Frequently asked questions
Visas
Citizens of 33 countries, including the UK and Ireland, are granted a 30-day visa, free of charge, on arrival in Dubai. Visitors must have a full passport with at least six months’ validity from the end of their stay.
Visitors may extend this 30-day stay for a maximum of a further 30 days, after which they will be required to leave the country. If visitors do require this extension they should contact the Immigration Office of the Emirate in which you arrived, in good time before the expiry of the 30-day deadline.
Health
No vaccinations are mandatory.
Money
Dirham, divided into 100fils.
£1 = 5.3 UAE Dirhams;
1 Euro = 4.8 UAE Dirhams
(April 2009).
Time
GMT +4 hours
Getting there
Accessing Dubai from the UK just keeps getting better. There are 139 direct services a week from departure points around Britain , which fly to Dubai International Airport ( DIA) in just seven hours. Click here for full details
Insurance
Dubai’s hospitals are excellent, but treatment can be costly. Health insurance is crucial.
Language
The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken.
Electricity
220/240 volt, three-pin square plugs (the same as in the UK and Ireland).
Road travel
Recent changes to the law now allow British nationals who are in the UAE on a visit visa to drive a car using their British driving licence. A British national living in the UAE with a residence permit must obtain a UAE driving licence. UAE licences can be obtained from the traffic department by expatriates with valid residency visas.
Safety and Security
Dubai is a very safe city for visitors and residents alike, and and virtually crime free.
Year-round sunshine
Dubai enjoys 365 days of warm sunshine. The climate is sub-tropical, with intermittent rain, mostly in winter. Summer temperatures peak at 50C. From September to May, days are pleasantly warm, with an average of 24C in January.
Beaches
Some of Dubai’s beaches are attached to private hotels, where, for a small fee, you can spend the day on the sand and in the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Public beaches and waterfronts – the Corniche and the Creek – are free for public access, and feature water sports.
Dress code
Visitors are free to dress according to their personal choice – but be sensible, avoiding wearing revealing clothes in public places or places of worship. Swimwear is appropriate at beaches and swimming pools.
Alcohol
Compared to some of its neighbours, Dubai takes a relaxed attitude towards alcohol, which is served in hotels, nightclubs and golf clubs. It does, though, operate a zero tolerance policy to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Children
Many hotels operate clubs and programmes for children. Several shopping malls have entertainment centres for kids, while attractions like Wild Wadi water park are geared for all ages.
Hand luggage
Passengers using Dubai International Airport can only carry small volumes of liquids/gels in their hand luggage. Containers of 100ml max must be held in a clear plastic bag no bigger than 20cm x 20cm. www.dubaiairport.com.
Neighbouring cities
Tours are available to other emirates and feature the historic sights of Sharjah and Ajman, the Hajar Mountains near Ras Al Khaimah and the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.
Population
Dubai is home to some 1.4 million residents, 80% of them expats.
UK & Ireland Tourist Office
Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing
Suites 201-206, 1 Northumberland Avenue
Trafalgar Square, London
WC2N 5BW
Tel. +44 (0)20 7321 6110
Fax: +44 (0)20 7321 6111
E-mail: dtcm_uk@dubaitourism.ae
Website: www.dubaitourism.ae
