Moving to the UK from the UAE: Guide
A guide for UAE nationals and residents moving to the UK, covering visa routes, document requirements, and costs in AED.
- Section
- Moving to the UK From...
- Reading time
- 6 min
- Last checked
- 7 March 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- No TB test required; English language test IS required.
- UAE does NOT allow dual citizenship for Emirati nationals.
- Student visas and investor routes are popular for UAE nationals.
- Budget AED 15,000 to 40,000 for visa costs.
- Expats in the UAE can apply from Dubai or Abu Dhabi VACs.
The UAE has a significant connection to the UK through business, education, and property investment. Many UAE nationals and UAE-based expats move to the UK. This guide covers the main visa routes and requirements.
Visa Routes
- Student visa. Popular route. See the student visa guide.
- Skilled Worker visa. Requires a licensed sponsor at the minimum salary.
- Family visa. See the spouse visa guide.
- Innovator Founder visa. For entrepreneurs starting businesses in the UK.
- Graduate route. See the Graduate route guide.
Document Requirements
- Valid UAE passport.
- No TB test required.
- English language test. Required. IELTS widely available across the UAE.
- Police certificate. From the UAE Ministry of Interior. Available through the MOI app or service centres.
Costs in UAE Dirham
- Skilled Worker visa: £819 to £1,618
- Immigration Health Surcharge (per year): £1,035 (approximately AED 4,600), or £776 for students and their dependants
- Student visa: £558
See our UK visa fees guide.
The UAE Community in the UK
UAE nationals in the UK are a smaller community but include many students, business people, and property investors. London is the primary destination. Many non-Emirati expats also move from the UAE to the UK, bringing experience of the UAE's business and cultural environment.
After Arrival
- Create a UK Visas and Immigration account and check your online immigration status (eVisa). Biometric residence permits are no longer issued.
- Apply for a National Insurance number
- Register with a GP
- Open a UK bank account
- Know how to contact the Home Office
Dual Citizenship
The UAE does not allow dual citizenship. Acquiring British citizenship means losing UAE citizenship. Many Emirati nationals choose to maintain ILR instead.
Next Steps
For official information, visit the British Embassy Abu Dhabi and the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page.
Questions and answers
Do UAE nationals need a TB test?
No. The UAE is not on the Home Office list requiring TB screening. UAE nationals do not need a TB certificate for any UK visa category.
Do UAE nationals need an English language test?
Yes. The UAE is not a majority English-speaking country despite English being widely used.
Can expats living in the UAE apply for UK visas from there?
Yes. Non-UAE nationals living in the UAE can apply for UK visas from Dubai or Abu Dhabi VACs. You will need to provide documents relating to your UAE residency as well as your home country documents.
Does the UAE allow dual citizenship?
No. The UAE does not allow dual citizenship for Emirati nationals. Acquiring British citizenship would mean losing UAE citizenship.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.