Travel to Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates remains permitted under current UK government advice, even as security concerns continue to rise across the Gulf. The Foreign Office still classifies the UAE — including Dubai and Abu Dhabi — as safe to visit, having lifted its warning against all but essential travel in June. That position has not been changed in response to the latest attacks in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, where the government has moved to discourage travel to large parts of the country after a series of Houthi missile strikes.
The official advice is not without caution, however. British nationals are being told the regional situation could deteriorate at short notice, and those already in the UAE are advised to follow local instructions, keep track of official updates and register their presence if necessary. The Foreign Office also repeats its broader warning about the global threat of terrorism to UK interests and British nationals, with possible targets including hotels, beaches, restaurants and shopping centres. It separately advises against posting critical material online in relation to the UAE, noting that such material is illegal.
Air links through the Gulf have largely returned to normal, with the main carriers, Emirates and Etihad, resuming most services to and from the UK. That means holidays and transit through Dubai can still go ahead under current guidance, and travel insurance remains valid for British travellers. For those heading to the emirate, entry rules are unchanged: free tourist visas are issued on arrival to British passport holders, usually for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, provided the passport has at least six months’ validity remaining after arrival. Visitors should also remember that local laws and customs apply, including restrictions on public behaviour, clothing, alcohol and same-sex activity, even though Dubai is generally considered more liberal than other parts of the UAE.