Destinations

How Safe Is It To Visit UAE? : UAE Travel Safety Guide

March 07, 2021

Envisage a place strewn with full-throttle development, fancy malls, world-class beach resorts, swanky hotels, staggering skyscrapers, and an outstanding coastline. And think it to be an unsafe place to visit? This would be hard to fathom. We are talking about an up-to-the-minute luxury destination – the United Aran Emirates.

Simply called the Emirates, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a lavish country in Western Asia, bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman. The rich nation, which is recognized for its vast swath of sandy beaches and turquoise water, is made of seven emirates and is magnificently embellished with top-of-the-line buildings, public facilities, and contemporary roads. If you are contemplating a family holiday to the UAE, but apprehensive about your family’s safety, this blog will wipe out all concerns and fears, and make your trip to UAE just a memorable and forever cherished one.

Also Read: 11 Best Places to Visit in Sharjah

Is Travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Safe during COVID-19?

The United Arab Emirates is now absolutely open for travellers. However, some COVID-19 safety measures must be followed to ensure there’s the least possibility of getting infected or spreading the virus. Here are a few requirements to keep in mind before landing in the UAE.

All passengers arriving in the Emirates must hold a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test certificate.
The test should have been taken, at least, 72 hours before departure.
The PCR test certificates in languages other than English or Arabic are acceptable if validated at the originating station.
Those arriving from Angola, Afghanistan, Sudan, Bangladesh, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Egypt, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Georgia, Tunisia, Eritrea, Ghana, Hungary, Guinea, India, Iran, Indonesia, Zambia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, South Sudan, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Nepal, Nigeria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Romania, Philippines, Rwanda, Russia, Uganda, Senegal, Slovakia, Tanzania, Somaliland, South Africa, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe will have to take another PCR test upon arrival.

Test Exemptions –

Passengers who have a disability (moderate or severe) and children under the age of 12 are exempted from the COVID-19 PCR test.

What’s the Current COVID Situation?

The United Arab Emirates has done an excellent job in containing the virus throughout 2020. The country has also been cited as one of the successful cases when it comes to handling the pandemic. Mask-wearing is mandatory for travellers to the country, as is keeping a 2-meter social distance.

COVID-19 Vaccination Status –

People who have stable blood pressure and heart rate are eligible to get vaccinated right now.
They should be 18 years or above.
The country has 4 COVID-19 vaccines for use –

o Sinopharm

o One by Pfizer-BioNTech

o Sputnik V

o The Latest by Oxford-AstraZeneca.

All the vaccines are available in the country. Medically eligible citizens and residents can get vaccinated free of charge, as per the priority announced by the health authorities of the UAE.

A Few Other Travel Safety Measures to Keep in Mind While Visiting the UAE?

In recent years when the overall growth of infrastructure in the Emirates began exploding, it caught the attention of not just skilled workers but also global holidaymakers. Today, it is thronged by millions of visitors from various parts of the world. Here are a few other tips for you to consider while travelling to the UAE!

Travel Risk (Low)

Travel Risk (Medium/ High)

Transport Risk – Low: While on the road, drive with caution. Don’t drive off-road as it may cause serious accidents. Better to hire a car and let some professionals take good care of you.

Terrorism Risk – Low: Make sure you keep on obtaining the news all the time. If you are booking your holiday via a renowned travel company like SATA, they will ensure your safety to the fullest.

Scams Risk – Low: There’s nothing to be worried about. The locals are pretty well-off. And, there’s no scam in the country.

Mugging Risk – Low: The Emirates is a country made up of more foreigners than locals. While the original residents are rich and well-to-do, they wouldn’t like to indulge themselves in mugging and kidnapping. And speaking of foreigners, they are on a work VISA. Getting into such a thing would result in deportation.

Natural Disaster Risk – Medium: Natural disaster? What could it be? A handful of natural disasters are to be blamed – sand storms, thunderstorms, and high temperatures (reaching as high as 50⁰ C). Visit the Global Disaster Alert and Coordinate System for more information on natural disasters.

Women Traveller’s Risk – Medium: The United Arab Emirates has strict rules and policies for criminals. Considering stern actions, it can be said that it is a wonderful destination for female travellers. However, it is imperative that you stay alert all the time if travelling alone.

Pickpocket Risk – Medium: This could be something to be worried about if you are on your own, walking down busy streets. Look at the staggering figure that the UAE welcomes every year.

