United Arab Emirates

Overview

Military and retaliatory strikes have continued between the United States and Iran, with Iranian attacks targeting a number of locations in the Middle East. The situation remains volatile. Military activity could occur or resume in a sustained way at any time, with US-linked locations continuing to remain a target of Iranian strikes.  Should this happen, travel disruptions and airspace closures could occur, potentially impacting New Zealanders in the United Arab Emirates for some time. Our travel advice levels could also change at short notice. 

Given this, we strongly encourage New Zealanders in or travelling to the region to:

• Register your travel on SafeTravel so we can provide immediate advice if advisories change and share information if there is a major incident in your location.
• Monitor the warning systems linked below for official alerts regarding the security situation in the United Arab Emirates.
• Monitor media, advice from local authorities and information from other credible sources for similar information and updates.
• Discuss your travel insurance coverage with your insurer, particularly whether your policy covers disruptions to your travel from ongoing conflict in the Middle East. If your existing policy doesn’t cover disruptions, consider other insurance options or what support is provided by your airline if your travel is delayed for a prolonged period.
• Consider other travel options if you remain concerned about the risk to your travel

New Zealanders should ensure they follow any shelter orders given by local authorities. These measures are in place to ensure your safety. Before and during the event of a missile or drone strike:

• Know how alerts are communicated in your location (for example, sirens or mobile phone alerts).
  • Sign up and monitor local and international media to stay informed of developments. If a registration system exists in your area sign up to the alerts issued by local civil defence authorities.  
    • In the United Arab Emirates alerts are issued to your phone in both English and Arabic. You can also find official announcements made on X:
      • United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs
      • Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates 
      • National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, 
      • Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates
• Know what to do. Follow the advice of local authorities at all times. This includes any evacuation orders or shelter in place instructions. 
• Know where to go, including whether there are shelters in your location or nearby.
  • If there are designated shelters, go to one immediately
  • If there are no designated shelters, immediately move inside a building and ideally to a basement or interior room away from windows. Talk to your residence or hotel, to confirm the best place to shelter in place where you are, should that be necessary.
  • Shelter in place until you receive an all‑clear notification, or for at least one hour after the last attack or intercept is heard.
• Be prepared: 
  • Know where likely targets are and avoid these locations, relocating to a safer location if they’re close by. Likely targets include military bases, oil infrastructure, critical infrastructure like airports, power plants and sub-stations, telecommunication sites, de-salination plants and US Linked locations like: US diplomatic facilities (E.g. US Embassies, US Consulates) and identifiably US businesses.  
  • Register your current or upcoming travel here: Register, or check your registration details here: Login
  • Ensure you have enough bottled water, and supplies like torches and batteries. 
  • Make sure you have a sufficient supply of any medicines you may be taking.
  • Stay in contact with family and friends and keep them up to date on your location and plans.
  • Ensure your passport is up to date and is valid for more than six months before travelling. Information on how to renew your passport is available from the Department of Internal Affairs.   
  • Read our advice on Violence or conflict.  

Other things that New Zealanders travelling or living in the UAE should be aware of are:

• Crime— while crime rates are low and petty crime is rare, cybercrime and scams can occur.
• The UAE has strict cybersecurity laws. It is prohibited to photograph or share images of security incidents or government buildings, If you do so you may be arrested or detained.  
• Extreme weather—between June and September, temperatures can reach over 50 degrees Celsius. Be prepared for extremely high temperatures and sandstorms.
• Local laws—make sure that you get to know the local laws and customs, especially around alcohol, drugs, medicines and online activity.
• If you're travelling on a New Zealand passport showing 'X' in the gender field, you won't be able to enter or transit the UAE.

New Zealanders travelling or living in the United Arab Emirates should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air. You should also have a discussion with your Travel insurance provider to ensure that your policy covers disruptions or delays to your travel in or through the Middle East region related to the ongoing security situation.

See below for detailed travel advice.

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