Guidelines for passengers departing from, arriving into, or transferring through Abu Dhabi International Airport

Dear Passenger,

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Abu Dhabi International Airport.

We have implemented a wide range of health and safety protocols across our facilities. These have been designed to keep you and your fellow travellers safe and healthy during your visit.

These measures vary, depending on whether you are travelling to or departing from the emirate of Abu Dhabi or other emirates in the UAE.

Please take care to ensure you are aware of what measures you need to follow to ensure a safe and seamless experience at our airport.

Please note that all passengers with visas issued from other emirates can only enter the UAE through Abu Dhabi International Airport if travelling from the ‘Green List’ of countries issued by the Abu Dhabi government, which is available here.

 

Guidelines for passengers departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport and from the emirate of Abu Dhabi

Please make sure to follow the below guidelines if you are departing from Abu Dhabi International Airport:

• You will need to present a negative PCR test result, from a test taken within the past 96 hours, prior to traveling from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
• Check your airline’s guidelines as well as the entry rules and regulations of your final destination and complete any required forms or paperwork prior reachingAbu Dhabi International Airport.
• Where possible, try to check-in online prior reaching the airport.
• Please do not arrive at the airport earlier than four hours ahead of your scheduled departure flight time.
• Travellers without confirmed tickets will not be permitted to enter the check in area.
• You must present a paper-based, negative PCR test result (from a test taken within the past 96 hours) upon your arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Please make sure to have downloaded and activated the ALHOSN UAE application on your smart device in order to receive any required test results ahead of departure from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The application is available through the App Store for iOS devices (iPhones) or the Google Play Store for Android devices.

Please make sure you and anyone you’re travelling with is wearing personal protective equipment, consisting of a mandatory face-mask and the recommended disposable hand gloves.

 

Guidelines for passengers arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport and entering Abu Dhabi

Please make sure to follow the below guidelines when arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport and remaining within Abu Dhabi Emirate:

• All UAE residents must update their details on uaeentry.ica.gov.ae prior traveling to the UAE.
• Ahead of flying to Abu Dhabi, you must present a negative PCR test result, from a test taken within the past 96 hours. Travellers from the United Kingdom must present a negative PCR test result from a test taken within the past 72 hours, or as required by your airline.
• Passengers should fill a health declaration form from origin. (declaration form shall be collected at AUH PCR Testing Facility upon arrival).
• All passengers must have health insurance valid in UAE prior to arrival.
• After you have disembarked from your flight, medical authorities at Abu Dhabi International Airport will perform a free PCR test.

  Passengers arriving at Abu International Airport from the ‘Non-Green List’ countries:

• Following the PCR test, you will be requested to sign a Quarantine Undertaking form while at the airport.
• As part of Abu Dhabi Emirate’s quarantine guidelines, you need to quarantine for 10 days at home or in a hotel.
• If you have arrived from a country that the UAE authorities deem as high-risk, then you will be subject to quarantine at a government facility.
• You will be provided with an electronic wristband, which you will need to wear throughout the 10-day quarantine period.
• 8 days following your arrival into Abu Dhabi, you will need to conduct a second PCR test. The day of your arrival in Abu Dhabi is counted as day 1. Details will be shared upon arrival.
• Should you receive a negative result, the electronic wristband will be removed by medical authorities after 10 days, and you will have to complete your mandatory quarantine.

  Passengers arriving at Abu International Airport from the ‘Green List’ countries:

• You are exempted from quarantine if you have travelled on a direct flight from the list of ‘green countries’, available here. You will still need to conduct a PCR test, sign a travel declaration form, and be registered on the Estijaba platform on arrival into UAE. You will need to self-quarantine at home until you receive a negative PCR test result.

 

Please make sure to have downloaded and activated the ALHOSN UAE application on your smart device upon your arrival at Abu Dhabi to receive your test results. The application is available through the App Store for iOS devices (iPhones) or the Google Play Store for Android devices.

The above measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of all the people living in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. We urge you to closely adhere to these procedures. Violating them will result in penalties and fines issued by the Government of Abu Dhabi.

While you’re at Abu Dhabi International Airport, please make sure you and anyone you’re travelling with is wearing personal protective equipment, consisting of a mandatory face-mask and the recommended disposable hand gloves.

 

Guidelines for passengers departing via Abu Dhabi International Airport from Dubai or the Northern Emirates

To enjoy a smooth and seamless airport experience, we ask that you follow the below guidelines when preparing to depart from our airport from Dubai or the Northern Emirates:

• Check with your airline and your final destination on testing requirements, and ensure your compliance with any guidelines.
• Confirm that you have completed all the paperwork required by your final destination, and ensure it is complete before beginning your journey.
• You will require a negative PCR test result, received at maximum within the past 48 hours, before crossing the border into the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Alternatively, you may present a negative DPI test result, received at maximum within the past 24 hours, before crossing Abu Dhabi border.
• Upon crossing the border into Abu Dhabi, proceed directly to Abu Dhabi International Airport. Failing to do so may result in fines and penalties.