Overall Risk – Low: Compared to other nations – even the developed ones – the UAE is an ideal place to travel with your near and dear ones. It is, doubtlessly, one of the safest countries in the world to travel with family and friends.

Taking the above aspects into consideration, it can be said that the UAE is a much safer destination to travel with your family. Although the country is not crime-free at all, the violence here is mostly domestic in nature.

What’s More to Know Before Visiting the UAE?

The following information will come in handy if you are visiting the United Arab Emirates.

Weather: Hot spells in the UAE are infamous. Be ready to face temperatures that can reach as high as 50⁰C. The hottest months in the Emirates are June, July, August, and September. Drink a lot of fluids and avoid direct contact with sun exposure.

VISA: No advance visa requirements are required and you earn 30-day visit eligibility if you are a resident of the below country or territory (just make sure you have a valid passport.)

Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Hong Kong (China), Japan, Kazakhstan, Macau (China), Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, San Marino, Singapore, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Northern Ireland, United States of America and Vatican City.

UAE Visa and passport requirements differ for US and non-US citizens. Also, the laws keep changing in accordance with the change in circumstances. The best way to make sure of your compliance would be opting for Visa services in UAE.

UAE Visa and Passport Requirements for US Citizens – If the duration of visit to the United Arab Emirates is less than one month, the residents of the USA with a US passport valid for more than 6 months will not need a UAE visa before arrival. The travellers must possess the following –

A US passport that is valid for more than 6 months.
Confirmed round-trip airline ticket.

UAE Visa and Passport Requirements for Non-US Citizens – Travellers coming from countries other than the US must have the following visa requirements –

A passport that is valid for more than 6 months from the date of arrival in the country.
Confirmed round-trip airline ticket.

Note: As part of its efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, as per the official website of UAE, the country had suspended issuing new visas in March 2020. For more information and clarification, you may contact ICA on 600-522-222.

Currency: Dirham, is the official currency in the UAE.

Airports: The United Arab Emirates is serviced by 9 major airports. Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport are the largest airports in the country.

Your health and safety matter the most, hence all the airports in the country take adequate and appropriate COVID-19 safety and disinfection measures and precautions. Travel safely from door to door and take a breath of fresh air as you gear up to take your first step in the country.

Let’s have a quick look at the things you should expect on your journey to the UAE –
Wearing a mask is compulsory during boarding and throughout your flight.
Only passengers with extreme medical conditions (down syndrome, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hydrocephalus, autism spectrum condition, asthma, heart failure, COPD, and cystic fibrosis) may not wear a mask. However, they must complete a Medical Information Form before their flight.
In case of connecting flight, the authorities would prefer you to keep your mask on through the airport.
Having gloves and maintaining enough space from others is highly recommended.
You are likely to receive a hygiene kit on board. The kit would contain a mask, hand sanitiser, gloves, and antibacterial wipes.

Note:

Travellers flying into the United Arab Emirates must hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure.
If required, tourists will be asked to take another PCR test upon arrival.
The travellers, who take the test at the airport, have to stay in their hotels until the test result is out.
Mandatory quarantine for COVID-19 positive travellers. They must follow the government health authority guidelines.
All Android and iOS mobile phone users can download the COVID-19 – DXB Smart App.

Also Read: 9 Must-Try UAE Traditional Sweets

Safest Places to Visit During COVID

The luxury holiday destination is also one of the safest places on earth to visit. From the mesmerising Palm Islands to the sky-touching architectural wonders, you will never fall short of wonderful places and attractions to visit in the UAE.

1. Dubai: The city of Dubai showcases not just the tallest building in the world but also flaunts a multitude of moods with an array of shopping malls, world-famous cuisines, amusement parks, and sandy coast. The best times/months to visit Dubai would be November and December.

2. Sharjah: If you are planning a trip to the UAE from October till April, Sharjah should be the destination to choose from. Steeped in the rich heritage, the wonderful city of Sharjah is incredibly packed with a wide range of sites, offering you glimpses of varied facets of the UAE’s rich culture.
3. Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is all set to bestow you a lavish experience. It is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is home to Marina Mall, Ferrari World, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and more. The best time/month to visit Abu Dhabi is December through March. The city is well-known for Al Jahili Fort, Emirates Palace, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Currently, UAE is one of the safest places to be with the best in class safety protocols in place and one of the best vaccination rate in the world. Get social with us at SATA Travels to know more about our UAE visa services, hotel booking services, and inbound-outbound UAE flights tailored to fit your plans