Guidance

Consular newsletter: Checking in Campaign

Updated 6 November 2018

Welcome back

Welcome back if you have been lucky enough to escape the warm summer months and a warm hello if you are new to the UAE. See our Checking In campaign - although you may already have processed all these documents it is always worth a double check. Alternatively if you know of someone arriving in the UAE for the first time then please forward this newsletter so they can access this important information.

Residency Visa

Your employer is responsible for obtaining a UAE residency visa for you and your family. Please be aware this may take some time and you will need to surrender your passport temporarily.

Health insurance

All medical services must be paid for in the UAE so do make sure you have adequate medical insurance in place from when you arrive in the UAE (if this is not provided from your employer at the outset you should consider travel insurance from the UK until your employer’s health insurance commences). Also make sure any visitors know that they need travel insurance.

Emirates Identity Card

It is mandatory for all citizens and expatriate residents of the UAE to have an Emirates ID card. Please Click here for information on how to get one.

UAE Driving Licence

Driving in the UAE on a UK driving licence is only allowed if you are a non-resident of the UAE. Therefore once you receive your residence visa you must obtain a UAE driving licence. British nationals with a UK driving licence can apply for an automatic driving licence transfer in the UAE. For more information, Click here.

Legalisation of your Documents

Please note we do not provide any legalisation services at the British Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Further information can be found on our Legalisation pages.

Salik Tag

If you are driving around Dubai you will need to purchase a Salik Tag, Dubai’s road toll collection system.

Educational certificate (UK)

To have your UK educational certificates legalised, follow the guidance on the British Council Website.

Alcohol Licence

You need an alcohol licence if you wish to consume or purchase alcoholic beverages. You can apply for this once you have your residence visa. For Abu Dhabi apply online at Special Licence Office website and for Dubai apply on-line or at a local MMI or African & Eastern store. For other Emirates, contact the local authorities for more information.

Shipping

Importing goods such as pork products and pornography into the UAE is illegal. Videos, books, and magazines may be subject to scrutiny and may be censored. Weapons, ammunition, body protection and related equipment (like cleaning kits, gun belts, etc), however small the quantity and whatever the purpose, all require permission before entering or transiting the UAE.

Prescribed medicine

Some prescribed and over the counter medicines that are available in the UK are considered controlled substances in the UAE and can’t be brought into the country without prior permission from the UAE Ministry of Health. If you arrive in the UAE without this permission and the required documentation, the medication will not be allowed into the UAE and you may be prosecuted under UAE law. For further information and specific queries, contact the UAE Embassy in London to check whether your medication is on the controlled list. You can find a list of registered and controlled medicines and details on import regulations on the UAE interact website.

Travel advice

For information on staying safe and avoiding problems when living in the UAE and travelling abroad, please see the Travel Advice for the UAE.

Remember to sign up on line to our travel alerts.

Emergency Contact Numbers Police – 999 Ambulance - 998 and Fire - 997