UAE · Visa centres · United Kingdom
UK visa application centres in the UAE
VFS Global takes UK visa applications in the UAE, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. You apply online first; the centre takes your biometrics and documents, and the UK Home Office decides.
Some facts below were read in a browser on 31 Oct 2026, because the official site blocked our reader on 1 Nov 2026; each one shows the date it was read.
Where UK visas are handled in the UAE
| Place | Address | Source |
|---|---|---|
| VFS GlobalAbu Dhabi | Not on the official pages we could read | visa.vfsglobal.comread 1 Nov 2026 |
| VFS GlobalDubai | Not on the official pages we could read | visa.vfsglobal.comread 1 Nov 2026 |
Book only on the official site: visa.vfsglobal.com/are/en/gbr/attend-centre.
Fees
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months) | GBP 135 | GOV.UKread 1 Nov 2026 |
| 2-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | GBP 506 | GOV.UKread 1 Nov 2026 |
| 5-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | GBP 903 | GOV.UKread 1 Nov 2026 |
| 10-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | GBP 1,128 | GOV.UKread 1 Nov 2026 |
| Priority service (decision usually within 5 working days) | GBP 500 | GOV.UKread 1 Nov 2026 |
| Super priority service (decision usually by end of next working day) | GBP 1,000 | GOV.UKread 1 Nov 2026 |
Booking and rules
- Operator. GOV.UK sends UAE applicants to the VFS Global UK visa application centre page. GOV.UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- Cities and hours. The VFS UK page lists centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, open Monday to Friday; Abu Dhabi 09:00-17:00. visa.vfsglobal.com · read 31 Oct 2026
- Apply online, then the VAC. A Standard Visitor visa is applied for online before travel, followed by an appointment at a visa application centre. GOV.UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- VAC may be abroad. GOV.UK warns that the visa application centre could be in another country. GOV.UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- Passport back the same day. The passport is returned the same day at the centre. GOV.UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- Decision time. A Standard Visitor visa decision usually comes within 3 weeks of the appointment. GOV.UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- Who decides. The Home Office makes the decision and e-mails the applicant. GOV.UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- Processing time table. GOV.UK lists 3 weeks for Standard Visitor applications made outside the UK (page updated 9 September 2026). GOV.UK · read 1 Nov 2026
- Tracking. GOV.UK has an online service that tells applicants when to expect a decision. GOV.UK · read 1 Nov 2026
Visa centre or agency?
An agency can help you fill in the forms and gather the documents, but you still hand in the application at the centre yourself, and only the embassy or the deciding office decides. Agencies on our UAE list that name UK visas on their own websites. In Dubai: Alrahhala Travel, TAAL Tourism, White Sky Travel and Tourism, Angel Wings, Trips Away Tourism and Veeserve; in Abu Dhabi: Fast Track Travel & Tourism, FlyOn Travel & Tourism, Bright Star Visa Services and Fly Desert Travel Services; in Ajman: First Online Travel & Tourism; in Al Ain: Ariana Travels; in Ras Al Khaimah: Al Baron Tourism and Go Kite Travel & Tours; in Sharjah: EEC Travels, Explore Tourism, Muwaileh Tourism and Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA).
FAQ
Where do I apply for a UK visa in the UAE?
At VFS Global, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Book on visa.vfsglobal.com/are/en/gbr/attend-centre.
How much is the UK visa fee in the UAE?
Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months): GBP 135; 2-year long-term Standard Visitor visa: GBP 506; 5-year long-term Standard Visitor visa: GBP 903; 10-year long-term Standard Visitor visa: GBP 1,128.
How long does a UK visa take from the UAE?
A Standard Visitor visa decision usually comes within 3 weeks of the appointment. GOV.UK lists 3 weeks for Standard Visitor applications made outside the UK (page updated 9 September 2026).
Related
Visa centres in the UAE: every countryUS visa centresCanada visa centresIndia visa centresFrance visa centresGermany visa centresItaly visa centresVisa agencies in Dubai
Sources, read 1 Nov 2026 unless marked: GOV.UK and visa.vfsglobal.com. We are not the embassy or any visa operator, and we don't book appointments.