COVID-19: UAE Residents Not Allowed To Travel For Tourism Until Further Notice

A spokesperson from the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) stated that currently travelling abroad is only allowed in cases of repatriation, study, medical treatment diplomatic missions, business in commercial and economic sectors, and residents who need to visit their home countries.

Before attempting to leave the UAE residents and citizens must go through an approval process by submitting an application on the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website and wait for an official permit.

Citizens and residents who are above 70 and suffer from chronic diseases will not be allowed to travel.

UAE citizens and residents will have to register and apply via smartservices.ica.gov.ae prior to their trip

Those flying with Emirates Airlines will have to additionally fill in a declaration from the airline must be to clarify if the country being travelled to is of medium or high-risk.

An Emirates Airlines representative said 

"All Dubai residents must do this, whether you are returning after the travel restrictions or you want to fly out of Dubai and return," the airline said.

"If your application is approved, you will receive an email with a GDRFA reference number. If the application can’t be processed, you can try again later.

"Once you have your approval, you can book your ticket and you will be asked to enter your GDRFA reference number."

The process gives residents "assurance that they can come back before they fly out".

So don't go making your travel plans just yet, restrictions are changing on a daily basis. Keep an eye out for more updates here as they come.