🏙️ United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 63% of US prices (World Bank, 2024). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Changes came in 2026, and the visa that applies depends on the passport. Visa-on-arrival was widened by the UAE to cover more nationalities, yet for some passports it applies only if the traveller also holds a residence permit, which must be valid, from certain countries (such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the UK, EU states or the US); a passport on its own does not suffice. A traveller who needs a visa and cannot get one on arrival should arrange it ahead of time, using a licensed agent, the airline or the official channels of ICP / GDRFA. Since the rules shift fast, check ICP's official site before booking. Usually, 6 months of passport validity is required.

Culture and laws - take note

In spite of its modern, international character, the UAE applies Islamic law and strict rules. Public places call for modest dress. Government buildings, mosques and malls require shoulders and knees to be covered, and swimwear is for beaches and pools only. Affection shown in public can lead to complaints. Only licensed venues serve alcohol, and public drunkenness is an offence. Zero tolerance applies to illegal drugs, even in trace amounts. Controls also cover some everyday medicines: codeine, certain painkillers and sleeping and ADHD medicines, so bring the prescription along and read up on the rules prior to travel. Photographing people without their permission, or government buildings, is not allowed. Take care over online posts, since offensive gestures and insults count as offences. Daylight hours in Ramadan are not for eating, drinking or smoking in public. Flying a drone requires a permit. Extreme summer heat (June-September) means outdoor activities should be planned for evenings.

Emergency

Police 999. Ambulance 998. Fire 997.

Good to know

Plugs and voltage

Abu Dhabi's tourism authority says the electricity supply there is 220/240 volts at 50 hertz, and that square three-pin sockets are standard. It advises bringing a plug adapter; hotels can often supply adapters for other plug types, and they can be bought locally.

Dirham, cards and cash machines

The dirham is the UAE currency. Canadian advice says credit cards are widely accepted at main hotels, shops and restaurants, though smaller businesses may take cash only, and that cash machines are available across the emirates. It suggests using machines in well-lit public places or inside banks and covering the keypad. Abu Dhabi's tourism authority says most machines show Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cirrus, Maestro or Plus logos.

Local laws and customs

Drugs, alcohol and public conduct

Canadian advice describes zero tolerance for drugs, even for people in transit, and says codeine and some psychiatric medications need prior permission to import. UK advice says drugs in the bloodstream count as possession. Drinking or being under the influence in public is an offence, and the driving limit is zero. Women are advised to cover shoulders and knees, kissing in public can lead to arrest, and rude gestures are criminal. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal.

Taxis and scams

Licensed taxis in the UAE

Licensed taxis or other recognised public transport are the only options UK advice recommends in the UAE, and it describes authorised Dubai taxis as cream with different coloured roofs, pink roofs for women drivers, and Abu Dhabi taxis as silver or grey. Canadian advice says street taxis are metered while private taxis have flat rates, so the fare for a private taxi should be agreed in advance; it also says to avoid sharing a taxi with strangers.

Recognised taxi apps

Careem, Uber and Abu Dhabi Taxi are the recognised options UK advice names for getting a licensed ride in the UAE, and it adds that a reputable taxi company should be used and lifts from strangers refused. Canadian advice is to ride only in officially marked taxis or with a trusted ride-sharing app.

Drink spiking and phone scams

Drinks can be spiked, after which victims are assaulted or robbed, says UK advice, so never leave a drink unattended or accept one from a stranger. Canadian advice reports calls to foreigners from scammers who claim to be local authorities or financial institutions and ask for money to clear administrative or customs problems. Such a caller should not be paid or given personal details, and card statements should be checked for unauthorized transactions.

Who can help

local government

UAE Police emergency number (999)

Helps with: The UAE government portal lists 999 for police, callable from anywhere in the country.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the UAE, including visitors, who needs police help in an emergency.

