Coronavirus: Dubai visa holders can fly into any UAE airport, official clarifies

All Dubai residents do, however, still need permission to return from the GDRFA immigration service

A sign indicating the wearing of a face mask is mandatory at a bus station in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A sign promoting safe distancing at a bus station in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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People push trollies, as they head to board a plane at Beirut International airport, Lebanon. Reuters

A woman embraces a man before she heads to board a plane at Beirut International airport, Lebanon. Reuters

Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hassan speaks about local issues concerning the coronavirus during an interview in Beirut. AP Photo

A man pets his horse after a cart race in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters

An Egyptian merchant is seen in action during a horse cart race in Cairo. Reuters

People sit in their cars watching a movie in a drive-in cinema at Bahrain Bay in Manama, Bahrain. Reuters

Dubai residents can fly into any airport in the UAE providing they have prior permission, immigration officials have clarified.

The federal government recently relaxed rules requiring people to apply for clearance to return.

But this did not apply to Dubai, which has its own immigration service and crisis management committee that issues different rules to the rest of the country.

Residents of Dubai must still seek permission from the emirate’s immigration service, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).

In an online Q&A session on Saturday, Mohammed Al Marri, director general of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, confirmed that the permission allowed residents to land anywhere in the country.

“For arriving UAE residents through Dubai or Abu Dhabi airports, the GDRFA permit allows residents to return to Dubai through any UAE airport,” said Maj Gen Al Marri.

He also confirmed “all residents of the UAE can return to the country”.

Anyone flying to the UAE, including Dubai, must show proof they are Covid-19 free before they board the aircraft.

Only Dubai residents who take a test on arrival, which does not apply to all travellers, are required to quarantine. If the test is negative, they can leave their hotel or home. But if it is positive, they must continue to isolate for 14 days.  Dubai residents must also download the Covid-19 DXB app.

The rules are different for people flying into other UAE airports, which require everyone to take a second test.

They must also download the Al Hosn app and quarantine for 14 days if they live anywhere else other than Dubai, regardless of the result. The 14-day quarantine is also mandatory for all residents of the other six emirates who land in Dubai.