New Travel Rules UAE: 5-year Visa And Charter Flights

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced stricter precautionary measures and travel rules against Covid for the sake of flight passengers in the UAE, through a recently issued circular.

Raheesh Babu, group COO of Musafir.com, which is an internet travel agency, has expressed that passengers arriving in Dubai have been stringently undergoing all these procedures. Moreover, the GCAA approval process was made very stringent for better safety against the virus.

What Are The New Travel Rules?

Some of the new regulations as part of the Covid-19 safety protocol include compulsorily using wristband tracking devices. The exempted travelers have to mandatorily don the tracking devices for a minimum of ten days. So far, these bands have been given out to those reaching Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

This is according to the information given by travel agencies and chartered flight operators. Even as early as September 2020, officials in Abu Dhabi had been requesting incoming commuters to wear similar gadgets throughout their 14-day self-isolation.

Apart from these rules, one other guideline specified is that passengers have to take a PCR test as soon as they arrive. Throughout their day quarantine, they must take PCR tests on the fourth and eighth day. During the transit period, passengers are required to isolate themselves in a hotel. This is to be done so that there are restricted to traveling between the airport and the hotel, preventing contact with UAE residents. 

It also added that every passenger will have to face immigration procedures upon arrival in the UAE. Unscheduled and chartered aircraft need to get the permission of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), which needs to be informed at least 5 days prior to the flight.

Who Do These Rules Apply To?

These rules are especially concerning previously exempted groups as well as members of the crew working from nations specified in the safety decision. It applies to both regular and chartered flights coming from countries that currently have flight restrictions introduced.

Those having the UAE Silver Visa also now have permission to enter the country through flights from where travelers’ entry has been prevented. Silver Visa holders are those allowed to reside in UAE for up to 5 years. Earlier, only those having residency permits for 10 years, that is, the golden visa holders could enter UAE. Along with them, UAE citizens and individuals and groups on diplomatic missions were the other sets of people allowed entry from restricted regions.

According to the circular, these rules apply to all flight operators having aircraft flowing into and from the UAE and India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nepal, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Zambia.

The UAE authorities have announced these new regulations because of recent developments on the virus outbreak. The advisory mentioned that the government is looking over the pandemic situation constantly so that the rules and instructions can be revised as required. GCAA authorities have ensured that a copy of this circular reaches all the concerned parties.