  Please make sure to have downloaded and activated the ALHOSN UAE application on your smart device in order to receive your test results ahead of departure from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The application is available through the App Store for iOS devices (iPhones) or the Google Play Store for Android devices.

Please make sure you and anyone you’re travelling with is wearing personal protective equipment, consisting of a mandatory face-mask and the recommended disposable hand gloves.

 

Guidelines for passengers arriving into Abu Dhabi International Airport and heading to/staying at Dubai or the Northern Emirates

Please note that all passengers with visas issued from other emirates can only enter the UAE through Abu Dhabi International Airport if travelling from the ‘Green List’ of countries issued by the Abu Dhabi government, which is available here.

To enjoy a smooth and seamless airport experience, we ask that you take note of the below guidelines before and during your trip through Abu Dhabi:

• Check with your airline and your final destination on requirements for tests that you need to conduct ahead of flying. Make sure you have a negative PCR test result, from a test taken within the past 96 hours, prior to beginning your journey.
• After you have disembarked from your flight in Abu Dhabi, medical authorities at the airport will perform a free, mandatory PCR test.
• You will need to inform the medical authorities that you will be travelling directly out of Abu Dhabi Emirate, to Dubai or any of the Northern Emirates. This will enable you to be exempted from mandatory quarantine in Abu Dhabi.
• You will only be permitted to travel to another emirate by official Airport Taxi (cost will be paid by the passenger) Etihad Chauffeur, or Etihad Express Coach (if only traveling through Etihad Airways) or authorized Express Coach. You will be escorted to your taxi or car by an airport customer service officer, or the Etihad Express Coach by an Etihad employee.
• After selecting your preferred mode of transport, leave Abu Dhabi International Airport and head directly to your final destination.
• All travelers must obtain health insurance approved in the country before arrival.
• If for any reason you are unable to secure approved transportation to your final destination outside of Abu Dhabi, you will be required to follow standard Abu Dhabi entry and quarantine guidelines, which can be found here.

  Please make sure to have downloaded and activated the ALHOSN UAE application on your smart device in order to receive your PCR test results following your arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The application is available through the App Store for iOS devices (iPhones) or the Google Play Store for Android devices.

Please make sure you and anyone you’re travelling with is wearing personal protective equipment, consisting of a mandatory face-mask and the recommended disposable hand gloves.

 

Instructions for passengers transiting through Abu Dhabi International Airport

To enjoy a smooth and seamless airport experience, we ask that you take note of the below guidelines when transferring through our airport:

• Check with your airline and your final destination on requirements for tests that you need to conduct ahead of flying.
• Make sure you have a negative PCR test result, from a test taken within the past 96 hours, prior to arriving at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
• You will not be required to quarantine or self-isolate.
• You will undergo a thermal scan to ensure that your temperature is in a healthy range.

 

Guidelines issued for passengers travelling from the Republic of India

In line with the guidelines issued by the National Operations Center on April 22 2021, and based on the directives issued regarding travellers coming from Republic of India, it was decided:

• All national and foreign carrier flights coming from the Republic of India will be cancelled, as well as flights for transit passengers to all airports.
• Travellers coming from India through other countries are not allowed to enter the UAE unless they stay more than 14 days in those countries.
• Departure flights will continue from airports in the UAE to India.
• Air cargo flights continue its operations between the two countries.
• The guidelines will apply starting from Saturday April 24 2021 at 23:59pm for 10 days (subject to renewal).
• UAE nationals, diplomatic missions between the two countries, official delegations, UAE Golden Visa holder and private jets are excluded from the decision.
• The following procedures will apply to the excluded groups:
  • Quarantine measures will apply on all travellers for a period of 10 days
  • PCR test at the airport followed by tests on the fourth day and on the eighth day after arrival
  • Reducing the validity period of the PCR test from 72 hours to 48 hours

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to have ICA pre-approval to enter the emirate of Abu Dhabi?

   We advise you contact your airline to be clear on your travel requirements. However, following the announcement of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, you do not need ICA pre-approval to travel to Abu Dhabi. All UAE residents must update their details on uaeentry.ica.gov.ae prior traveling to the UAE

2. I am yet to receive my ICA pre-approval after several attempts. What can I do?

   We advise that you contact the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship directly through their website, available here.

3. Do my children need to do a PCR test at the airport?

   Children under the age of 12 are not required to do a PCR test.

4. What is the price of the PCR test at the airport?

   Testing at the airport for arriving passengers is provided free of charge.

5. Where should I quarantine?

   If your home meets self-isolation conditions, you can quarantine at home. Otherwise, you will need to quarantine at one of Abu Dhabi’s dedicated hotels for quarantining.

6. If I need to quarantine in a hotel, will the room be free?

If you are quarantining in a hotel, you will need to personally cover the cost of your stay.

The above measures have been implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please ensure that you are familiar with and have complied with all requisite protocols to ensure that your trip through Abu Dhabi International Airport is smooth and convenient.

 

Regards,

Abu Dhabi International Airport