Apply UK Visa for UAE Residents from Dubai in 2025
Planning to visit the UK as a UAE resident? Whether you’re heading there for tourism, business, or to visit family, applying for a UK visa is a simple process, but it requires preparation.
Depending on the length of your stay and the purpose of your visit, you’ll need to choose the appropriate visa type, which can range from a 6-month visa to a 10-year multiple entry visa. The costs for these visas range from AED 1,600 to AED 7,500, depending on the duration and number of entries.
In general, it takes around three weeks for the visa application to be processed after your appointment. To qualify, you’ll need to show sufficient funds—anywhere between £1,800 to £3,600 per month—to cover your stay in the UK, depending on your planned activities.
In this guide, I will walk you through the UK visa application process from Dubai, including the required documents, costs, and helpful tips for a smooth application experience.
Required Documents for UK Visa Application for UAE Residents
Here’s a concise list of the required documents for the UK visa application:
Mandatory Documents
Valid Passport
Six-Month Bank Statement
Recommended Additional Documents
Visa Application Form
Two Passport-Sized Photographs
Pay Slips
Cover Letter
Flight Ticket
Hotel Booking
Travel Itinerary
Old Passport (optional, but beneficial)
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Dubai: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now I will guide you through the entire process step by step, ensuring that you have all the information you need to make your application successful.
First, we will start with the online application. Open your web browser and search for “VFS UK visa.” You’ll find two VFS Global pages; you can select either.
Once you’re on the VFS Global page, look for the “Apply for a visa” option and click on “Start Now.”
After clicking “Start Now,” you’ll arrive at the “How to apply” section. This page outlines all the steps involved in applying, booking appointments, and tracking your application.
Under “Ready to apply,” click on “Apply for a UK visa” to navigate to the official UK visa application website.
Fill Out the Application Form
Nationality: You’ll be prompted to select your nationality as shown on your passport. For instance, select India if that’s your nationality.
Purpose of Visit: Next, specify your reason for traveling to the UK. For example, if you’re visiting for tourism, select that option.
Traveling with Family: The application will then ask if you’re traveling with a partner or family member. Select Yes or No accordingly, and click Continue.
Now you’ll see options for the type of visa you want to apply for. A 6-month visitor visa typically costs £115 (approximately 12,500 AED). If you’re considering a longer duration, the fees are as follows:
2-year visa: £432
5-year visa: £771
10-year visa: £963
For most travelers, I recommend the 6-month visa for ease and quicker approval.
After clicking Apply, select English as your language, and then click Next.
Choose the country where you’ll provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photo). Since you are applying from Dubai, select United Arab Emirates.
Registering Your Email and Phone Number
Email Registration: Enter a valid email address—this is crucial as all communication regarding your application will be sent here. Create a password and click Save and Continue.
Confirm Email Ownership: Click Yes to confirm that this email belongs to you. If you don’t have another email address, select No and proceed.
Phone Number: Enter your contact number and confirm if you are using this number in the UK or abroad. Select the second option, then indicate that this is your mobile number.
Personal Information
Name: Enter your full name as it appears on your passport. If your passport has just one name, enter that. For example, if your name is Ankush Chetalband, write it in the given name section.
Additional Names: If you have no other names, select No and click Save and Continue.
Gender and Marital Status: Indicate your gender and whether you are married or unmarried, followed by your residential address.
Duration of Residence: Indicate how long you’ve lived at your current address and whether it’s rented or owned.
Passport Details
Fill in your passport number, the issuing authority, the place of issue, the issue date, and the expiry date. Then click Save and Continue.
Finally, provide your ID card as a form of identification, indicating the city where it was issued. If your ID card doesn’t have an issuing date, you can leave that field blank and continue.
Enter your city and date of birth. Once done, click on Save and Continue.
If you hold any other nationality, indicate that here. If not, select No, and then click on Save and Continue.
You’ll now need to specify your employment status. Select Employed if you work for a company, Business if you own one, or Student if you’re studying. After making your selection, click on Save and Continue.
Employer Details: Here, you will need to provide your employer’s details, including:
Company Name
Company Address
Company Phone Number
Duration of employment
Once this information is entered, click on Save and Continue.
This section requires a brief overview of your job role. Include your position, monthly salary, and a brief description of your responsibilities. For example, if you are a teacher or a banker, specify your role and any relevant details. After you finish, click on Save and Continue.
The form will ask if you have additional sources of income or savings. If you do, select Yes; otherwise, select No and click on Save and Continue.
This is an important section that can affect your visa approval. You need to indicate the total amount you plan to spend during your stay, which should include flights, accommodation, and daily expenses.
For instance, if you plan to spend 75,000 AED over ten days, ensure you justify this amount reasonably. If your salary is less than 100,000 AED, it’s advisable to indicate an estimated spending amount above 100,000 AED to strengthen your application.
Describe your monthly expenses and whether you live with family or independently. Since my family also contributes financially, I’ll mention that. Once complete, click on Save and Continue.
Indicate who is financing your trip. If your employer, company, or parents are covering your expenses, select Yes; otherwise, select No. Click Save and Continue.
