Guidance

Living in the United Arab Emirates

Information about moving to, living or retiring in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
22 March 2013
Last updated
28 October 2025 — See all updates

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: 

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 in the UAE, including:  

  • lawyers 

  • translators 

  • notaries  

  • funeral directors  

Help from the UK government  

Read the travel advice for the UAE 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.  

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.  

Visas, residency and citizenship 

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for the UAE before you travel.  

Visas and residence permits  

Check which visa or residence permit 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.   

For more information:  

Registering as a resident 

All residents in the UAE must have an Emirates ID card. You should receive this along with your residence visa.  

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

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.   

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

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:  

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:  

Passports  

Read our guidance on 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. 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:  

Working in the UAE 

Read our guidance on 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 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. 

Recognition of qualifications 

If you want to work in the UAE, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised. You can check with the  British Council in the UAE  if your UK qualifications are recognised. 

Driving in the UAE 

Read our guidance on 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. This covers driving in the UAE, including driving licence rules. 

The UAE government provides information on transportation in the UAE, including:  

Disabled drivers 

You may be able to apply for a UAE disabled parking card. For more information, read guidance on accessible transport and parking in the UAE. 

If you have a UK Blue Badge 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. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.    

The UK has a double taxation agreement with the UAE 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 for any questions about corporation tax.  

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in the UAE. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in the UAE.  

Pensions 

Claiming your UK pension 

Read our guidance on 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 if you have worked in the UAE.  

Benefits  

Claiming UK benefits  

Read our guidance on 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. This covers buying and renting property abroad.    

You can also read guidance on:  

Contact an English-speaking lawyer in the UAE if you’re considering buying property or land. 

Voting in the UAE 

Read our guidance on 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 before you travel.  

For more information:  

Children 

Read our guidance on 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.   

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:  

Childcare  

Read the UAE government’s guidance on 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.  

Read our guidance on 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. 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: 

Marriages  

Read our guidance on 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 for the UAE.  

Divorce  

Read our guidance on 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.  

Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in the UAE.  

Documents for British people in the UAE  

Read our guidance on 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. 

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. 

Returning to the UK  

Read returning to the UK permanently. 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.

Updates to this page

Published 22 March 2013
Last updated 28 October 2025 show all updates

  1. Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

  2. Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.

  3. Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.

  4. Changes is obtaining a work permit in the UAE for a new arrival.

  5. Update charities

  6. Update local websites

  7. Important changes based on rules of the UAE for foreign nationals in child custody and divorce cases.

  8. More information added to Living in the UAE - Drug section

  9. Small changes to 'In Summary' as per Consular.

  10. Spacing

  11. Update Dos and Dont's

  12. Adjustment to the page: Sponsorship of families removed and will be added to a new document

  13. amendments to text in sponsoring of family members, as per UAE consular team added Do's and Don'ts document

  14. First published.

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