How do I calculate the time frame to take my Covid-19 travel test?
Calculating time frame for your Covid travel test can be a challenge because each country have their respective time requirement. However, the time frame is calculated from the time your RT-PCR sample is collected to your flight timing for your destination.
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The Turnaround time calculation for the Covid-19 travel test = The Time gap between the sample collection and the flight timing for your destination. |
When do I take my RT-PCR test for travel?
Check with the airlines or destination Government guidelines for the validity requirement of the number of hours before the test to be taken. Every country has different guidelines. To ensure that you get your Covid-19 test on time for your travel, you can use this handy PCR Time Calculator – what time should I make an appointment for the PCR test before flight?
PRE-DEPARTURE PCR TEST
Time for Test Result: within 24 hours
Required for: Pre-departure test, For Business Travel, For Medical, For MICE events or Group Bookings, For Training & Conferences.
Includes free fit-to-fly travel certificate
We have assorted a list of countries and their PCR test requirements so that it can be easy for calculating time frame:
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for Africa:
Travel to Algeria – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 36 hours before departure. Passengers must undergo COVID‑19 Antigen testing on arrival in Algeria.
Travel to Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) – COVID‑19 testing requirements
A printed negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate taken not more than five (05) days from the date of collection is required.
Travel to Ethiopia – COVID‑19 testing requirements
A printed copy of a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate taken not more than 5 days before arrival. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT antibody test) are not accepted.
Travel to Kenya – COVID‑19 testing requirements
A printed copy of a negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate taken not more than 96 hours before departure at check‑in.
Travel to Sudan – COVID‑19 testing requirements
A negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate valid within 72 hours of issuance or 96 hours of issuance for passengers arriving from North and South America, the European Union and the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Travel to Tanzania – COVID‑19 testing requirements
A negative COVID‑19 PCR test certificate taken not more than 72 hours before arrival in Tanzania.
Travel to Angola, Egypt, Ghana, Conakry (CKY), Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure.
Travel to Morocco, Zimbabwe – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 48 hours before departure.
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for Australasia:
Travel to Australia, New Zealand – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure.
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for Europe:
Travel to Austria – COVID‑19 testing requirements
Time of sampling must not be more than 72 hours before arrival for PCR, LAMP or TMA testing, not more than 48 hours for antigen tests and not more than 24 hours for self‑antigen testing (must be recorded in an official data processing system).
Travel to Belgium – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure. These tests are not accepted: RT‑LAMP; Rapid antigenic tests and Serological tests.
Travel to Germany – COVID‑19 testing requirements
- Nucleic acid amplification techniques (PCR, LAMP1, TMA2) to detect the SARS‑CoV‑2 coronavirus is currently accepted. The sample collection for the test must not be more than 72 hours before entry into Germany.
- Antigen tests for the direct detection of the SARS‑CoV‑2 coronavirus are also accepted provided they fulfil the minimum quality criteria recommended by WHO. The sample collection for the test should not be more than 48 hours before entering Germany.
Travel to Ireland, Malta, Russia, Cyprus – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure.
Travel to Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, France, Denmark -COVID‑19 testing requirements
Passengers must take a COVID‑19 test: 72 hours before arrival for PCR tests and 48 hours before arrival for antigen tests from the time of sample collections.
Travel to Sweden – COVID‑19 testing requirements
A negative COVID‑19 certificate for a test conducted not more than 48 hours before arrival. This is done with a negative PCR, LAMP or antigen test.
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for the Far East:
Travel to Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure.
Travel to South Korea – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing at least 72 hours before departure. COVID‑19 PCR tests based on nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) method and tests done only by polymerase chain reaction method (PCR, TMA, SDA, LAMP, and NEAR) are accepted for travel. Antigen or antibody detection tests (RAT and ELISA) are not accepted. Regardless of the test method, self‑sampling (at‑home tests) are not accepted.
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for Gulf and the Middle East:
Travel to Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait Oman, Saudi Arabia – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure.
Travel to Iran, Lebanon – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 96 hours before departure.
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for Indian Ocean Islands:
Travel to Maldives – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 96 hours before departure.
Travel to Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure.
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for North America:
Travel to Canada – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure.
Travel to Mexico – COVID‑19 testing requirements
There are no COVID‑19 test requirements for entry to Mexico.
Travel to USA (all cities including travel to JFK, BOS, LAX, MIA, IAD, IAH, ORD, SEA, DFW, SFO, MCO, EWR) – COVID‑19 testing requirements
PCR test or a viral antigen test is required within 3 days of travel to the US.
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for South America:
Travel to Brazil – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing at least 72 hours before departure.
Covid-19 Travel Requirement for West Asia:
Travel to Afghanistan – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 96 hours before departure.
Travel to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan – COVID‑19 testing requirements
COVID‑19 PCR testing is required at least 72 hours before departure.
For detailed information on RT-PCR travel requirements by destination, you can visit Travel requirements by destination | COVID-19 information hub | Emirates India
You can also pre-book your RT-PCR test with us as per government guidelines of the destination country and get valid reports to travel stress-free.