Specify your travel dates. For example, if you plan to visit for 10 days in October, mention that.
Select English for your preferred spoken language.
State your reason for traveling to the UK. For tourism purposes, select Tourism and click Save and Continue.
Provide a basic itinerary for your trip, such as arriving in London, checking into your hotel, and sightseeing. Aim for a brief description—around 500 words—and then click Save and Continue.
If you have anyone who is financially dependent on you, select Yes and provide their details. If not, select No and click Save and Continue.
Fill in your parents’ names, dates of birth, and nationalities. Click Save and Continue after entering each parent’s information.
If you have any family members living in the UK, select Yes; otherwise, select No and continue.
Indicate if you are traveling with an organized group or with family and friends. Select Yes if applicable; otherwise, select No.
If you have arranged accommodation in the UK, such as a hotel or staying with someone, select Yes and provide the details. If you haven’t arranged accommodation, select No.
Indicate if you have previously traveled to the UK. If you haven’t, select No.
If you have visited countries like Australia or any European countries, indicate that by selecting Yes and providing the necessary details. If you haven’t traveled, select No.
You will be asked whether you have ever been refused entry or deported from the UK or any other country. If you have not faced such issues, select No.
The form will ask if you have ever breached UK immigration laws. For this section, it’s advisable to select No to all character-based questions.
Think carefully about your responses and review everything before clicking. Incorrect information can have serious repercussions, both for your application and personal life. Therefore, it’s advisable to select “No” on any questionable prompts.
If you do choose “Yes,” ensure you save and continue afterward. For all character-based questions, select “No” and save your progress.
Next, you’ll encounter the employment history section. If you have served in the army, air force, media, security organizations, or judiciary roles, please select the appropriate options. Otherwise, click “No” and save your progress. If additional information is necessary, provide it here; otherwise, save and continue.
After completing the questions, review your entries. You have the option to edit any part of the form, so please double-check your responses before moving on.
Now, let’s discuss the required documents. The UK visa application requires only two mandatory documents: your valid passport and a six-month bank statement. You can attach these documents in the subsequent sections or bring them to the VFS appointment. However, I recommend also having the following documents on hand:
Visa application form
Valid passport
Two passport-sized photographs
Six months of bank statements
Pay slips
Cover letter
Flight ticket
Hotel booking
Travel itinerary
If you have an old passport from previous travels, bring that as well. While it’s not mandatory, it can strengthen your application. If you’re missing any documents or need assistance, feel free to comment below or reach out on Instagram for help.
Next are the visitor conditions. Please take note of the basic rules. Engaging in unauthorized work or activities can result in removal from the country and a potential ban. After reviewing this information, click “Save” and continue.
Now, you’ll reach the declaration section. Here, you simply confirm that you are 18 or older. Select the appropriate option and acknowledge your age. After that, review your answers, then click “Save” and continue.
Following this, you’ll arrive at the visa options page. Select the six-month visa, as indicated earlier in your application.
Next, you will see the payment options. The total fee is 12,655, and your biometric appointment will be scheduled within 15 days. Click to proceed with payment. You’ll be directed to the payment gateway, where you can pay using a debit or credit card.
I recommend against using GPay; opt for a debit or credit card instead. After completing your payment, you will receive a reference number. Make sure to note this down, as you’ll need it for the next steps.
Once you have the reference number, return to the VFS portal for your UK visa application. Select your country—India, or whichever country you are applying from—and click on “Find a Center.” For example, if you’re in Delhi, select that location. After doing so, you’ll see the option to book an appointment; click “Book Now.”
Next, create an account by entering your reference number, which will also be emailed to you. Provide your email address to proceed with the biometric application process. Afterward, you can submit all required documents for biometric verification.
Yes, UAE residents can apply for a UK visa. The application process is straightforward and involves selecting the appropriate visa type based on the purpose of the visit, such as tourism, business, or family visits.
2. How much is the UK visa fee in the UAE?
The UK visa fees in the UAE vary depending on the type and duration of the visa. For example, a 6-month visitor visa typically costs around AED 1,600, while longer visas can range from AED 1,600 to AED 7,500.
3. What documents are required for a UK visit visa from the UAE?
The required documents for a UK visit visa include:
Valid passport
Six-month bank statement
Visa application form
Two passport-sized photographs
Pay slips
Cover letter
Flight ticket
Hotel booking
Travel itinerary
Old passport (optional, but recommended)
4. How long does a UK visa take in the UAE?
Typically, it takes around three weeks for a UK visa application to be processed after the appointment at the visa application center.
5. How much bank balance is required for a UK visa?
To qualify for a UK visa, applicants generally need to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover their stay. This usually ranges from £1,800 to £3,600 per month, depending on the planned activities during the visit.
6. Do UAE residents need a TB test for a UK visa?
No, if you have been legally residing in the UAE for more than six months, you do not need to undergo a Tuberculosis (TB) test to apply for a UK visa.
I'm Haris Ali. I am resident of United Arab Emirates. I've been working with identification documents in UAE for over 8 years. I've gained valuable experience from working with various government authorities in the region, especially with documents like the Emirates ID.
In my free time, I enjoy playing cricket and exploring new destinations around the world.
