the UAE.

Submit a request on the website of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to obtain the necessary approvals.

Vaccination certificates certified by the concerned authorities in the country.

Submit a prior PCR test within (48) hours from the date of departure, provided that the tests are from accredited laboratories and carry a QR Code.

That laboratory test is conducted before boarding the plane.

They must follow the precautionary and preventive measures upon arrival, including quarantine and PCR checks upon and after arrival, in addition to follow-up and health monitoring.

Resumption of travel for transit passengers

Travel will also resume for transit passengers from all countries from which transit passengers were previously banned, provided that the traveller's last destination is accepted and a laboratory PCR test is submitted within (72) hours from the time of departure.

The country's airports will allocate special lounges for transit passengers while taking all precautionary and preventive measures.

Previously exempted categories

Earlier, the GCAA exempted official delegations and businessmen, subject to obtaining prior approval, as well as golden and silver residency holders. It also exempted holders of essential jobs according to the classification of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), and foreign aircraft crews, provided that a negative PCR test was obtained within 48 hours of departure and upon arrival, and adhere to the quarantine period.