Dubai Essential Info

Preparing for your experience

Be sure to bring personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, travel-sized hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, facial tissues and disinfecting wipes or spray. 

Clothing 

Choose versatile, casual clothing that can be layered if the weather (or level of air-conditioning) requires. Smart casual attire is appropriate for evenings. Formal clothing is not necessary. Temples, mosques and other religious sites require conservative dress. Both sexes should cover their arms, legs and shoulders (women should pack a scarf for this purpose.) Wear or carry a pair of socks when sightseeing, since shoes must be removed when visiting certain religious sites. 

Casual slacks 

  • Polo shirts, casual short-sleeve shirts or blouses 
  • Long comfortable skirts for women 
  • Sweater or lightweight jacket
  • Brimmed hat for sun protection 
  • Sleepwear
  • Socks

Other Recommended Items 

  • Sunglasses
  • Simple first-aid kit 
  • Extra eyeglasses/contact lenses 
  • Charging cables for electronics 

Optional Items 

  • Small LED flashlight 
  • Small daypack or fanny pack 
  • Walking shorts
    Long sleeve shirts or blouses 
  • Scarf large enough to cover neck and shoulders for women 
  • Comfortable walking shoes with traction 
  • Foldable umbrella to use as sun shade
  • Personal garments
    Swimwear/cover-up 
  •  Sun block / Insect repellent 
  • Prescriptions and medications (in their original bottles and/or packaging) 
  • Smartphone
  • Global travel adapter 
  • Foldable walking stick 

Essential Info

CASH & CREDIT CARDS 

Cash transactions should be made in local currency. Major credit cards are widely accepted for goods and services. Access to ATM machines is widespread in cities and towns but may be limited in rural areas. 

OF SPECIAL NOTE: ALCOHOL IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 

Alcoholic beverages are widely available for non-Muslim adults in most high-end restaurants and hotel bars. However, the possession and/or consumption of alcohol in public outside of these establishments is prohibited and punishable by law. 

Laundry service is available at most hotels and dry cleaning is available in larger cities. Check costs and return times before using these services. 

TIPPING GUIDELINES 

While decisions regarding tipping rest entirely with you, we suggest the following gratuities (noted in U.S. dollars). 

Daily Experiences
$25 per person, per day (full day)
$15 per person, per day (half day) 

Airport Transfer Drivers 

  • Hotel Porters 
  • Housekeepers 
  • Included Meals 
  • Restaurants or Room Service on Own 

$5 per person, per transfer
$2 per bag

Passports & Visas

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey ends, and should have a minimum of one (1) blank visa page for entry and exit stamps. 

A tourist visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders for entry into the United Arab Emirates. Tourist visas, which are valid for stays of up to 30 days, are currently being offered free of charge on arrival at all points of entry (subject to change without notice). Guests need not obtain a visa prior to departure. 

Note: Individuals who were born in Israel or hold Israeli passports are generally not permitted to enter the United Arab Emirates. 

Citizens of other countries should contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their journey. 

CDC Information

REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO COVID-19 

JSL requires proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for travel on all experiences for departures beginning January 1, 2022. Visit the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov or the Government of Canada at travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories for comprehensive and up-to-date country entry requirements as well as information for onward travel. 

No proof of negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result for vaccinated travelers. 

Fully vaccinated travelers with proof of vaccination that does not include a QR code are required to follow the rules for unvaccinated travelers and must have a negative COVID-19 test result before traveling to Dubai.

Those coming to the UAE have to make sure to present an approved QR code- accompanied Covid-19 vaccination certificate containing a QR code; unvaccinated travelers have to present an approved negative PCR test result received within 48 hours, or a QR code-accompanied certificate of recovery from a Covid-19 infection obtained within one month from the date of travel.

Source: https://covid19.ncema.gov.ae/en/News/Details/2316

Mandatory Proof of Vaccination: 

Fully vaccinated travelers must have proof of vaccination with a QR code to be exempt from the requirement to provide proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result. Travelers must have received a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government. Travelers must have received a minimum of 2 doses of an accepted 2 dose vaccine at least 14 days before departure, or 1 dose of the Janssen vaccine at least 28 days before departure. The accepted 2 dose vaccines are AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria/SK Bioscience/Oxford/Covishield), Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik V, COVAXIN, and Novavax (Covovax/Nuvaxovid). Travelers are also considered fully vaccinated after recovering from COVID-19 and receiving a valid medical certificate issued by relevant authorities, showing that travelers have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 1 month (from the date of recovery to the date of arrival), with a QR code. Vaccination certificates must be in English or Arabic and include a QR code. Vaccination certificates can be in printed or digital form. SMS certificates are not accepted. Vaccination certificates languages other than English or Arabic may be accepted if they can be validated at the departure point. Travelers unable to present valid proof of vaccination or recovery with a QR are required to comply with rules for unvaccinated travelers.

