UK drops ‘do not travel’ warning for Dubai

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has lifted its advisory against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, removing the warning that had applied to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the country.

The change was published on Thursday (18 June). Under the updated guidance, the FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to the UAE, reversing the position it held during the recent escalation in the Middle East.

The FCDO attributed the revision to a shift in regional tensions. The United States and Iran have announced a memorandum of understanding in relation to the conflict in the Middle East.

The FCDO cautioned that the situation remains unpredictable and that attacks could resume at short notice.

The advisory against all but essential travel had been in place during a period of heightened conflict in the region. A ceasefire took effect on 8 April.

Before that ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations in the Gulf associated with the United States and Israel, including US or Israeli-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions.

The FCDO noted that Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure across the region, including ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems and airports.

Should hostilities resume, the FCDO advises British nationals in the UAE to follow advice from local authorities, sign up to FCDO travel advice email alerts, and monitor local and international media for the latest information.

It also advises travellers to stay away from areas around security or military facilities, keep departure plans under review, and ensure travel documents are up to date.

On sheltering, the FCDO advises that anyone told to take shelter should stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter.

It states that an interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may offer additional protection, and that the greatest risk comes from falling debris caused by intercepts, meaning travellers are safest inside a secure structure.

The FCDO continues to advise that no travel can be guaranteed safe and that travellers should read all the advice in its UAE guidance before going.

It recommends that anyone choosing to travel research their destination and obtain appropriate travel insurance covering their itinerary, planned activities and any emergency expenses.

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