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Guidance

Living in the United Arab Emirates

Information about moving to, living or retiring in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

Getting help with living in the UAE

Help from the UAE DZԳԳ

For any questions about moving to or living in the UAE, you may be able to get help from the:

The UK government and the British Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in the UAE.

Professional help in the UAE

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in the UAE, including:

  • lawyers

  • translators

  • notaries

  • funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for the UAE to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit the UAE. This includes the latest information on:

  • visas and entry requirements

  • laws and cultural differences

  • safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for the UAE before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which you need to live in the UAE.

You can get a visa to:

  • work

  • study

  • retire

  • invest or do business

  • live with family

  • search for a job

  • get medical treatment

If you want to extend your visa, read guidance on .

For more information:

  • read the UAE DZԳԳ’s

  • use the

Registering as a resident

All residents in the UAE must have an . You should receive this along with your residence visa.

If you have any problems or questions about getting your Emirates ID, contact the:

  • relevant

Permanent residency

You can apply for long-term residency in the UAE if you meet the eligibility criteria. For more information, read guidance on .

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, contact the:

Citizenship

The UAE recognises dual citizenship in certain cases. This means that you may not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become an Emirati (UAE) citizen.

To find out if you’re eligible for Emirati citizenship:

  • read guidance on

  • contact the

  • contact the

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi cannot help with UAE visa and residency applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

  • the

  • the

  • an

Passports

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • apply for a British passport from abroad

  • travel urgently without your British passport

Dual citizens travelling to the UK

When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carrya validBritish passportorcertificate of entitlement. Read guidance ondual citizenship.

Healthcare in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • plan your healthcare

  • take medicine abroad

The UAE does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance through your employer, or from UAE or international providers.

Employers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are legally required to provide health insurance to their employees.

To find out how to get medical treatment:

Working in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in the UAE, you need a visa or residence permit. The UAE government explains the different available to you.

The retirement age for expatriates working in the UAE private sector is 60. However, you can apply for 2-year extensions to work up to the age of 65 through the .

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in the UAE, you may need to . You can check with the    if your UK qualifications are recognised.

Driving in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • drive abroad legally

  • take your UK vehicle abroad

  • get driving licence letters

Read about road travel in the UAE, in safety and security in the travel advice for the UAE. This covers driving in the UAE, including driving licence rules.

The UAE government provides information on , including:

Disabled drivers

You may be able to . For more information, read guidance on .

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in the UAE, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with the UAE so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

The UAE does not have income tax on salaries or wages. Depending on the Emirate, there may be:

  • taxes on some services and goods

  • municipal taxes

  • customs duties

Contact the  for any questions about corporation tax.

Consider getting professional advice on . To do this, .

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • how to claim your UK State Pension

  • where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Claiming a UAE pension

Only UAE citizens can claim a UAE pension. You may be eligible for if you have worked in the UAE.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

Claiming UAE benefits

Only UAE citizens are eligible to claim social welfare benefits.

Buying and renting property in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.

You can also read guidance on:

Contact an if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • vote in UK elections from abroad

  • register as an overseas voter

Studying in the UAE

If you plan to study in the UAE, you must meet all before you travel.

For more information:

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

  • getting permission to take your child abroad

  • claiming UK Child Benefit abroad

  • child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The UAE government provides information about the .

All children aged 6 to 18 must attend school or home school in the UAE.

For more information, read the UAE DZԳԳ’s guidance on:

Childcare

Read the UAE DZԳԳ’s guidance on for information on childcare services.

Births, deaths, and marriages

Births

If your child is born in the UAE, .

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

  • register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate

  • apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

  • what to do after someone dies abroad

  • how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in the UAE, read guidance on:

Marriages

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married abroad.

You can also read our guidance on affidavit or affirmation of marital status forms for the UAE.

Divorce

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce.

The UAE government offers guidance on .

Consider taking legal advice from an .

Documents for British people in the UAE

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers:

  • legalising and certifying UK documents

  • marriage and civil partnership documents

  • affirmations and affidavits

  • witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in the UAE, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to the UAE, read guidance on taking your pet dog, cat or ferret to a non-EU country.

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the UAE authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.

Updates to this page

Published 22 March 2013
Last updated 11 December 2025 show all updates
  1. Added new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports' section).

  2. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

  3. Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.

  4. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.

  5. Changes is obtaining a work permit in the UAE for a new arrival.

  6. Update charities

  7. Update local websites

  8. Important changes based on rules of the UAE for foreign nationals in child custody and divorce cases.

  9. More information added to Living in the UAE - Drug section

  10. Small changes to 'In Summary' as per Consular.

  11. Spacing

  12. Update Dos and Dont's

  13. Adjustment to the page: Sponsorship of families removed and will be added to a new document

  14. amendments to text in sponsoring of family members, as per UAE consular team added Do's and Don'ts document

  15. First published.

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