Dubai 

  • Unvaccinated travelers must provide printed, documented proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test with a QR code taken within 48 hours of the departure of your final flight leg to Dubai. SMS and digital certificates are not accepted
  • Travelers may be requested to undergo an additional PCR test on arrival in Dubai. Travelers tested on arrival are required to quarantine at their hotel until the test results are confirmed. Should the test prove positive, the traveler must remain quarantined in a hotel room and retested until a negative test result is achieved. All related costs are the responsibility of the traveler. 
  • For economic and tourist sectors, physical distancing has been canceled while mask-wearing in closed places is still mandatory.
  • All travelers are required to download the COVID-19 DXB app on their smart phone. 

➢For Android please visit play.google.com/store/apps/gov.dha.covid19
➢ For iPhones please visit apps.apple.com/ae/app/covid19-dxb-smart-app 

https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions/AE-DU?originCountry=USA&nationality=USA&destinationAirport=DXB&departureDate=2022-05-03&returnDate=2022-05-10&tripType=roundTrip&transitType=noTransit&fullyVaccinated=true&language=en-US

Abu Dhabi 

  • All travelers must provide printed, documented proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test with a QR code taken within 48 hours of the departure of your final flight leg to Abu Dhabi. SMS and digital certificates are not accepted. 
  • All travelers, at least 48 hours prior to travel, need to register on the ICA Smart Travel Service website and complete the 'Register Arrivals Form': ICA Smart Services. All travelers need to upload proof of their vaccine record and PCR test to obtain a QR code needed for entry to Abu Dhabi. Please note: although the form indicates the vaccination record attachment is optional, we strongly advise all travelers proactively complete this step to avoid potential issues locally. 
  • All travelers will be subject to an additional PCR test to be administered on arrival in Abu Dhabi. Upon entering the emirate, all travelers regardless of origin will proceed to the Abu Dhabi health check desk. This applies to all guests, including infants and children. The test is done at no cost, and there is no need to quarantine while waiting for the results. Tests are turned around within 1 to 2 hours. 

➢ If a traveler tests positive locally, they will be contacted by health officials via the Al Hosn App and required to quarantine. If a traveler is required to quarantine, they will be provided with an electronic wristband, to wear throughout the 10-day quarantine period. Only health officials are authorized to install and remove it upon receiving a negative result after 10 days. Travelers are required to pay any related quarantine costs. 

  • It is recommended that travelers download the Al Hosn app on their smart phone locally. After receiving the negative results of the PCR test conducted on arrival in Abu Dhabi, all travelers will register using the UID number received on arrival to receive a ‘green status.’ This green status on the app will be required for entry into most establishments, sites, restaurants, etc. This UID number can be found on the visa passport stamp applied to your passport on arrival. 

➢ For Android please visit ALHOSN UAE - Apps on Google Play
➢ For iPhones please visit apps.apple.com/ae/app/alhosn-uae/id1505380329 

  • Travelers entering Abu Dhabi by road via other emirates will not be subject to any further requirements beyond those of the emirate to which they arrive. 
  • Various public establishments and major attractions in Abu Dhabi require tourists to show a PCR test result taken within 72-96 hours prior to entry. Additionally, other public venues including restaurants may also require presenting the Green Pass on the Al Hosn App in order to enter the establishment. 

Requirements for Returning Home or Onward Travel 

JSL will arrange COVID-19 PCR testing during your time in United Arab Emirates. The current cost for local testing ranges from USD $80 - $90 (subject to change) and can be paid by credit card or cash in local currency. Note: COVID-19 PCR testing in the United Arab Emirates is available through most hotels. The day after your arrival, JSL’s local representative can visit your hotel to assist locally in scheduling your PCR testing needs. The local representative confirms your appointment and collects payment along with a copy of your passport. For shorter stays, please coordinate prior to departure to confirm testing appointment with JSL if needed. 

Guests returning to the United States 

Before boarding a flight to the United States, all travelers are required to show printed or electronic proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR or rapid antigen) result taken no more than one (1) day before travel, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the last 90 days. 

For up-to-date details and FAQs visit Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 | CDC. Be sure to check state COVID-19 entry requirements, as they may vary. 

Guests returning to Canada 

All travelers, including Canadian passport holders, must provide printed or electronic proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their flight to Canada. Additional information can be found at travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories. 

Note all guests with flights connecting through and/or continuing to other countries should check the specific COVID-19 entry requirements. 

VACCINATIONS & MEDICATIONS 

A yellow fever vaccination is only required to enter the United Arab Emirates if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a yellow fever-endemic area in South America or Africa. The CDC and WHO each provide a current list of all affected countries. If vaccination for yellow fever is necessary, you must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination provided by your physician; you may be denied entry without it. If your physician advises against receiving the vaccination because of your personal medical history, he or she can provide you with the necessary documentation for the country/countries you are visiting. 

Bringing Medications into the United Arab Emirates 

Please note that the United Arab Emirates strictly controls the import (even for personal use) of some prescription and over-the-counter medications which are commonly used in the United States. We suggest that you consult the UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention online at Issue of Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use | Services | Ministry of Health and Prevention - UAE (mohap.gov.ae) for further information. 

STAY HEALTHY ON THE ROAD 

In accordance with local regulations, face masks and disposable gloves must be worn in vehicles. Face masks are also required at indoor spaces, and any outdoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible. We encourage you to bring your own masks; a supply will be on hand where needed. Note all protocols are subject to change in accordance with relevant guidelines, local regulations and conditions. 

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