UK Visa Application in Dubai & Abu Dhabi (Guide)

The United Kingdom (UK) is a popular destination for everyone who would love to travel to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the birthplace of Shakespeare and The Beatles. The capital, London, is a globally influential centre of finance and culture. To visit the UK, one would need a valid UK Visa.

How to apply for a UK Visa
How much does it cost for a UK Visa Application?
FAQs about Visa (UK)

Fortunately, for Dubai citizens and residents, visiting the UK is easy as long as you meet the requirements. It’s fairly easy to submit a UK visa application and obtain a UK visa in Dubai, especially for residents and citizens of the UAE.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting a UK visa in Dubai.

How to apply for a UK Visa?

VFS Global is an agency which manages visa application centres for UK Visas and Immigration in UAE. Applicants can submit their completed visa application form, supporting documents and biometric data to VFS Global, who will then submit the application to UK Visas and Immigration for processing.

1. Visit the UK government website for visas and immigration in UAE and apply for a visa here

2. To complete the application process, you must book and attend an appointment at any of the visa application centres in UAE. All UK visa applicants are required to book an appointment prior to submission. Walk in applicants will no longer be accommodated.

3. On the appointment date, bring the following required documents:

One passport-sized photograph.
Passport and/or travel documents.
Proof of finances.
Bank statements or pay slips covering a 6 month period.
Accommodation and travel details.
Copy of the biometric (main page of your passport).
Letter of invitation from you stating your address in the UK.

4. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. Visa results will be released after three weeks.

How much does it cost for a UK Visa Application?

UK Visa Application Fees

If you want to obtain a UK visa for leisure, you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa for the following reasons:

For leisure, for example on holiday or to see your family and friends
For business, or to take part in sports or creative events
For another reason, for example to receive private medical treatment

UK Visa Application fee may vary from short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) which may cost 430 AED (except agency fee).

A Standard Visitor visa costs £89 (430 AED). The fee for a long-term visit visa depends on its length: 2 years – £337 (1631 AED), 5 years – £612 (2962 AED), and 10 years – £767 (3712 AED).

For more information, contact or visit VFS Global Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

You can also refer to Access UK website:

FAQs about Visa (UK)

UK Visa FAQs

1. How long can you stay in the UK?
Applicants can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. However, applicants can stay longer if you are travelling for the following reasons:

Private medical treatment – up to 11 months (£179 fee)
Academic scholar for research – you, your spouse or civil partner may be able to stay for up to 12 months (£179 fee)
For applicants who wish to visit the UK for private medical treatment for longer than 6 months, you must apply for a biometric residence permit.

2. Can I apply for long-term visit visas?
Applicants can apply for a visa that lasts 2, 5 or 10 years. They can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit. If the applicant is under 18 years old at the time of application, long-term visit visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after they turn 18.

3. What are the requirements for eligibility?
Applicant must prove that they’ll leave the UK at the end of the visit and must prove that they can support themselves and any dependents for the duration of the trip.

4. How do I complete my UK visa application?
You can complete it online on the AccessUK website. First, you need to select an appointment date and time, make the payment online, and print and sign your completed online form.

5. Do I need to enrol my biometrics during the appointment?
Yes, applicants will need to provide your biometric information –a photograph and digital scan of your fingerprints.

6. Do you require personal appearance from children when applying for a visa?
Every applicant must attend the visa application centre in person (even children below age of 5) to enrol biometrics. Adults should accompany children under 18 years of age.

7. Should I confirm my travel tickets before I apply for a visa?
Applicants are advised to first wait for the result of the visa application before confirming any of your travel arrangements.

8. Which documents are required for the appointment?

Your appointment confirmation (this can be an electronic copy on your phone or a hard copy)
Visa fee receipt and user pay visa application centre service fee receipt
A valid passport or travel document with at least 1 page that is blank on both sides
For applicants who are exempt from giving biometrics: 1 recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm) colour photograph of your face, which meets the requirements of UKVI’s photograph guidance
A printout of your completed online application form (signed and dated)
If you are applying under the points-based system, a completed self-assessment form, signed and dated
Payment receipts for any pre-purchased user pays services
All supporting documents (please ensure documents are removed from any bulky folders such as ring binders as these cannot be accepted as part of your application)
Supplementary application forms
You will be asked to complete a document checklist on arrival at the visa application centre

9. Is there an interview required?
UK Visas and Immigration staff may conduct interviews if this is required during the processing of your application.

Did you find the article useful? For a more detailed guide, refer to the VFS Global website for UK visa applications.

