Visas for British Passport Holders Living in the UAE
A British passport reaches almost everything in our holiday range without a visa, so the work on this page is mostly about the exceptions and about the two European systems that are changing: the Entry/Exit System, which has been registering travellers at Schengen borders since 2025, and ETIAS, which is not yet in operation. There is also one trap worth reading carefully — a British citizen never needs a UK ETA, including dual nationals.
Eligibility is decided by the issuing authority. Visa rules are set by the issuing authority and change without notice. We re-check the current position for your passport and residence status before you book, and no page here promises an approval. The rules on this page were checked on 27 October 2026 against the sources listed at the foot of the page.
Destinations in our programme — position for a British passport
Verified against the official sources listed at the foot of this page.
| Destination | What a British passport needs | Stay | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No visa and no ETA — British and Irish citizens are not subject to immigration control | Unlimited as a citizen | GOV.UK |
| Schengen states | No visa. ETIAS is not yet in operation, so travel continues on the passport alone for now | 90 days in any 180 | EU official portal |
| Thailand | No visa — visa exemption | 30 days | Royal Gazette |
| Sri Lanka | Free tourist ETA | 30 days | Sri Lanka ETA |
| Georgia | Visa-free; the UAE residence-permit route also gives 90 days in any 180 | 90 days in any 180 via residence | Georgian embassy |
| Malaysia | No visa for a social visit | Up to 90 days | Malaysian MFA |
| Turkey | No visa | 90 days | Türkiye MFA |
| Vietnam | e-visa, 90 days — the one Asian route needing an online application | 90 days | Vietnam e-visa |
| Saudi Arabia | Tourist eVisa as a GCC resident, or an Umrah visa through Nusuk | Up to 90 days | Saudi eVisa |
| Egypt | Visa on arrival or e-visa — we confirm the current arrangement for your passport and port | 30 days | Reported — confirm |
| United States / Canada | Visa or authorisation required depending on your status; we arrange the application | Per visa granted | Confirm at booking |
The two European systems, and where each one stands
Both are EU systems and neither is something a traveller applies for through us. This is the position on 27 October 2026.
| System | Status | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Entry/Exit System (EES) | Rolling out from 12 October 2025 and fully operational since 10 April 2026 | Your passport details, fingerprints and photograph are registered electronically the first time you cross a Schengen external border. Nothing to apply for and nothing to pay. |
| ETIAS | Not yet in operation — no applications are being accepted and no launch date is set | Once it launches, visa-exempt nationals including British passport holders will need an authorisation costing 20 euros, free for under-18s and over-70s. Apply only on the official EU site once it opens. |
Three points that catch British travellers out
- Dual nationals: a British citizen does not need an ETA to enter the UK, but must travel on a valid British or Irish passport or a passport carrying a certificate of entitlement — entering on the other passport as a visitor is where problems start.
- 90 days in 180 is counted across the whole Schengen area, not per country, so a French week followed by a Spanish fortnight still uses the same allowance.
- ETIAS is not in force, so any site selling you an ETIAS today is selling something that does not exist yet.
Where we still do the paperwork for a British passport
| Application | Why it is still needed |
|---|---|
| Vietnam e-visa | British nationals are not visa-exempt for Vietnam; the official e-visa covers 90 days, single or multiple entry |
| Sri Lanka ETA | Free for British nationals, but the ETA must still be applied for online before arrival |
| Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Azerbaijan | eVisa or arrival visa, arranged with the holiday booking |
| United States, Canada | Full application or authorisation depending on your status — we prepare the file and the appointment |
| Long-stay or work visas | Anything beyond a tourist stay, including Schengen long-stay and UK family visas |
The widest visa-free access — and the one system still pending — Questions We Answer Most
Eligibility, documents, timing and what happens if a visa is refused. Anything else, ask us on WhatsApp.
Where you can go with this visa position
Each destination page carries its own visa note for the passport you hold, along with the best time to travel and live holiday prices from Dubai.
Sources checked on 27 October 2026
- GOV.UK — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
- UK Home Office — ETA factsheet (April 2026)
- EU official travel portal (ETIAS / EES)
- European Commission — applying for a Schengen visa
- Thailand — Royal Gazette visa exemption list (in force 15 Sept 2026)
- Sri Lanka ETA — official fees and free-ETA list
- Embassy of Georgia to the UAE — visa information
- Malaysia Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa requirement list
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa information
- Vietnam — official e-visa portal
- Saudi Arabia — official tourist eVisa portal