Following the widely shared information that all travellers would need prior approval to carry personal medicines into the UAE, authorities have clarified the information.

The amended Ministry of Health website now states the rule only applies to controlled substances and ‘the traveller is not obliged to obtain prior electronic approval for other drugs’.

The full list of controlled drugs and requirements are listed here.

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Need to carry controlled substances? Find the online form here – approval takes approximately one day.

Pre-approval is required for controlled medications

The report notes that all medications will be subject to inspection on entry to the UAE and all travellers are required to carry prescriptions for medications.

Travellers are not prohibited to carry more than a three month’s supply of prescription medication.