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Comments (35)

study visa
By Sajawal Hussain (Oct, 2024) |

I need permit work visa
By Alex Ssuuna (Jun, 2024) |

Thanks for the information But I would like to know where are the offices because currently am in UAE but would like to migrate to UK
By Kwaga Esther (Apr, 2023) |

I want UK tourist visa
By Muhammad AFSHAN (Sep, 2022) |

i want to apply uk work permit, what will i do for it
By kidist bahru (Aug, 2022) |

can you please share the information with me that how can i get a work visa in UK from Dubai
By Zeeshan Ali Aslam (Apr, 2023) |

Hi sir madam. I need turoist visa uk I like it uk country
By Asjad manzoor mughal (Jul, 2022) |

Hey everyone.. How i can go to UK from Uae. How i can apply .. And how much cost on visa i need complete information please anyone guaid me
By Muhammad shoaib (Jun, 2022) |

Please contact me. l need UK work visa
By Mohsin ali (May, 2022) |

Study visa
By Atif bashir (May, 2022) |

I want to go Uk with work permit. What Will I do for it
By sam mahanaim (Sep, 2021) |

Hi, I have a UAE residence permit, valid till 9 June 2021, can I apply for my dependent visa for the UK? please reply to me? Thanks
By Shaz (Mar, 2021) |

Want UK work permits from UAE
By Kamal Pariyar (Feb, 2021) |

Good day .i ,m currently in UAE, Ajman. I want to visit UK on standard visa tour. Please what are the process? Thanks
By Obanor Koyehi David (Dec, 2020) |

I need uk visa
By Mohammad foyjul islam (Oct, 2020) |

We’ll my brother is leaving at uk ?? he want to invite me because I wanna spend my vacation with him..... what did I need.....actually I’m with uae workers ID
By Gbolahan ishola Abdulazeez (Sep, 2020) |

Uk visa information and price
By ABDUL REHMAN SIDDIQUE (May, 2020) |

Visa information
By MUHAMMAD Awais (Jun, 2022) |

Yes, I will smile I hope you are well. I am Bangladeshi, I am now living in Abu Dhabi. What uk visa can I get? Let me know what you are interested in.
By Niloy hasan rakib (Feb, 2020) |

Is it possible to do online UK Visa application for someone in Dubai from Saudi Arabia ?
By Noe Uaje (Dec, 2019) |

I have domestic worker its valid till 16 April but I need to travel longer period .My question is can I apply new visa while my current visa is valid.
By zunnoon Farooqui (Dec, 2019) |

Hi , I wanted to go U.K through working visa , my uncle wants be to be there what will be the process for the following things? your response will be really appreciated. Thank you
By AMIR TAMANG (Nov, 2019) |

Am planning to go for my NEBOSH graduation in 2020. How can I process my visa?
By Geoffrey Musana (Nov, 2019) |

Hi , am applying for tier 2 visa for UK . As am waiting for my sponsor ship letter once I receive I can apply for visa application but I want to know since am on tourist visa in uae will I be able to submit or apply for visa in British counselate. Or do I have to go back to my home country to apply for UK visa?please guide me through this
By Sonia joy (Nov, 2019) |

My daughter's Graduation is in Glasgow this December. She also got a job offer there. Myself and my wife would like to go for the graduation and latter again as she would be working in Glasgow. How do we apply for a long term visa (2 or more years)
By Philip (Oct, 2019) |

I would like to apply for 10 years visa by any chance if they did not approve am i getting my money back i mean they will refund the rest or not
By Sara tavakkol (Sep, 2019) |

I would like to apply for visit visa to go for few days on the 22nd of November to attend my husband ‘s Graduation ceremony. My passport (Lebanese) expires on Feb,18,2020. I.e less than 6 months, can I apply or I have to renew my passport? I can renew my passport for only one year from UAE, is that sufficient?
By Yasmine Karim (Sep, 2019) |

I want to visit in UK England my sister she’s residence the for 17 years.but I’m here in Dubai how I’ll go there to visit her ? What first Things that I need to do ?
By Jhoanne (Sep, 2019) |

I want to visit my friend in London what is requirements I need,and how much the expenses ,thank you
By Joie Jungco (Aug, 2019) |

Respected sir. I am suresh from nepal. Working uae since 2010 . I just wanna know about visa process in uk either us . I have monthly income only 4K here . If possible working permit in their . How I process.
By Suresh Bhandari (Jul, 2019) |

Want to apply for UK visit visa.How can I apply
By Tausif Badar (Jul, 2019) |

Hi my fiance is a Ukrainian national and he is studying in England currently. I am living in Dubai and I am planning to join him in England. Which would be the best way for me to do that? What are my options and what do you suggest ? Also how does the dependant Visa work with a study Visa? Is it possible and what would I need in order to apply for it
By Shaazia Yacoob (Apr, 2019) |

how can i book for an appointment in abu dhabi for uk visa application? I would like to visit my family for just a week next month. thank you
By KatrinaN (Dec, 2018) |

I need to visit UK at most for just one week to visit my family and friends...i am currently working at Marriott hotel in abu dhabi...how do i go about it
By Fungai Dube (Nov, 2018) |

HI, I am preparing documents for a short-term student visa to the UK, does it need to have a UAE stamp in all of my supporting documents? Your response is appreciated. Thank You
By J. Lopez (Oct, 2018) |

I need to get visa to transfer my job to uk , from duabi . Its the same company , and they neeed to take me UK , so how can i apply for the visa ? And what r the procedure?
By Shibu jose (Apr, 2018) |

Thanks well explained
By Manzoor pa (Feb, 2018) |

I want go to UK. But how give me UK visa
By Kishan Kumar (Mar, 2018) |