Foreign travel advice

United Arab Emirates

! Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates.

Warnings and insurance

Download a more detailed map (PDF, 483 KB)

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

RegionalRegister tensionsyour presence

TheWith UScommercial andflights Iranresuming haveto announcedthe aUK memorandumfrom United ofArab understandingEmirates (UAE), we are pausing our ‘register your interest in relationflights from UAE’ scheme. If you are still in UAE and need to theget conflictback into the MiddleUK, East.please Thecheck situationavailability remainswith unpredictablethe andcommercial attacksairlines. You couldcan resumestill atregister shortyour notice.presence if you are in UAE for further updates.

Regional escalation 

ShouldRegional hostilitiesescalation resume,poses Britishsignificant nationalssecurity should:risks and has led to travel disruption.   

  • read If

    The you’reIranian affectedregime byhas apublicly crisisstated abroadits -intention GOV.UK.to target locations associated with the United States and Israel. This includes guidanceUS onor “howIsraeli-linked toorganisations, preparebusinesses, forfacilities aand crisis”institutions.

    Stay withaway suggestionsfrom onareas whataround yousecurity mightor includemilitary infacilities, yourand emergencyUS suppliesor andIsraeli-linked “whatlocations.

    Iranian tostrikes doagainst incivilian ainfrastructure crisis”

  • followacross advicethe fromregion such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports, have decreased. However, the localrisk authorities
  • signof uprenewed strikes remains, to FCDO Traveland Advicefurther emailattacks alerts
  • monitorcould occur at short notice.

    Follow the instructions of the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information

  • stayinformation. 

    Read If awayyou’re fromaffected areasby arounda securitycrisis orabroad military- facilities

  • keepGOV.UK this yourincludes departuresuggestions planson underwhat review,you andmight ensureinclude in your travelemergency documentssupplies. 

    Sign are up toto FCDO date

  • ifTravel youAdvice areemail advisedalerts.

    Shelter in place 

    If local authorities advise you to take shelter, stay indoors or findmove to the nearest safe building orimmediately. designatedThe shelter.greatest Anrisk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Choose an interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible mayfor provide additional protection.

    Limit Theyour greatestmovements riskto essential journeys only. When travel is fromunavoidable, fallingaim debristo causedmove byduring intercepts,daylight hours and avoid crowded venues. Always let friends or family know where you are safestand insidewhen ayou secureare structure

travelling, and keep your mobile phone with you and charged.

BeforeIf theyou 8are Aprilaway ceasefire,from theyour Iranianhome regimeor hadhotel, statedand itsan intentionattack tooccurs targetor locationsyou receive an alert from the official UAE warning system, seek shelter in the Gulfclosest associatedbuilding withimmediately.

Sign up to receive information and alerts. Read the USNational Emergency Crisis and Israel.Disaster ThisManagement includedAuthority’s USguidance orwhich Israeli-linkedcovers organisations,a businesses,range facilitiesof emergency situations.

Posting online 

It is illegal to post material, including videos and institutions.photographs, Iranonline hasthat previouslyis targetedcritical civilianof infrastructurethe acrossUAE government, companies or individuals, or which relates to incidents in the regionUAE. suchThis asincludes ports,material hotels,which roads,appears bridges,to energyabuse, facilities,ridicule oilor productioncriticise sites,the watercountry systems,or andits airports.authorities. Material that is culturally insensitive may also be considered illegal.

BeforeLeaving you travelUAE 

NoIf travelyour presence in UAE is not essential, you may wish to consider departing - if you judge you can beaccess guaranteedthese safe.options Readsafely. allCheck for the advicelatest inupdates thisfrom guide.your Youairline mayor alsotour findoperator, itas helpfulwell to: as the instructions from local authorities, and the status of any border crossings before you travel. If you are traveling by air do not travel to the airport unless your airline has confirmed your reservation.

If you are in the United Arab Emirates 

Due to the ongoing security situation, as a precautionary measure we have decided to temporarily withdraw the dependents of British Embassy staff from the United Arab Emirates. Our embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to operate as normal.

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

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO: