Do you need a visa for Dubai? Dubai visa from UK info

When traveling to the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, visitors are treated to some of the world’s most futuristic skylines, bustling souks, and luxurious stores. This modernity intertwines with traditional Arab culture, exemplified by landmarks such as the Bastakiya Quarter (Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood) and the Jumeirah Mosque.

Are you a UK citizen planning a trip to Dubai? Then it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the requirements for obtaining a Dubai visa from UK. Let's explore the necessary steps, procedures, and tips for obtaining a visa for Dubai from UK and ensuring a smooth journey to one of the world’s most captivating destinations.

Do I need a visa for Dubai from UK?

The short answer is yes, you will need a Dubai visa from UK. Although it is typically said “Dubai visa”, it doesn’t exist per se. To travel to Dubai as a UK citizen, you will need to get a United Arab Emirates visa. You might think that getting a visa is a difficult ordeal, but no. You can apply and get the visa for Dubai completely online. 

You can choose to process online these visas: 

• The tourist single-entry visa: it allows you to be in the country for 30 days. 
• The transit visa: it allows you to stopover in Dubai, when your final destination is another country. You can choose from the transit visa for 2 days or the transit visa for 4 days.

Remember these visas are for tourism purposes only. If you want to work, study or visit Dubai for other reasons, you must have the correct visa with you. Additionally, you should never overstay in the country if your visa is no longer valid. In these scenarios you can be fined, prosecuted and deported from the UAE. If you need to extend your stay in Dubai, you can do so by contacting the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

Dubai visa requirements for British citizens 

Here is a list of documents and requirements for British citizens that need to be fulfilled in order to get the Dubai visa: 

• A valid passport with an expiry date of at least 6 months after the date you arrive in the UAE. If you have a residence permit, the  expiry date must be at least 3 months after the date you arrive in the UAE.
• Online application form completed with truthful information. 
• Passport-sized photo of the applicant with white background.
• Bank card to pay for the visa fee.
• Valid email to receive the electronic Dubai visa. 

If you apply for the transit visa, you will also need to present your plane ticket departing from Dubai to the final destination.

If a minor wants to get a Dubai visa, they must fulfill these requirements: 

• Have a photograph of the parents or legal guardians
• Have a copy of the visa of at least one parent/legal guardian
• Travel with their parents or legal guardian
• Only machine readable passports will be accepted.

A part from these visa requirements for the visa for Dubai from UK, you must know that there are some entry requirements for Dubai:

• You must have a valid passport and Dubai visa
• You musnt’ carry pork products or pornography into the UAE, they are both illegal.
• If you need to carry medication, you must request approval in advance. You can apply online using the electronic application form on the UAE Ministry of Health website. Applications are normally processed within 5 working days. 
• You must have medical insurance. If you get your visa with Visagov.com, it will be included when you apply for the UAE Visa online.
• Good news is that there are no longer COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements.

You can read more about the visa for the UAE with our guide “How to get visa for United Arab Emirates”.

Dubai visa cost for British citizens 

The cost of the visa for Dubai depends on the type of electronic visa for United Arab Emirates you choose: 

• The Transit visa for 2 days: no fees
• The Transit visa for 4 days: €39
• The Single-entry tourist eVisa: €134

What vaccines do I need to get a visa for Dubai from UK? 

Dubai is a relatively safe holiday destination when it comes to health security. In this sense, there are no mandatory vaccines to apply for the Dubai visa from UK.

Nevertheless, as the London Vaccination Clinic states, all travelers should be up-to-date with Routine Vaccinations including Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Additionally, most travelers will need to consider a booster of Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Other recommended vaccines, but just for some travelers, are: Hepatitis B, Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis.

Where is the British Embassy in Dubai?

Here are the details of the British Embassy in Dubai and its contact information: 

Address: Al Seef Road Bur Dubai near to Dubai Creekside, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Telephone: +971 4 309 4444 / +44 20 7008 5000

Where is the Dubai Embassy in the UK? 

Here are the details of the Dubai Embassy in the UK, which technically is the United Arab Emirates in the UK, and its contact information: 

Address; 1-2 Grosvenor Crescent, London, SW1X 7EE, United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 2075811281 /0097180024

Email: LondonEmb.Info@mofaic.gov.ae 

What is the Dubai currency and the exchange rate to GBP?

The Dubai currency is the United Arab Emirates Dirham, abbreviated as AED or DHS. You can find banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 Dirhams, while coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 fils and 1 Dirham.

The exchange rate to GBP changes everyday, but it is around 1 GBP = 4.67 AED  or 1 AED = 0.21GBP. You can check the exchange rate here.

What is the time difference between the UK and Dubai?

Dubai is 4 hours ahead of the United Kingdom. For example, if it is 4pm in the UK, it is 8pm in Dubai.