Quick Summary: Dubai Visa for UK Citizens
No — Free visa on arrival
Free (AED 0)
30 days (extendable to 90)
No application needed — stamped on arrival
Minimum 6 months from entry date
No — tourism and transit only
UK Citizens and the Dubai Visa: The Short Answer
British passport holders are among the most welcomed nationalities in the UAE. As of 2026, UK citizens receive a free visa on arrival at any UAE port of entry — including Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and all land and sea borders. There is no pre-registration, no online application form, and no fee to pay.
When you arrive at passport control in Dubai, the immigration officer stamps your passport for 30 days. That is your initial permitted stay. If you need longer, you can extend twice via a simple online process, reaching a maximum of 90 consecutive days. After 90 days, you must exit the UAE before you can re-enter on a fresh visa on arrival.
What Happens When You Arrive in Dubai
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Queue at UAE Immigration Follow signs for "All Passports" or "Visitors" at Dubai International Airport. Terminal 3 (Emirates) and Terminal 1 (other carriers) both have automated e-gates — UK citizens can use the e-gates if their passport has a biometric chip.
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Present your British passport Hand over your passport. The officer will scan it. In most cases, no questions are asked.
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Biometric scan First-time visitors will have fingerprints and iris scans taken. This takes under two minutes. Return visitors registered in the UAE biometric system pass through more quickly.
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Passport stamped — 30 days Your passport receives an entry stamp authorising a 30-day stay. This is your visa. There is no separate document.
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Collect luggage and proceed You are now legally in the UAE. Your 30-day clock begins from the date on the entry stamp — not from the time of day you arrived.
Extending Your Stay: From 30 to 90 Days
If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, the UAE allows UK citizens to extend the visa on arrival up to two times, each extension granting an additional 30 days. The maximum total stay without leaving the UAE is 90 days.
| Stage | Duration | Cost | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial visa on arrival | 30 days | Free (AED 0) | Automatic at immigration |
| First extension | +30 days (day 31–60) | AED 600 | ICP UAE app or gdrfad.gov.ae |
| Second extension | +30 days (day 61–90) | AED 600 | ICP UAE app or gdrfad.gov.ae |
Apply for extensions before your current permitted period expires. Overstaying, even by one day, incurs a fine of AED 100 per day. Extensions can be processed entirely online — no office visit is required.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
- British passport valid for at least 6 months from your intended entry date into the UAE
- At least one blank page in your passport for the entry stamp
- A return or onward ticket (not legally mandatory but strongly recommended for immigration interviews)
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, Airbnb confirmation, or contact details of your UAE host)
- Sufficient funds for your stay — there is no published minimum, but AED 3,000 (approximately GBP 650) per month of intended stay is the practical standard
Working in Dubai as a UK Citizen
The visa on arrival is for tourism and transit only. You cannot legally work in Dubai — whether paid employment, freelancing, or remote work for a UK employer — while present on a visa on arrival.
To work in Dubai legally, you need a UAE employment visa, which must be sponsored by a UAE-registered employer. The employer initiates the visa process through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). This is an entirely separate category from tourist entry.
Remote workers who wish to work from Dubai for an extended period should investigate the UAE Remote Work Visa (Digital Nomad Visa), which is specifically designed for professionals working for non-UAE companies.
Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost (AED) | Cost (GBP approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial 30-day visa on arrival | 0 | Free |
| 30-day extension (first) | 600 | ~GBP 130 |
| 30-day extension (second) | 600 | ~GBP 130 |
| Overstay fine (per day) | 100 | ~GBP 22 |
Emergency Contacts for UK Citizens in Dubai
If you lose your passport, are the victim of a crime, are detained, or face a medical emergency, the British Embassy and Consulate in the UAE can provide consular assistance.
| Contact | Details |
|---|---|
| British Embassy Dubai | +971 4 309 4444 |
| British Embassy Dubai (out of hours emergencies) | +971 4 309 4444 (follow prompts) |
| FCDO Travel Advice UAE | gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates |
| UAE Tourist Police (Dubai) | 800-DUBAI (800-38224) |
| UAE Police (general) | 999 |
| Ambulance | 998 |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. UK passport holders receive a free visa on arrival in Dubai valid for 30 days. There is no pre-registration, no online application, and no fee. Immigration officers stamp your passport automatically on arrival at Dubai International Airport.
The initial visa on arrival grants 30 days. You can extend it twice via the ICP UAE app or GDRFA website, each extension costing AED 600 and adding 30 days. The maximum continuous stay is 90 days before you must exit the UAE.
No. The visa on arrival is strictly for tourism and transit. Working in Dubai requires a separate employment visa sponsored by a UAE-registered employer. Working on a tourist visa on arrival is illegal and can result in deportation and a future entry ban.
Your British passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into the UAE. Passports with less than 6 months remaining validity will be refused boarding by airlines and refused entry at immigration.
Each 30-day extension costs AED 600 (approximately GBP 130). Apply via the ICP UAE app or the GDRFA website before your current visa period expires. No office visit is needed — the process is fully online.
A return or onward ticket is not legally mandatory for UK citizens, but it is strongly recommended. Some immigration officers ask to see proof of onward travel, particularly for passengers without hotel bookings or travelling during busy periods.
No. Brexit has had no impact on the UK–UAE visa on arrival arrangement. The UAE–UK bilateral agreement predates EU membership and is based on the British passport, not EU citizenship. UK citizens continue to receive the same free visa on arrival as before Brexit.
Overstaying your permitted period in the UAE results in a fine of AED 100 per day. This applies from the day after your visa expires. Unpaid fines must be settled before you can exit the UAE. Significant overstays can result in a ban from future entry.