United Arab Emirates
Country Specific Information
- Country Description
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)/Embassy Location
- Entry/Exit Requirements for U.S. Citizens
- Threats to Safety and Security
- Crime
- Victims of Crime
- Criminal Penalties
- Special Circumstances
- Medical Facilities and Health Information
- Medical Insurance
- Traffic Safety and Road Conditions
- Aviation Safety Oversight
- Children's Issues
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates, each
with its own ruler. The federal government is headed
by a president and council of ministers, with
the president also serving as the ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Islamic
ideals and beliefs provide the foundation of the
country's conservative customs, laws, and practices. The UAE has a
modern
and generally well-developed infrastructure, and
tourist facilities are widely available. Read the Department of State’s
Fact Sheet on the United Arab Emirates for additional information.
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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION:
If you are going to live in or visit the United Arab Emirates, please
take the time to tell our Embassy or Consulate about
your trip. If you check in, we can keep you up
to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also
help
your friends and family get in touch with you in
an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi
Physical Address: Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4.
Mailing Address: US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: (971) (2) 414-2200
Emergency after-hours telephone: (971) (2) 414-2200
Facsimile: (971) (2) 414-2241
U.S. Consulate General in Dubai
Physical address: At the corner of Al Seef Rd. and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Rd, Dubai, U.A.E. Mailing address: U.S. Consulate General Dubai, P.O. Box 121777, Dubai, UAE
Telephone: (971) (4) 309-4000
Emergency after-hours telephone: (971) (4) 309-4000
Facsimile (971) (4) 311-6213
The work week for both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai is Sunday through Thursday.
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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens are subject to all UAE immigration laws, which can be complex and demanding. U.S. citizens should familiarize themselves with such laws before traveling to or residing in the UAE. A passport valid for at least six months is required to enter the UAE. For personal travel of 30 days or fewer, U.S. citizens holding valid tourist passports may obtain visitor visas at the port of entry for no fee. For stays longer than 30 days, all travelers must obtain a visa before arrival in the UAE. In addition, a full medical exam is required for work or residence permits and includes an HIV/AIDS test. Testing must be performed after arrival; a U.S. HIV/AIDS test is not accepted. U.S. citizens have been detained and deported for testing positive for HIV or hepatitis. Please verify this information with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates before you travel. It is located at 3522 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20037, telephone (202) 243-2400. Visit the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates website for the most current visa information.
U.S. citizens traveling to or through the United Arab Emirates on diplomatic or official passports are required to obtain a visa before travel. Unlike other countries in the region that accept U.S. military ID cards as valid travel documents, the UAE requires U.S. military personnel to present a valid passport for entry/exit.
U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries that are not members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) who depart the UAE via land are required to pay a departure fee. This fee is 20 UAE dirhams and is payable only in the local currency.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.
HIV/AIDS restrictions: UAE has imposed HIV/AIDS travel restrictions on travelers; see ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS, above. Please verify this information with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates before you travel.
Customs restrictions: The U.S. Embassy strongly advises travelers, including all U.S. government personnel and those transiting UAE airports, to avoid the transport of any arms or items that may be considered law enforcement or military equipment without prior written approval from the UAE Ministry of Defense. Such items include, but are not limited to, weapons, weapon parts and tools, ammunition, body armor, handcuffs, and any other military or police equipment. Transport of these items into or through the UAE is considered a violation of UAE law. Persons found to be carrying such items, even in the smallest quantities, will be arrested and face strict criminal penalties, including imprisonment, large monetary fines, forfeiture of the items, and deportation. U.S. citizens transporting such weapons and equipment without the express written authorization of the UAE government have been arrested and jailed, even though airlines and U.S. authorities allowed shipment on a U.S.-originating flight.
The United Arab Emirates takes the transport of any and all types of law enforcement equipment or military gear seriously and has demonstrated its ability to enforce its laws in this respect. The U.S. government can neither protect, nor intervene on behalf of, individuals who are accused of violating foreign government laws whether intentionally or by negligence. It is the responsibility of individuals travelling abroad to be informed of all pertinent information, particularly in relation to legal issues, regarding the countries through which they travel or transit.
Please review the Criminal Penalties section of this document for more information on customs restrictions, particularly in regard to the UAE’s strict anti-drug laws.
The Government of the United Arab Emirates requires that all persons residing in the UAE, including U.S. citizens, have a national identification card. U.S. citizens who are working or living in the UAE should visit the Emirates Identity Authority website for more information on card registration procedures and requirements.
For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY:
U.S. citizens in the United Arab Emirates should exercise a high level
of security awareness. The Department of State remains
concerned about the global threat of terrorism,
including the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and
interests
in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula. Both
historical and current information suggest that al-Qaida and affiliated
organizations
continue to plan attacks against Western
targets; these attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including
suicide operations,
assassination, kidnapping, hijacking, and
bombing. U.S. citizens should maintain a low profile, vary routes and
times for
all required travel, and treat mail and packages
from unfamiliar sources with caution. In addition, U.S. citizens should
avoid
contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects
and report the presence of the objects to local authorities. U.S.
government
personnel overseas have been advised to take the
same precautions. U.S. government facilities may temporarily close or
suspend
public services from time to time as necessary
to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy.
Taking photographs of UAE military, sensitive
civilian sites or foreign diplomatic missions – including the U.S.
Embassy or
Consulate General – may result in arrest,
detention, and/or prosecution by local authorities. In addition,
engaging in mapping
activities, especially mapping that includes the
use of GPS equipment, without coordination with UAE authorities, may
have
the same consequences.
On several occasions in past years, small groups of expatriate recreational boaters were detained by the Iranian Coast Guard for alleged violation of Iranian territorial waters while fishing near the island of Abu Musa, approximately 20 miles from Dubai. The UAE and Iran have had a long-standing dispute concerning jurisdiction of Abu Musa. Fishing or sailing in these waters may result in seizure of vessels and detention of passengers and crew in Iran. Obtaining consular assistance in Iran is difficult and can only be done through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which acts as a Protecting Power, providing limited U.S. consular services.
Stay up to date by:
- Bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
- Following us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
- Downloading our free Smart Traveler App available through iTunes and the Android market to have travel information at your fingertips.
- Calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
- Taking some time before travel to consider your personal security –Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad.
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CRIME: Most
travelers to the UAE are not impacted by crime. Violent crimes and
crimes against property are rare, but do occur. The
U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to take
the same security precautions in the UAE that one would practice in the
United
States or any large city abroad. Although
vehicle break-ins are not common, U.S. citizens are encouraged to ensure
that unattended
vehicles are locked and that valuables are not
left in plain sight.
Incidents of verbal and physical harassment as
well as isolated cases involving assault of expatriate women have
occurred,
including some incidents of harassment by taxi
drivers. On more than one occasion, expatriate females have been
sexually assaulted
while walking alone through underground
pedestrian walkways near the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Female travelers should
keep in mind
the cultural differences among the many people
who coexist in the UAE and should be cognizant that unwitting actions
may invite
unwanted attention. Taxi passengers should avoid
sitting in the front seat of a taxicab and should be sensitive that
"small
talk" can be misinterpreted as over-friendliness
or even a form of propositioning by some taxi drivers. Victims of
harassment
are encouraged to report such incidents to the
U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai.
Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are these goods illegal in the United States, purchasing them is a violation of local law.
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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate. We can:
- Replace a stolen passport.
- Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
- Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we cancontact family members or friends.
- Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States. Further information for victims of crime in the UAE can be found on the U.S. Embassy website.
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CRIMINAL PENALTIES:
While you are traveling in the UAE you are subject to its laws even if
you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems
can be vastly different than our own. In some
places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your
passport
with you. In some places, it is illegal to take
pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the
influence
could land you immediately in jail. These
criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also
some things
that might be legal in the country you visit,
but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under
U.S.
law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual
conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a
foreign
country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in the UAE, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to
know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.
As each Emirate has its own independent judicial
system, legal procedures and penalties vary throughout the country.
Penalties
for breaking the law can be more severe than in
the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Emirati laws,
even
unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested,
imprisoned, or prevented from traveling and their passport held by local
authorities
for extended periods of time. U.S. citizens have
been arrested in the past for obscene hand gestures, using
inappropriate
(foul) language with a police official, and for
public displays of affection, such as kissing. Penalties for possession,
use,
or trafficking in illegal drugs in the United
Arab Emirates are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail
sentences,
heavy fines, and deportation. It is possible to
be convicted for drug possession based on the result of a drug test even
if
no other evidence exists, regardless of when or
where the consumption originally occurred.
Alcohol and Drugs: Consuming or possessing alcohol without a Ministry of Interior liquor permit is illegal and could result in arrest and/or fines and imprisonment. Alcohol is served at bars in most major hotels but is intended for guests of the hotel. Persons who are not guests of the hotel, and who consume alcohol in the restaurants and bars, technically are required to have their own personal liquor licenses. Liquor licenses are issued only to non-Muslim persons who possess UAE residency permits. Public drunkenness and driving under the influence, regardless of one’s blood alcohol content level, are considered very serious offenses. Persons arrested on alcohol-related offenses are regularly detained for many days as they await a court hearing. Penalties may include hefty jail sentences, substantial fines and, for Muslims (even those holding U.S. citizenship), lashings. NOTE: Alcohol is permitted in six of the seven emirates, but is prohibited in the emirate of Sharjah.