Phone: 999

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

UAE ambulance (998) and Civil Defence (997)

Helps with: The UAE government portal lists 998 for an ambulance and 997 for the fire department (Civil Defence). This listing gives the ambulance number.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the UAE, including visitors, who needs an ambulance.

Phone: 998

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Abu Dhabi Tourism Police

Helps with: The UAE government portal lists two phone lines for Abu Dhabi's tourism police, aimed at tourists who need help in Abu Dhabi. The second line is +97125127777.

Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors who need help in Abu Dhabi.

Phone: +97128002626

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Dubai Police Tourist Support

Helps with: Dubai Police have a tourist support service. The UAE government portal gives two different phone numbers for Dubai tourism police, so none is shown here; use the Dubai Police site for the current contact.

Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors who need help in Dubai.

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

embassy

Foreign embassies and consulates in the UAE (official directory)

Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or consulate. The UAE foreign ministry's directory lets you pick a country to see its missions' locations and contacts.

Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Dubai DubaiBeaches and desert safaris, the historic creek souks, the Burj Khalifa and huge shopping malls fill out this city.Photo: Phil6007, CC BY-SA 4.0 Abu Dhabi Abu DhabiSheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi stand in the UAE's capital, while Yas Island is where the theme parks are.Photo: Wadiia, CC BY-SA 4.0 Sharjah SharjahSharjah, near Dubai, is the UAE's cultural capital; traditional souks, a restored heritage area and museums of Islamic art are found there.Photo: Firoze Edassery, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al KhaimahQuiet beach resorts are what the area is known for. Jebel Jais, rising as the UAE's tallest peak, offers a long zipline and mountain roads.Photo: Artur Malinowski, CC BY 2.0 Al Ain Al AinWithin Abu Dhabi emirate lies the green oasis city of Al Ain, with old forts, Jebel Hafeet mountain and UNESCO-listed date palm oases.Photo: Shahinmusthafa Shahin Olakara, CC BY-SA 3.0 Fujairah FujairahThe east coast, beside the Gulf of Oman, is where Fujairah offers diving and snorkelling, the old Al Bidya Mosque and rugged mountains.Photo: Ulises Icardi, CC BY-SA 4.0

City selection based on: Euromonitor Top 100 City Destinations 2025, emirate tourism boards, UNESCO list

Festivals and events

sport

Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)

around Nov-Dec 2026 · Abu Dhabi

Yas Island hosts the final race of the F1 season. With hotels filling up and prices rising, early planning is advisable.

Official site

festival

Dubai Shopping Festival

around Dec 2026 - Jan 2027 · Dubai

Hotels become full and prices rise for this event, one of the country's largest in a year, so plan early.

festival

New Year's Eve at Burj Khalifa

31 Dec 2026 - 1 Jan 2027 · Dubai

These fireworks are famous worldwide, and hotels in the downtown area sell out.

trade

Gulfood

around Jan-Feb 2027 · Dubai

A very large trade fair covering food and drink.

sport

Dubai World Cup (horse race)

around Mar-Apr 2027 · Dubai

Meydan hosts a horse race that ranks among the richest anywhere.

trade

Arabian Travel Market

around Apr-May 2027 · Dubai

In the Middle East's travel industry, this is the leading trade fair.

trade

GITEX Global

around Oct 2027 · Dubai

Dubai World Trade Centre hosts a technology show that ranks among the largest in the world.

sport

Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina)

around Nov-Dec 2027 · Abu Dhabi

Yas Island hosts the final race of the F1 season. With hotels filling up and prices rising, early planning is advisable.

Official site

festival

Dubai Shopping Festival

around Dec 2027 - Jan 2028 · Dubai

Hotels become full and prices rise for this event, one of the country's largest in a year, so plan early.

festival

New Year's Eve at Burj Khalifa

31 Dec 2027 - 1 Jan 2028 · Dubai

These fireworks are famous worldwide, and hotels in the downtown area sell out.

trade

Gulfood

around Jan-Feb 2028 · Dubai

A very large trade fair covering food and drink.