ETA required
UAE passport holders need a UK ETA
ETA required for travel from 22 February 2024
UAE passports joined UK ETA in the February 2024 Gulf wave, after Qatar’s pilot. Emirates and Etihad from DXB/AUH will not board an Emirati citizen to the UK without an approved ETA. The official fee is £20 — Arabic-language booking sites often charge more and are not GOV.UK. An ETA covers tourism and certain business visits up to six months; it is not a skilled-worker visa and not a Golden Visa analogue. If you already hold UK settlement or a work visa, travel on that. Apply in the official app; keep the same passport at the gate.
Emirati travel facts
| Passport | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|
| Roll-out | ETA required for travel from 22 February 2024 |
| What you need | UK ETA (£20) |
| Stay | Usually up to 6 months as a visitor |
| Work | Not allowed on visit permission |
| Landside transit | ETA required if you pass UK border control |
Mistakes uae passport holders make
- Hotel ‘visa desks’ in Dubai that sell marked-up UK ETAs.
- Applying on a passport that is about to be renewed — renew first, then apply.
London notes for Emirati arrivals
DXB–LHR is often Terminal 3. After a night flight, Elizabeth line to Canary Wharf or Bond Street is simpler than changing at Paddington with luggage. Summer: ULEZ still runs 24/7 if you drive out of Heathrow toward the city.
FAQs
- When did UAE nationals start needing a UK ETA?
- For travel from 22 February 2024, per Appendix ETA National List.
- Is a UAE Golden Visa relevant?
- No. UK border cares about your UAE passport and whether you have UK permission, not a UAE residence product.
Other passports
Bodhixt is not affiliated with UKVI. Confirm on GOV.UK before you book. Apply via https://www.gov.uk/eta only.