Legislation enacted in January 1996 imposes the death sentence for convicted drug traffickers. Since January 2006, possession of even trace amounts of illegal drugs has resulted in lengthy prison sentences for foreign citizens transiting the UAE.
Some drugs normally taken under a doctor's supervision in the United States, and even some over-the-counter U.S. drugs and medications, are classified as narcotics in the UAE and are illegal to possess. A doctor's prescription should be carried along with any medication that is brought into the country. A person may be subject to arrest and prosecution if possession of banned medicines (especially those containing codeine and similar narcotic-like ingredients) comes to the attention of local authorities. More information about medications can be found on the website of the UAE ministry of Health (http://www.moh.gov.ae). Most medications available in the United States are also available by doctors’ prescription through hospitals and pharmacies in the UAE.
The UAE's tough anti-narcotics program also includes poppy seeds, widely used in other cultures, including the United States, for culinary purposes, on its list of controlled substances. The importation and possession of poppy seeds in any and all forms, including as dried decorative plants, are strictly prohibited. Persons found to possess even very small quantities of controlled substances listed by the UAE are subject to prosecution by the authorities and may be given lengthy prison terms of up to 15 years.
Travelers with questions regarding the items on the list of controlled substances should contact the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai. If suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, individuals may be required to submit to blood and/or urine tests and may be subject to prosecution.
Fraud: Crimes of fraud, including passing bad checks and non-payment of bills (including hotel bills), are regarded seriously in the UAE and can result in imprisonment and/or fines. A personal check written as a guarantee for the payment of a personal or business debt may be submitted to a local bank for collection at any time for the full amount of the check. If the account holder does not have sufficient funds, they may be charged with passing a bad check. Bail generally is not available to non-residents of the UAE who are arrested for crimes involving fraud. Debtors can be held in prison until their debts are paid or until an agreement is reached between the parties.
Religious proselytizing: While individuals are free to worship as they choose, and facilities are available for that purpose, religious proselytizing is not permitted in the UAE. Persons violating this law, even unknowingly, may be imprisoned or deported.
Consular notification: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.
If arrested, U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for assistance. The U.S. Consul will provide information on the local judicial system and a list of local attorneys.
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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
The Government of the United Arab Emirates does not recognize dual
nationality. Children of UAE fathers automatically acquire
UAE citizenship at birth and must enter the UAE
on UAE passports. UAE authorities have confiscated U.S. passports of
UAE/U.S.
dual nationals in the past. This act does not
constitute loss of U.S. citizenship, but should be reported to the U.S.
Embassy
in Abu Dhabi or the U.S. Consulate General in
Dubai.
In addition to being subject to all UAE laws, U.S. citizens who also hold UAE citizenship may also be subject to other laws
that impose special obligations on citizens of the UAE. For additional information, please refer to our information on dual nationality.
Codes of behavior and dress in the UAE reflect the country's Islamic traditions and are much more conservative than those of the United States. Visitors to the UAE should be respectful of this conservative heritage, especially in the Emirate of Sharjah where rules of decency and public conduct are strictly enforced. Public decency and morality laws throughout the UAE are much stricter than in the United States. Penalties for public displays of affection or immodesty can be severe. Travelers have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms for kissing in public. Homosexual activity is illegal in the UAE and is punished by imprisonment. LGBT travelers should review the LGBT Travel Information page. Sexual relations outside marriage and adultery are illegal in the UAE and convicted individuals have been punished by lengthy jail sentences.
Travelers should keep in mind the cultural differences among the many people who coexist in the UAE and should be cognizant that unwitting actions, including clothing choices, may invite unwanted attention. Isolated incidents of verbal and physical harassment of Western women have occurred. Victims of harassment are encouraged to report such incidents to the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai.
Employment in the UAE: Although it is customary for a local sponsor to hold an employee's passport, it is illegal to do so under UAE law. Many contractual/labor disputes can be avoided by clearly establishing all terms and conditions of employment or sponsorship in the labor contract at the beginning of any employment. Should a dispute arise, the UAE Ministry of Labor has established a special department to review and arbitrate labor claims.
U.S. citizens have at times become involved in disputes of a commercial nature that have prompted local firms or courts to take possession of the U.S. citizen's passport, effectively preventing the individual from leaving the UAE until the dispute is resolved. In addition, local firms have been known to leverage the UAE criminal justice system in an attempt to coerce and/or strengthen their negotiation stance during commercial disputes by filing criminal complaints, which may lead not only to travel restrictions but possible criminal penalties, including jail time. A list of local attorneys capable of representing U.S. citizens in such matters is available from the Consular and Commercial sections of the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai.
