COVID-19 Travel Frequently Asked Questions
Publication
08 March 2022This information is current as of 08 March, 2022
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Please Note
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Click below to jump to relevant information regarding the following countries:
Ireland
United Arab Emirates
Qatar
Kuwait
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Ireland
What requirements apply for travel to Ireland from UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Afghanistan?
There is no longer a requirement to provide any COVID-19 public health documentation or to complete a Passenger Locator Form for the purpose of travel to Ireland.
Detailed updates on new travel requirements for entry into Ireland can be found on: gov.ie - Government advice on international travel (www.gov.ie). Please read these carefully before planning travel to Ireland.
Can I get an Irish/EU Digital Covid Certificate if I have been vaccinated in UAE, Kuwait, Qatar or Afghanistan?
You can apply for an EU Digital COVID Certificate for Covid vaccinations received outside the EU. You must hold a valid Irish passport and documentation confirming that you have been fully vaccinated in a non-EU country/state.
The form to apply for the EU DCC can be found on covidcertificateportal.gov.ie.
Please direct any questions about accessing an EU Digital Covid Certificate on hotline 1800 807 008 or live chat, which have been set up specifically for this portal.
The UAE is now linked to the EU Covid-19 Digital Certificate System (EU DCC), with UAE digital vaccine certificates on the Al Hosn application now equivalent to vaccine certificates in Europe. This means people vaccinated in the UAE will be able to use the Al Hosn app throughout Europe in the same way the EU Digital Pass is used.
Do you have any information on how to get vaccinated in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Afghanistan?
The Irish Embassy cannot advise Irish citizens on how to obtain vaccinations in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait or Afghanistan, nor can we intervene in the respective national vaccine programmes. Citizens are advised to monitor information from the local health authorities about the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination programmes in the country where they reside.
I am travelling to Ireland and have a query about visas for entry to Ireland
For queries related to visas for entry to Ireland, please visit www.irishimmigration.ie or contact the Visa Team for further assistance via the Contact Us form at the end of the page.
United Arab Emirates
What are the requirements when travelling from Ireland to the UAE?
Information on travel to, from and through the UAE is available on Etihad Travel Updates and Emirates Travel Updates. This includes information on pre- and post-travel requirements.
Information on quarantine measures in place in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah is available on the UAE Government Information website. There are alternative quarantine guidelines for passengers arriving at Ras Al Khaimah.
If you are in the UAE, you should monitor local media and comply with the directions of local authorities.
Are there specific requirements when travelling to Dubai?
You should confirm the latest pre-travel PCR testing and other travel requirements on the Emirates website or check with your travel provider for confirmation prior to travel.
Any passenger flying into Dubai for onward travel to Abu Dhabi will need to comply with the Abu Dhabi guidelines.
Are there specific requirements when travelling to Abu Dhabi?
For information on requirements for international travel to Abu Dhabi, please read the following carefully COVID-safe travel to and from Abu Dhabi
Ireland is currently on the Green list for travel to Abu Dhabi. This means quarantine is not required for travellers arriving into Abu Dhabi from Ireland, regardless of vaccination status.
Please see the Etihad guidelines for further information.
Can I enter the emirate of Abu Dhabi by road?
Information on entry to Abu Dhabi by land is available onCOVID-safe travel to and from Abu Dhabi
Please note that failure to take PCR tests on the appointed days can result in fines and penalties.
If you are entering Dubai to get a flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport it is recommended that you allow sufficient time for delays at the border.
What restrictions are in place in Abu Dhabi?
As of 20 August 2021, entry to public places in Abu Dhabi is conditional on being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and having ‘green status’ on the Al Hosn app. This includes access to government buildings, hotels, restaurants, schools and shopping malls.
Unvaccinated individuals and those with ‘grey status’ on the Alhosn app, which reflects an expired PCR test, are prohibited from entering these public places.
Visitors or those vaccinated abroad (including in Ireland) must register on their arrival and upload an international vaccination certificate on ICA Smart Services. Further information can be found on Process For Verifying International Vaccination Certificates For Visitors To Abu Dhabi Emirate.
If you are experiencing difficulties registering vaccination certificates, ICA and Al Hosn can be contacted directly: Contact Us (ica.gov.ae) and/or Contact us (alhosnapp.ae).
Further details and announcements can be found on UAE COVID-19 Updates (ncema.gov.ae) or by contacting the local Abu Dhabi authorities.
I am an Irish citizen and I need to update or change my UAE visa status. Can I do this?
Updates on UAE visas can be found on the UAE Information and Services website.
If you have any questions on the validity or expiry of your visa, or on change of visa status (e.g. from a residency visa to a visit visa) you should contact UAE immigration (ICA for visas issued by Abu Dhabi and other emirates; and GDRFA for visas issued by Dubai). In Dubai you can also call also call AMER on 800 5111 or +97143139999 or visit one of the AMER centres located in Dubai.
If your UAE residency visa has been cancelled, you will need to leave the UAE within 30 days or change the status of your visa to remain in the country legally and to avoid fines.
Qatar
What are the requirements when travelling to Qatar?
Information on travel to, from and through Qatar is available on Qatar Travel and Return Policy Qatar Travel and Return Policy (moph.gov.qa)
Instructions on how to pre-register on Ehteraz website before traveling to Qatar is available on Pre-register on Ehteraz
I am a Qatar resident but currently abroad. Can I return to Qatar?
The granting of approval to return to Qatar is at the discretion of Qatari authorities. Applications for approval must be submitted through the Qatar Portal.
What restrictions are in place in Qatar?
See information and guidance on Covid-related restrictions in place in Qatar here. You should monitor local media and comply with the directions of local authorities.
Kuwait
What are the requirements when travelling to Kuwait?
Information on requirements for travel to and from Kuwait is available on the Kuwait Civil Aviation and Kuwait International Airport websites.
If you hold valid Kuwaiti residency and are outside Kuwait, your residency is now valid until its expiry date, and does not automatically expire after 6 months outside Kuwait.
Passengers intending to travel to Kuwait should check the latest information published by the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Mosafer app.
Confirmation of vaccine status must be approved and registered with the Kuwait Ministry of Health-affiliated Immune application or on the Mobile Civil ID app.
What restrictions are in place in Kuwait?
Information on current restrictions in place in Kuwait are available on Instruction Manual for Plan for a Gradual Return to Normalcy.
If you are in Kuwait, you should monitor developments regularly and follow the advice and any additional screening measures put in place by local authorities.
