UAE Al Hosn App; Getting Green Status as a Foreigner

[Kitchen]

Hello Group,

My wife and I will be leaving for the UAE on December 6th for a month long project.  We are required to download and have active the Al Hosn App, which tracts vaccine status and PCR test results, along with contact tracing.  The App is synced to the UAE government agency that keeps tract of these items and, from what I have read, works great for UAE residents.  

However I have read stories from visitors who end up getting caught in permanent grey status, not be able to do anything.  

We are arriving in Dubai, but will need to travel immediately to Abu Dhabi, which we need to be in green status to be able to do so.  Any advice on making sure this goes smoothly?  

In order to get green status, I have read you need to be vaccinated and have a negative PCR test on record.  In this same article (see below), the author suggests to first upload our passport and vaccine info to the ICA website and then apply for a temporary Unified ID number.  Afterwards, you can download the App, at which time you will be in grey status until you test negative in the UAE.  Assuming you did everything correctly, after testing negative, you will be in green status shortly thereafter. 

Does this sound about right?  Also, I have read that there may be some issues with using a non-UAE phone number.  Is this an issue? 

Thank you in advance, 

Joe 

https://www.thenationalnews.com/health/2021/09/29/how-tourists-can-secure-green-pass-status-when-visiting-abu-dhabi/ 

[BrightonCorgi]

Are you renting or buying a car in Abu Dhabi?  Can you get a virtual UAE telephone number?  At least you clear customs and plenty of US staff are in UAE airports to help.  I found people in UAE are pretty helpful over all.

[Mikepd]

You do not need to be vaccinated to go to the UAE currently, but it is highly recommended, additionally only UAE residents and expats can receive a vaccine within the UAE.  Within 96 (72 depending on airline) hours before your flight departs for the UAE you should have taken a PCR test and have received the results (negative) prior to boarding.  If you have a positive PCR test, don't even bother trying to fly into the UAE currently.  When you arrive in the UAE you'll need to take another PCR test and then again on the 6th day after entry; if both of those tests come back negative, you'll be "good" for your month visit.  Avoid Sharjah still as they are still operating as their own 'country-in-a-country'.

 

As for using the app, upload your passport and vaccine documents, get your ID number, register in the app, make sure all the information is correct to you, upload your test results, make sure the results are correct, get a hotel room in the Dubai airport hotel when you land, take test #2, call, call, call.  With non-residents using the app, there will always be a delay for the pairing of data to passport information, then back into the app.  You will need to call the phone number from your hotel room (or a UAE number) repeatedly to get all of the information paired "fast".  If it doesn't sound like you are bothering them when you call to ask for an update, you haven't called enough yet.

[Kitchen]

Thanks for the info.   This should be interesting to say the least.  Hopefully we packed enough downtown into our itinerary.