Document Authentications: U.S. citizens intending to reside and work in the UAE are generally required by the UAE government to present authenticated personal documents such as marriage and birth certificates, adoption and custody decrees, and educational documents. Authentication of documents can be a complex process involving local, state, and federal offices and requiring several weeks to complete. For procedural information, the Office of Authentications may be contacted by telephone from within the United States at 800-688-9889 or 202-647-5002, by fax at 202-663-3636. The websites of the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai also contain information about the authentication process.
In order to meet UAE government requirements for school registrations and residency sponsorship for family members, U.S. citizens intending to bring their families to reside with them in the UAE will need to have their marriage certificate and children's birth certificates, or custody/adoption decrees, if appropriate, authenticated by the state in which the document was issued, by the Department of State in Washington, DC, and by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General cannot authenticate U.S. local- and state-issued personal, academic, or professional documents, even if those documents have already been authenticated by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Authentications. Additional information on authentication of documents can be found on the State Department’s website and on the Embassy or Consulate General websites.
A recent change to UAE labor law requires local sponsors to have employees' diplomas, academic and/or occupational/professional certificates validated through a "Degree Verification" process established in the UAE. Prospective employees will be required to submit photocopies of such documents for verification to a firm under contract to the Ministry of Labor.
In addition, persons in the education and health professions reportedly have to meet two requirements for validation of their educational credentials at this time –the formal "chain" authentication of academic/professional credentials in the U.S. and the "Degree Verification" process in the UAE, both described above. Different UAE ministries have different requirements in this regard. Determining these requirements with one’s prospective employer is strongly recommended before arrival in the UAE.
Accessibility: While in the UAE, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Although the United Arab Emirates has several modern cities, the level of service, especially outside of newly constructed areas is not comparable to the United States. This includes the availability of public transportation attuned to the needs of those with disabilities, well-designed sidewalks and road crossings, and accessible businesses.
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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Basic modern medical care and medicines are available in the principal cities of the UAE, but not necessarily in outlying
areas.
Good information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be found via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed, country-specific health information.
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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need
to ask your insurance company two questions:
- Does my policy apply when I’m out of the U.S.?
- Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?
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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
While in the UAE, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that
differ significantly from those in the United States.
The information below concerning the United Arab
Emirates is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally
accurate
in a particular location or circumstance.
The police emergency number and ambulance number
is 999. Mobile phones are widely used throughout the UAE, so passers-by
will
usually request emergency police and medical
services quickly if they see that you need help. Response time by
emergency services
is adequate. However, medical personnel
emphasize transport of the injured to the hospital rather than treatment
on site.
Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in the UAE. According to the World Health Organization, the UAE has the highest rate of road fatalities in the Middle East and one of the highest rates in the world. Drivers often drive at high speeds. Unsafe driving practices are common, especially on inter-city highways. On highways, unmarked speed bumps and drifting sand create additional hazards. Pedestrians should also use great care on the roads of the UAE –over 25 percent of road fatalities are pedestrians.
Country-wide traffic laws impose stringent penalties for certain violations, particularly driving under the influence of alcohol. In the UAE, there is zero tolerance for driving after consumption of alcohol. Persons arrested for drinking and driving are often jailed for many days as they await a court hearing. Penalties may include hefty jail sentences, fines, and, for Muslims (even those holding U.S. citizenship), lashings. Persons involved in an accident in which another party is injured automatically go to jail until the injured person is released from the hospital. Should a person die in a traffic accident, the driver of the other vehicle is liable for payment of compensation for the death (known as "dhiyya"), usually the equivalent of 55,000 U.S. dollars. Even relatively minor accidents may result in lengthy proceedings, during which both drivers may be prohibited from leaving the country.
In order to drive, UAE residents must obtain a UAE driver's license. Foreign driver's licenses are generally not recognized. However, U.S. citizen visitors who are not UAE residents can drive using a valid driver’s license issued by his or her state. An international driver’s license may be required in some emirates. The UAE recognizes driver's licenses issued by other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states only if the bearer is driving a vehicle registered to the same GCC state. Under no circumstances should anyone drive without a valid license.
If you are in an accident, UAE law mandates that you remain at the scene until authorities arrive. The use of front seat belts is mandatory in the UAE. Driving is on the right side of the road. Speed limits are posted. Making a right turn on a red light is not permitted unless there is a special lane to do so with a yield sign. Parking is not allowed where the curb is painted black and yellow. Digital cameras are used extensively on Emirati roads for registering traffic violations, including speeding. Fines can be substantial. Passengers with outstanding traffic fines may be detained at airport immigration.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the
Government of the United Arab Emirates’ Civil Aviation Authority
as being in compliance with International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of
the
United Arab Emirates’ air carrier operations.
Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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* * *
This replaces the Country Specific Information
for the United Arab Emirates dated April 5, 2012, to update the sections
on
Entry/Exit Requirements, Criminal Penalties,
Special Circumstances, and Traffic Safety and Road Conditions.
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