Coronavirus (COVID-19): Temporary restrictions for travel to the UAE

From the 19th March the following travel restriction will apply:

•  All visitor/tourist visas issued on arrival are suspended until further notice. This includes British passport holders.

• All visas issued prior to 19th March have been suspended until further notice. Please contact your sponsor or visa agent for the latest updates

• Those who hold a UAE residency are suspended from entering the UAE for 2 weeks beginning the 19th March. The UAE is considering some exceptional cases for exemption to this ban. To be considered for this please contact the emergency call center for UAE residents stranded abroad 00971 92083344 or Report your case online via the "Tawajudi" service for UAE residents abroad:  https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/Services/Twajudi-Resident

For the latest updates:

•  Continue to monitor this page or send us an email: londonemb.visa@mofaic.gov.ae. Please note that we will not be able to answer all phone calls
•  Visit the Ministry of Foreigners affairs website for the latest news and advice: https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en
•  Call the UAE Immigration call center number 00971 4313 9999

Exemption procedures:

You can report your specific case for exemption consideration by one of the following:

•  Call the UAE MOFAIC call center number 00971 92083344
•  Report your case online via the "Tawajudi" service for UAE residents abroad:  https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/en/Services/Twajudi-Resident

 Please note that the embassy has no authority in issuing exemptions.

Last update, 23 March 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information on UAE Response

In response to the global outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), UAE public health authorities are taking action to protect the safety and well-being of citizens, residents, and visitors.    

General Information

Visit the Emirates News Agency's (WAM's) Coronavirus update page(link is external) for the latest information. 

UAE public health authorities also have additional information on their websites:

·       Abu Dhabi Department of Health updates on COVID-19 (link is external)

·       Dubai Health Authority updates on COVID-19 (link is external)

·       UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (link is external)

Travelers to the UAE

Travelers planning to visit the UAE from the UK and other countries are encouraged to consult their home government's guidance on international air travel.  

UAE airlines' websites have constant updates on flight schedules as well as information on what to expect upon arriving in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

·       Emirates Airline Travel Updates (link is external)

·       Etihad Airways Travel Updates (link is external)

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (link is external) is also providing updates on air travel to and from the UAE.

As a precaution, many events in the UAE have been postponed or cancelled. If you have plans to attend an event or conference in the UAE, please contact the event's organizers for guidance.

UAE Nationals in the United Kingdom

For UAE nationals currently residing in or visiting the United Kingdom, the UAE Embassy and Consulates are available to assist.

For all inquiries, please contact the Embassy on: 00442075811281 (during working hours), and 009718004444 (after the working hours).

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 The UAE embassy in London does not issue nor process visitor / tourist visas. If you are not eligible for a visa on arrival, please contact a visa agent to arrange your visa. You can either look for an agent yourself online, or you can contact your airline or your hotel and they may recommend one for you. The embassy does not recommend visa agents.

Nationalities who do not require visa to be arranged before travel to the UAE

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals do not require a visa to enter the UAE.

Passport holders of the countries listed below will be granted a free of charge 30 day visa on arrival in the UAE. No application in advance of travel is needed. Your passport will be stamped with the Visit Visa as you pass through Immigration at any of the airports in the UAE.

Andorra
Australia
Brunei
Canada
Hong Kong
Ireland
Japan
Kazakhstan
Malaysia
Monaco
New Zealand
People's Republic of China
Russian Federation
San Marino
Singapore
South Korea
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States of America
Vatican City

• Visa Agents: Specialist visa agents are the primary providers of tourist/visitor visas. You may look for visa agents online yourself. Alternatively, you may contact your hotel or airline and they may recommend one for you. The embassy does not recommend visa agents

• Fly Emirates or Etihad Airways: Both Fly Emirates and Etihad Airways can assist their clients in applying for tourist/visitor visas. Please contact them and follow there relevant procedures. It is advisable to contact the airline before making a booking. 

• Friends/relatives residing in the UAE: Friends/relatives can apply for a visa as your sponsor through the local immigration office in the UAE.

• Holders of UK residency status

• Holders of Indian Passports

Those who hold Indian Passports with UK residency status (e.g. indefinite leave to remain, spouse visa) valid for more than 6 months are eligible for a 14 days visa costing 100AED upon arrival in the UAE. This visa can be extended for a maximum of another 14 days. You must carry your BRP card, or the passport which holds your residency sticker.

If your UK residency is in the form of a stamp, then please send us your query as well as a scan of the stamp to our email, and we will review it: Londonemb.visa@mofaic.gov.ae

Please note that this information is also available on the UAE directorate of residency and foreigners affairs website. You can contact them if you require further clarification: https://gdrfad.gov.ae/en

• Holders of Travel documents

Holders of a "Travel Document" cannot apply for visa and are not eligible for a visa on arrival.

Diplomatic and High Commission Visa Requests

• A written request (Note Verbal) from the embassy or high commission stating the applicants: details, purpose and dates of travel
• A completed and signed application form for each applicant. Please request this form via email: LondonEMB.Visa@mofaic.gov.ae
• 1 recent passport size photo.
• A Passport valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of arrival.
• The applicants contact information (mobile, e-mail address).

Processing time is 4-6 working days. No charge is applicable for visas requested by embassies and high commissions.

Entry Permits for Lost Passports

1. A completed and signed application form. Please request this form via email: LondonEMB.Visa@mofaic.gov.ae

2. A copy of the old passport.

3. A copy of the new passport. Important: The new passport must be a full passport valid for at least 5 years. Emergency passports are not accepted.

4. A copy of UAE resident permit.

5. A copy of UAE ID card.

6. 1 passport sized photo.

7. An application fee.

8.  A headed letter from your sponsor confirming your position and place of work

9. Lost/stolen report: The report can be obtained from the following website:  (https://www.reportmyloss.com//). Fill in the form and ensure you include the lost passport number. Once you  are issued with the report, follow these steps:

• - Print the report
• - Have the report notarized by a Notary Public
• - Have the report attested by the British Foreign Commonwealth office (FCO). For further details on how to do this please visit the FCO website: https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised
•  - Translate the report into Arabic (does not have to be an official translation).

Please ensure you have all the above documents. The documents must be delivered to the consulate in person between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Processing time is 6-7 working days.

 Contact Information

 It may be more convenient for you to send us your query via our regularly monitored email listed below.