British Embassy Abu Dhabi
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-26)

The British Embassy Abu Dhabi maintains and develops relations between the UK and the United Arab Emirates.

We work closely with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in many areas of political and practical co-operation. In September 2021 the UK and the UAE launched a new ambitious Partnership for the Future framework that will strengthen the deep and historic relationship. The Partnership will ensure both countries work closely together on shared global challenges, promote prosperity and security in the region, and expand the exchange of knowledge, skills and ideas.

Find out more about our work on the UK and the UAE news page (https://www.gov.uk/world/united-arab-emirates/news).

Getting help in the UAE

If you need urgent medical help or are a victim of crime, call the local emergency services on 112. Contact your insurance provider if you have one. They will tell you what your policy covers, and what you need to do to make a claim.

In many situations, you will be able to help yourself without needing to contact the British Embassy. Check our guidance on:
- finding English-speaking lawyers (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?serviceType=lawyers&country=united_arab_emirates&utm_source=CYB_Gov.uk+&utm_medium=Embassy&utm_campaign=UAE), funeral directors (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?country=united_Arab_emirates&serviceType=funeral-directors&utm_source=CYB_Gov.uk+&utm_medium=Embassy&utm_campaign=UAE) and translators and interpreters (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?country=united_arab_emirates&serviceType=translatorsInterpreters&utm_source=CYB_Gov.uk+&utm_medium=Embassy&utm_campaign=UAE) in the UAE
- dealing with a death in the UAE (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-guidance-united-arab-emirates?&utm_source=CYB_Gov.uk+&utm_medium=Embassy&utm_campaign=UAE)
- being arrested in the UAE (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-arab-emirates-prisoner-pack?&utm_source=CYB_Gov.uk+&utm_medium=Embassy&utm_campaign=UAE)
- getting help if you’re a victim of crime (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/victim-of-crime-abroad?&utm_source=CYB_Gov.uk+&utm_medium=Embassy&utm_campaign=UAE)
- what to do if you’re in hospital (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/in-hospital-abroad?&utm_source=CYB_Gov.uk+&utm_medium=Embassy&utm_campaign=UAE)
- travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates) for the UAE
Getting help

If you cannot get the support you need from local services, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can help British people abroad.

We prioritise emergencies and people who are vulnerable, for example, if someone’s:
- ill, injured, or involved in a crime
- with a British person who’s died
Get help from FCDO (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/posts/united-arab-emirates/british-embassy-abu-dhabi)

If you cannot use your passport

You can apply for an emergency travel document (https://www.gov.uk/emergency-travel-document) if you need to travel urgently and cannot use your passport because it is lost, stolen or damaged.

If you are travelling in more than 3 weeks, check if you can get a new or replacement passport (https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport) in time to travel.

If you do not need to travel urgently, you should still report a lost or stolen passport (https://www.gov.uk/report-a-lost-or-stolen-passport).

Getting a visa to the UK

The British Embassy does not provide visas and cannot advise on UK visas. If you have any questions about the application process or your visa status, contact UK Visas and Immigration (https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk).

A Schengen visa or residence permit does not entitle you to travel to the UK without a visa. You can check whether you need a visa and apply for one (https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa).

Official documents and notarial services

See the full list of notarial and documentary services for British people abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/documents-for-british-people-abroad).

See the full list of fees charged for consular services (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/consular-services-fees).

Support for British nationals living in the UAE

Read our guidance for living in the UAE (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-united-arab-emirates) for information on travelling to, living, working and studying there.

You can find a full list of UK help and services (https://www.gov.uk/world/united-arab-emirates) available in the UAE.

Other UK embassies and consulates in the UAE

You can also find a British embassy in Dubai (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-dubai).