UK will accept approved vaccines administered in the UAE

British expats fully vaccinated in the UAE will be able to return home without mandatory isolation from 4 October if they’ve taken one of four approved vaccines

From 4 October 2021, the UK government will accept UK-approved vaccines administered in the UAE, meaning all UAE residents – nationals and expats – who are fully vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines can enter the UK without the need to isolate simply by showing their vaccination status on the Al Hosn app.

Previously, only vaccines administered in the UK, US or EU were accepted. Those vaccinated elsewhere had to follow the same isolation rules for those who weren’t vaccinated, casting doubt on the efficacy of healthcare programmes overseas.

The move is part of UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps’ overhaul of the country’s travel restrictions. From the same date, fully vaccinated travellers from all countries not on the red list will no longer have to take a PCR test before arrival, and, from later in October, only a lateral flow test on day two after arrival will be required, in place of the more costly PCR test.

The UAE Ambassador to the UK, HE Mansoor Abulhoul, commented: “The UAE welcomes the UK’s decision to recognise UK-approved vaccines administered in the UAE through our world-class vaccination programme from 4 October 2021, which will make it easier for Emiratis and the large British expat community living in the UAE to travel to the UK.”

His Excellency added: “The UAE is at the forefront of the global battle against Covid-19, with 81.6% of the UAE population double vaccinated, and supported by our renowned national testing programme. Further opening up the vital trade and tourism links between the UK and the UAE will enable family and friends to reunite safely, and will allow businesses to further boost their operations. We are looking forward to continuing to work with our friends in the UK to build back better as part of the global Covid-19 recovery; today’s announcement is one more step in the direction of achieving this shared goal.”