United Arab Emirates
Warnings and insurance
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guideguide. asYou wellmay asalso supportfind forit Britishhelpful nationals abroad which includes: to:
- see general advice
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Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2025-04-17 09:00
Updated information about length of validity for visas in UAE (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-10-26 08:21
On 26 October Israel carried out military action against Iran (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-09-29 00:31
Updated information on the Conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-05-03 13:12
Advice on what to do in the event of excessive rain and flooding (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-04-26 12:40
Removal of some language on military activity in the region (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-19 15:02
Information on explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-17 16:20
Information on travel disruption due to recent extreme weather (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-14 09:18
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-04-12 20:03
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-25 17:09
Update to Safety and Security page to reflect changed threat level in UAE.
2024-01-12 00:21
Update to Safety and Security page
2023-12-14 15:09
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-11-08 12:35
Update to include information relevant for the period of COP28 in Dubai 30 November – 12 December (‘Summary’ page).
2023-10-29 14:28
Updated assessment that the risk of terrorist attacks happening in the UAE is very likely (‘Terrorism’ page).
2023-10-25 13:46
Information on the need to get permits for media activity in the UAE and the risk if permission is not obtained (‘Local laws and customs’ page).
2023-06-22 09:43
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-03-03 15:21
Minor updates to clarify language (‘Safety and security’, ‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-01-06 12:43
Removal of information about the FIFA World Cup in Qatar (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-09 18:13
Updated information for those travelling to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar (Summary’ page).
2022-11-18 17:47
Updated information on COVID-19 measures in the UAE and Entry Requirements in to the UAE (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ page).
2022-10-20 10:15
Updated information on the Qatar World Cup 2022 transfer from UAE by road via Saudi Arabia (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-07 16:56
Updated information on the Qatar World Cup 2022 and Non-vaccinated visitors to events, tourist attractions and cultural sites in Abu Dhabi may enter with a ‘green pass’ on the AlHosn app(‘Summary’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages).
2022-09-28 15:47
Updated Information on new mask mandates due to changes introduced across UAE on 28 September (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-18 12:04
Children under 16 years of age arriving in Dubai do not need to take a COVID-19 PCR test before they travel and addition of link to IATA Travel Centre website (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-07-15 14:08
Updated information on travelling within the UAE, 2023 Ramadan dates, drugs offences in the UAE and the use of Emergency Travel Documents (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-05-27 11:18
Updated information on safety assessment and information about being pregnant and giving birth in the UAE (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and Security’, ‘Terrorism’ and ‘Local laws and customs’ pages)
2022-05-14 08:41
Following the death of the President of the United Arab Emirates, the country is observing a period of mourning until 22 June. Residents and visitors to the UAE should show respect during this time. British Embassy offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will reopen on Tuesday 17 May (‘Summary’ page)
2022-03-18 17:29
Updated information on entry requirements in relation to COVID-19 and public spaces and services (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-11 10:58
Updated information on ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Local laws and customs’ pages
2022-03-04 16:16
Updated information on ‘Safety and security’, ‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages.
2022-03-01 11:20
Updated information on entry and borders (‘Entry requirements’ pages)