UAE to UK Travel Restrictions: Latest Rules and Regulations You Need to Know

This article is reviewed regularly (on a monthly basis) by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate. 

Updated February 2023

The United Kingdom remains among the favourite destinations for world travellers, either for tourism or business. Emiratis love to visit the island nation of the United Kingdom, famous for its dreamy beaches, heavenly chapels and vast green countryside. 

Here, we break down the rules you’ll have to adhere to while flying from the UAE to the UK. 

*All prices and schedules are for flights in June 2023; they are accurate at the time of writing. 

Flights from Dubai to the UK

Emirates

Flight duration

Emirates offers direct flights to 5 destinations in the UK, from Dubai. The time duration for direct flights is about 8 hours. 

Flight schedule and ticket prices

• Dubai to Birmingham: two weekly direct flights. Ticket prices start at AED 2,110.
• Dubai to Glasgow: one direct flight available 7 days a week. Ticket prices start at AED 2,220.
• Dubai to London Gatwick: three direct flights, available 7 days a week. Ticket prices start at AED 1,726. 
• Dubai to London Heathrow: six direct flights, available 7 days a week. Ticket prices start at AED 1,722.
• Dubai to Manchester: three direct flights, available 7 days a week. Ticket prices start at AED 2,135. 

Please visit Wego for Emirates full schedule.

Book cheap flights from Dubai to the UK here

 

Flight from Abu Dhabi to the UK

Etihad

Flight duration

Etihad has several flights from Abu Dhabi to the UK. However, many of them are connecting flights operated by other airlines, but mind the tediously long layovers. Direct flights take upto 7 hours 40 minutes, whereas connecting flights may even take more than a day.

Flight schedule and ticket prices

• Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow: Upto 4 direct flights and multiple connecting flights available 7 days a week. Ticket prices starting at AED 1,695.
  
• Abu Dhabi to Glasgow: Only multiple connecting flights, available 7 days a week. Ticket prices starting at AED 2,313.
  
• Abu Dhabi to Birmingham: Only multiple connecting flights, available 7 days a week. Ticket prices starting at AED 2,362.
• Abu Dhabi to Manchester: At least one direct flight and multiple connecting flights, available 7 days a week. Ticket prices start at AED 2,346.

Please visit Wego for Etihad Airways full schedule.

Book cheap flights from Abu Dhabi to the UK here

 

Travelling from the UAE to the UK

All travellers bound for the UK will be able to do away with the pre and post-arrival COVID testing, quarantine and face mask regulations.

Can I travel to the UK?

Yes, you can. There are currently no red list restrictions in place for travel to England. Any UAE traveller with a UK tourist visa or other kinds of travel purposes can visit the UK.

Required documents

• have your identity document ready – remove it from a holder or wallet if you use one
• remove your face covering or sunglasses, if you’re wearing them
• move through passport control together if you’re in a family

Visa requirement

Since the UAE does not fall under countries eligible for visa-free services upon arrival in the UK, travellers from the UAE to UK must have a valid visa document for entry to the UK. The type of visa you need will vary according to the purpose of your entry.

Click here to check the documents and visa you would need to visit the UK, depending upon your purpose of entry.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme:

The UK government has recently introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which will be rolled out for all GCC nations, including the UAE, from January 2023. Under this scheme, UAE citizens will no longer require a visa to travel to the UK from 2023; instead, they can apply for an ETA online before their scheduled travel date.

The ETA scheme has been launched for all eligible countries to facilitate smooth and easy travel access to the United Kingdom. Before the introduction of ETAs in 2023, travellers from UAE may continue to use the Electronic Visa Waivers (EVW), which can be completed online before their departure to the UK.

Testing and quarantine requirements

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers are exempt from all testing and quarantine measures. When you travel to England, you:

• do not need to complete a UK passenger locator form before you travel
• do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
• do not need to quarantine when you arrive