Living in the United Arab Emirates
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-28)

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 government

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

Embassy of the UAE in London (https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/Missions/London/The-Embassy/Welcome-Message)

UAE government (https://u.ae/en/#/)

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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-abroad) in the UAE, including:

lawyers

translators

notaries

funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for the UAE (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates) 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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad).

Get help from the UK government abroad (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/), including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for the UAE (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/entry-requirements) before you travel.

Visas and residence permits

Check which visa or residence permit (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id) 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 UAE residence visas (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/general-provisions-for-the-residence-visa).

For more information:

read the UAE government’s frequently asked questions about UAE visas (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/faqs-about-visa-and-emirates-id)

use the Ask UAE service (https://ask.u.ae/en)

Registering as a resident

All residents in the UAE must have an Emirates ID card (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/emirates-id). You should receive this along with your residence visa.

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

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (https://icp.gov.ae/en)

relevant UAE Customer Happiness Centre (https://icp.gov.ae/en/customer-happiness-centers/)

Permanent residency

You can apply for long-term residency in the UAE if you meet the eligibility criteria. For more information, read guidance on UAE residence visas (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas).

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

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (https://icp.gov.ae/en)

Embassy of the UAE in London (https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/Missions/London/The-Embassy/Welcome-Message)

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 Emirati nationality (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/passports-and-traveling/emirati-nationality)

contact the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (https://icp.gov.ae/en)

contact the Embassy of the UAE in London (https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/Missions/London/The-Embassy/Welcome-Message)

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 Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (https://icp.gov.ae/en)

the Embassy of the UAE in London (https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/Missions/London/The-Embassy/Welcome-Message)

an English-speaking lawyer in the UAE (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers)

Passports

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to:

apply for a British passport from abroad

travel urgently without your British passport

Healthcare in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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:

contact your insurance provider

read the UAE government’s guidance on health and fitness in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/health-and-fitness)

read guidance on health in the UAE (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/health)

find English-speaking medical facilities and doctors for British nationals in the UAE (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-arab-emirates-list-of-medical-facilities/list-of-medical-facilities-in-the-uae)

Working in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 visas and residence permits (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id) 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 Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (https://www.mohre.gov.ae/en/contact-us.aspx).

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in the UAE, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/higher-education/recognition-system-for-university-certificates). You can check with the British Council in the UAE (https://www.britishcouncil.ae/en) if your UK qualifications are recognised.

Driving in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/safety-and-security). This covers driving in the UAE, including driving licence rules.

The UAE government provides information on transportation in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/transportation), including:

how to get a UAE driving licence (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/transportation/get-a-driving-licence)

how to exchange a foreign driving licence (https://moi.gov.ae/en/eservices/replacement.foreign.license.322.aspx)

road safety and traffic laws (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/justice-safety-and-the-law/road-safety)

how to register a vehicle in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/transportation/registering-vehicles)

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for a UAE disabled parking card (https://moi.gov.ae/en/eservices/people.determination.permit.273.aspx). For more information, read guidance on accessible transport and parking in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/social-affairs/people-of-determination/protection-support-and-assistance-of-people-of-determination#accessible-transport-and-parking-facilities).

If you have a UK Blue Badge (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme) 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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-arab-emirates-tax-treaties) 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 Ministry of Finance (https://mof.gov.ae/en/public-finance/tax/) for any questions about corporation tax.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/taxation). To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in the UAE (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=united%20arab%20emirates).

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 end of service benefits (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/moving-to-the-uae/expatriates-working-in-the-uae/pension-schemes-for-expatriate-workers) if you have worked in the UAE.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers buying and renting property abroad.

You can also read guidance on:

expatriates buying a property in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/moving-to-the-uae/expatriates-buying-a-property-in-the-uae)

leasing a property in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/moving-to-the-uae/leasing-a-property-in-the-uae)

Contact an English-speaking lawyer in the UAE (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=united%20arab%20emirates) if you’re considering buying property or land.

Voting in the UAE

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 visa requirements (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/residence-visa-for-studying-in-the-uae) before you travel.

For more information:

read the UAE government’s information on higher education in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/higher-education)

read guidance on travel grants for students studying abroad or on placements (England) (https://www.gov.uk/travel-grants-students-england)

contact your higher education provider in the UK or the UAE

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 school system in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/school-education-k-12).

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

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

admission to the UAE government schools (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/school-education-k-12/admission-to-uae-government-schools)

private schools in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/school-education-k-12/private-schools-in-the-uae)

stages and streams of school education (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/school-education-k-12/stages-and-streams-of-school-education)

home schooling in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/education/continuous-integrated-education/home-schooling-stream)

Childcare

Read the UAE government’s guidance on early childhood development and care (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/social-affairs/children/early-childhood-development-and-care) for information on childcare services.

Births, deaths, and marriages

Births

If your child is born in the UAE, register the birth with the UAE authorities (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/social-affairs/having-a-baby).

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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:

what to do when someone dies in the UAE (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-someone-dies-in-the-united-arab-emirates)

English-speaking funeral directors in the UAE (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors?country=united%20arab%20emirates)

reporting and registering deaths in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/social-affairs/deaths)

Marriages

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/affidavitaffirmatin-of-marital-status-forms-uae) for the UAE.

Divorce

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-living-or-retiring-abroad). This covers how to get a divorce.

The UAE government offers guidance on how to get a divorce in the UAE (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/social-affairs/divorce-in-the-uae).

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in the UAE (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=united%20arab%20emirates).

Documents for British people in the UAE

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/professional-services-if-you-are-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 (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/travelling-to-a-noneu-country).

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk). 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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-commonwealth-development-office-fcdo-consular-information-disclaimer).