Europe
United Kingdom visa
LondonMost UAE residents who need a UK visa apply for the Standard Visitor visa, which covers tourism, visiting family or friends and short business trips, for stays of up to six months; Emiratis and other visa-free nationals apply online for an ETA instead. You apply online to UK Visas and Immigration, then give biometrics at the visa application centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, without returning to your home country. The standard target is around three weeks from the biometrics appointment, and your passport stays with the centre meanwhile. The decision rests on your documents alone, with no interview and generally no appeal, so we build the evidence of your ties to the UAE before anything is submitted.
- Starting price
- From AED 1,460
- Typical processing
- About 3 weeks from biometrics
- Typical validity
- 6 months / 2 years / 5 years / 10 years
The price is for the simplest visa type. Embassy and visa centre fees are included.
Indicative only — actual processing time and validity are set by the issuing government and depend on your nationality, residency and travel history.
How the process works
Free eligibility check
We confirm which visa applies to your nationality and residency.
Document preparation
Your file is reviewed and corrected before anything is submitted.
Appointment & submission
We book the appointment where one is needed and guide you through biometrics.
Tracking & collection
We track the application and hand back your passport.
Documents you'll usually need
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages
- UAE residence visa copy (valid at least 3 months)
- Emirates ID copy (front and back)
- Recent passport-size photo to the required specification
- Bank statements for the last 3-6 months
- Employment contract or NOC letter from your employer
- Confirmed flight and hotel reservations
- Travel medical insurance for the trip duration
Requirements vary. United Kingdom may ask for additional documents depending on your nationality and purpose of travel. Send us your details and we'll confirm the exact list before you start.
Apply for your United Kingdom visa
Start in a minute. Our visa desk confirms the visa type, the documents and the price before anything is submitted or paid.
Places to see in the United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle, high on an extinct volcano above Scotland's capital. The Elizabeth Tower, home of Big Ben, at the Palace of Westminster in London. Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, a stone circle about 5,000 years old. Derwent Water from Walla Crag, above Keswick in the Lake District. The Roman Baths in Bath, built around hot springs almost 2,000 years ago.
Common questions about United Kingdom visas
What should I know before applying for a United Kingdom visa from the UAE?
Most UAE residents who need a UK visa apply for the Standard Visitor visa, which covers tourism, visiting family or friends and short business trips, for stays of up to six months; Emiratis and other visa-free nationals apply online for an ETA instead. You apply online to UK Visas and Immigration, then give biometrics at the visa application centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, without returning to your home country. The standard target is around three weeks from the biometrics appointment, and your passport stays with the centre meanwhile. The decision rests on your documents alone, with no interview and generally no appeal, so we build the evidence of your ties to the UAE before anything is submitted.
How long does a United Kingdom visa take to process?
About 3 weeks from biometrics. That figure is indicative: the issuing government sets the actual processing time, and it varies with your nationality, the visa type and how busy the season is. We track the application through to collection and tell you where it stands.
How long is a United Kingdom visa valid for?
6 months / 2 years / 5 years / 10 years. Validity is decided by the issuing government and depends on the visa type you are granted, so it is confirmed on the visa itself rather than at application.
What documents do I need for a United Kingdom visa from the UAE?
Most United Kingdom applications from the UAE need: Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages; UAE residence visa copy (valid at least 3 months); Emirates ID copy (front and back); Recent passport-size photo to the required specification; Bank statements for the last 3-6 months; Employment contract or NOC letter from your employer; Confirmed flight and hotel reservations; Travel medical insurance for the trip duration. Requirements vary: United Kingdom may ask for additional documents depending on your nationality and purpose of travel, so we confirm the exact list for your case before you start.
How much does a United Kingdom visa cost from the UAE?
Our price for a United Kingdom visa starts from AED 1,460, for the simplest visa type. Embassy and visa centre fees are included. The exact figure depends on the visa type, your nationality and the processing speed you choose, so we confirm it once we know your residency and travel dates, before anything is submitted.
Guides for United Kingdom
Written by our visa desk in Dubai, and kept current.
