Think twice.
Score capped: two or more governments advise against non-essential travel.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about United Arab Emirates
The advisories disagree by 2 level(s) — read all four before you decide who to trust.
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Think twice.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Lottery and Legal Trouble Scams
Fraudsters use telephone messages or automated voice calls to claim you won a lottery, are in legal trouble, or are receiving money from a Sheikh. Ignore these communications to avoid being scammed.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Homosexuality
Homosexual acts are illegal and carry the potential penalty of death or life in prison. Avoid all public displays of affection.
Public Decency and PDA
Public displays of affection, nudity, and public sex are illegal and punishable by fine or jail. Sex outside of marriage is also illegal.
Drug Possession
Possession of drugs is strictly punished, often with four years in prison. You can be arrested for microscopic drug traces on your clothing.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Authorities may perform blood tests if you are suspected of being under the influence. You can be jailed for substances ingested abroad if they are illegal in the UAE.
Illegal Medications
Certain painkillers like codeine are illegal narcotics. Carry a copy of your prescription to avoid jail sentences for possessing these medications.
Social Media Defamation
Under cyber-crime laws, making defamatory statements about someone on social media can result in fines or jail time, even if the statement was made years ago in another country.
Offensive Behavior
Using profanity or rude hand gestures can lead to fines and jail time if reported. Losing your temper in public can also result in imprisonment.
Alcohol and Religion
Alcohol consumption is restricted to private or licensed areas. Publicly criticizing Islam or distributing material against it is prohibited.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Monkeypox, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The visa policy of the United Arab Emirates allows citizens of certain countries to enter the United Arab Emirates without a visa. Citizens of certain other countries must obtain a visa from one of the UAE diplomatic missions. Alternatively, they may obtain an online visa through Smart Service or airlines.
Passport validity required: 6 months beyond entry.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on western interests, including against UK citizens. Due to increasing regional tensions, Israeli and Jewish linked sites could be targets for terrorists in the UAE . Targets may include: residential compounds military sites oil transport aviation interests crowded places restaurants hotels beaches shopping centres places of worship Maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and at public events.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
Dress code
Dress modestly in public areas like shopping malls: women should cover shoulders and knees, and underwear should not be visible avoid transparent clothing or any attire that features imagery or phrases that could potentially offend others swimming attire should only be worn on beaches or at swimming pools cross-dressing is illegal Some venues, events or buildings may have specific dress codes.
Source: UK FCDO →LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the UAE , and same-sex marriages are not recognised. The UAE is in many respects a tolerant society and private life is respected. However, there have been reports of individuals being punished for same-sex sexual activity, particularly where there is any public element, or where the behaviour has caused offence. This applies both to foreign national residents and tourists. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
- Israeli minister Gaza remarks condemned2026-09-08
- Israel National Security Council issues travel warnings ahead of Jewish High Holidays2026-09-06
- October 7th blessings ? Muslim Brotherhood - linked cleric celebrates Mamdani rise2026-09-06
- Cleric linked to Muslim Brotherhood calls Mamdani , El Sayed rise blessing of Oct . 7 : report2026-09-05
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
G · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 999 / ambulance: 998 / fire: 997
SIM / Data
There are two providers who have their own cellular network: e& (etisalat) and du. The coverage of both throughout the country is about the same. 4 GB for 28 days costs 49 dirham (Jan 2026) at both providers with the SIM card for free. The eSIM provider Airhub offers 1 GB for 1 week for US$1.89 (Jan 2026).
Cash vs. Card
The currency is the United Arab Emirates dirham denoted by the symbol " د.إ" or "dh" (ISO code: AED). It is pegged to the US dollar at 3.67 dirham for $1. Two sets of notes are in circulation in the United Arab Emirates, the paper and polymer series and are issued in denonimations of 5 (paper and polymer), 10 (paper and polymer), 20 (paper), 50 (paper and polymer), 100 (paper and polymer), 200 (pa
Zoom in
5 United Arab Emirates cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (7 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09