Hello. We are US passport holders. We have one-way award tickets on QR from the USA via DOH to CAI.

Our return tickets are EK CAI-DXB-IAD with a stopover in DXB for 5 days. They are in first. I know that I have to get us tested (PCR) in CAI prior to boarding the flight to DXB less than 72 hours prior to departure.

The EK website says passengers from CAI have to take another test on arrival. You then have to stay in the hotel until you get the results. The other requirement is downloading the DXB Covid 19 Smart App.

I know we will have to take a test within 72 hours of our return USA flight too.

What I'm really wondering is how are the tests administered at DXB?
Do they segregate all the local DXB customers into one area from the countries that require an additional test upon arrival?
Is there any priority line for first or business? How are the lines? We arrive at 12:25 AM. Would hiring one of the arrival services such as Maharaba help expedite the process?
How long do they results take? What kind of test? PCD, rapid or DPI?

Thanks!

When you arrive in the Dubai, there will be somebody directing you the PCR testing station. It's on the same level as arrivals.

As you're arriving in F, you may get a special fast-tracking. This was introduced last year.

When I did it back in December, we were one of the first flights to land in the evening bank, so there was only a small queue for tests. The whole thing only took 10 minutes. Other people have reported it can take 90 minutes at busier times - but arriving in F should negate any queues.

My results took around 24 hours to show on the App. Others have reported much reduced times - 4 to 6 hours seems normal.

My own recent experience, arriving at 00:35am in business, when getting off the plane was directed to the PCR testing area, wait time was approx 15 mins, just a quick doc check and contact details taken. Results were available on the app about 6 hours later, and get a text around same time. I got to my hotel in the Marina around 1:45am, slept for a few hours and woke up to the results, so the need to wait in the hotel for results was irrelevant. I dont think Marhaba services would have made this any faster, but then i am very familiary with DXB and the airport set up there, so perhaps you would feel happier with assistance, as it is cheap anyway

With regards testing in Dubai before your return to USA, there are plentiful places around dubai for cheap testing and should cost no more than 150dhs, but i would highly recommend using Al Tadawai home visit for 240dhs per person. The service is so quick and convenient as they will come to your hotel at a time that suits you

Thanks for the great advice. We are arriving in F. Do you think an additional purchase of Marhaba meet and greet could further expedite things along?
We will have a kid and it will be very late so I want to do everything I can do (within reason) to expedite the process.

you will get meet and greet in F anyway

Do you really get meet and greet in F?
I've travelled on award and revenue flights that both terminate and transit DXB. I don't recall and MAAS (meet and assist).
While the service has been lovely, I've never been greeted upon arrival and escorted to the lounge when in transit or to customs/immigration. The most I've gotten is fast track access.
Is this a new feature when terminating in DXB when one has to go through testing?

Yes. Things change 🙂

You are supposed to download the DXB app but if you enter a foreign number you may not get an alert once your results are ready. If you do get an alert it may be delayed.

Pure Health conduct the tests at DXB. Download the purehealth.ae app as well. It updates as soon as your results are ready bit you need to login to check. In my experience it updates much quicker as it gave me the all clear after circa 12 hours each time whilst the DXB app had still not updated.

My last trip to DXB was in late Feb so the DXB app may have improved since.

I was told that you don't get meet and greet in F.
You have to pay for Mahraba. I'm just trying to figure if that's worth it to expedite things.

Fair enough. It's your money you're wasting.

you do get met and taken to the front of the immigration queue

not sure whether you want to believe your source or people who have flown into DXB in F in recent times?

I'll believe you all. I had my travel agent email Emirates USA Sales Support but I suspect they are sitting in some office somewhere and really you guys have a better idea.
However, just keep in mind it is an award ticket in F issued by Alaska.

you should still get the meet and greet - just not the lounge or chauffeur

Deleted. Snarky comment that�s perhaps unfair. .