Is it safe to move to the UAE right now?

Only you can decide. This guide sets out what the UK Foreign Office says about the UAE today, and how to keep up to date.

What the FCDO says today

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) publishes travel advice for the UAE. The page was last updated on 24 July 2026 and showed as “still current at 3 October 2026”. It does not advise against all travel, or all but essential travel, to the UAE. It also says “no travel can be guaranteed safe”.

The FCDO describes the regional situation like this:

• The US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding on 17 June in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, but “the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable”.
• Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region against US military and civilian infrastructure.
• There is “a risk of more attacks and unforeseen escalation in the region”.
• British nationals in the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and travel disruption.

The FCDO also says there is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, and that attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.

What the FCDO asks people in the region to do

• Follow advice from the local authorities.
• Monitor local and international media, including updates on airports and airspace, which could close at short notice.
• Stay away from areas around security or military facilities.
• Keep departure plans under review and travel documents up to date.
• If advised to take shelter, stay indoors or go to the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with few external walls or windows may give extra protection.
• Do not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects.

How to stay informed

• FCDO email alerts. Sign up on GOV.UK to get an email whenever the UAE travel advice changes.
• UAE early warning alerts. The UAE’s National Early Warning System sends alerts to mobile phones through the mobile operators. Authorised senders include the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), the Ministry of Interior and the police of each emirate. NCEMA asks the public to follow the instructions in these alerts.
• Government announcements. The Government of Dubai Media Office publishes official Dubai government news.
• Your airline. For flight disruption, check directly with your airline. The FCDO notes that airspace can close at short notice.

Contacting the British Embassy

The UK has a British Embassy in Abu Dhabi (Al Hisn Street, Al Markaziyah West) and a British Embassy in Dubai (Al Seef Road, Bur Dubai). Both use an online FCDO contact form, which is also the route to call them in an emergency. Visits are by appointment only.

If you are in the UK and worried about someone in the UAE, the FCDO number is 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). From abroad, the FCDO gives it as +44 (0)207 008 5000. The FCDO’s UAE advice does not mention a scheme for registering your presence. Instead, it asks British nationals to sign up for its email alerts.

Everyday safety and the law

The FCDO’s advice on crime is to take sensible precautions with yourself and your belongings. It flags drink and food spiking and property scams. The bigger day-to-day risk for many newcomers is the law: rules on drugs, alcohol and behaviour in public are much stricter than in the UK. Read the rules that catch Brits out before you go.

Practical preparation

• Insurance. GOV.UK says insurance may be invalidated if you travel where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel or all travel. It says to read the small print, get to know any exclusion clauses, and check the policy wording and the country travel advice before booking and buying insurance.
• Documents. Keep passports and visas for everyone in your household up to date and safe. Keep emergency numbers saved on your phone and written down. See also our Help now page.
• A personal plan. The FCDO says to have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government, and to be ready to leave quickly, including a grab bag. It suggests supplies such as medication, a torch, batteries and several days’ food and water.
• Your employer. If you are moving for work, the FCDO suggests you get to know your employer’s evacuation and contingency plans and make sure it has your next of kin’s details. What these plans cover varies, so ask.

Before you decide