United Arab Emirates

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on the United Arab Emirates for information on U.S. – UAE bilateral relations.

Transportation

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions:  While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  The information below concerning the UAE is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

The police emergency number and ambulance number is 999.  Mobile phones are widely used throughout the UAE, so passers-by will usually request emergency police and medical services quickly if they see that you need help.  Response time by emergency services is adequate, however, medical personnel emphasize transport of the injured to the hospital rather than treatment on site.

Road Conditions and Hazards:  Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in the UAE.  According to the World Health Organization, the UAE has the highest rate of road fatalities in the Middle East and one of the highest rates in the world.  Drivers often drive at high speeds.  Unsafe driving practices are common, especially on inter-city highways.  On highways, unmarked speed bumps and drifting sand create additional hazards.  Pedestrians should also use great care on the roads of the UAE – over 25 percent of road fatalities are pedestrians.

Local Laws and Practices:  Country-wide traffic laws impose stringent penalties for certain violations, particularly driving under the influence of alcohol.  In the UAE, there is zero tolerance for driving after consumption of alcohol.  Persons arrested for drinking and driving are often jailed for many days as they await a court hearing.  Penalties may include hefty jail sentences, fines, and, for Muslims (even those holding U.S. citizenship), lashings.  Persons involved in an accident in which another party is injured automatically go to jail until the injured person is released from the hospital.  Should a person die in a traffic accident, the driver of the other vehicle is liable for payment of compensation for the death (known as "dhiyya"), usually the equivalent of 55,000 U.S. dollars.  Even relatively minor accidents may result in lengthy proceedings, during which both drivers may be prohibited from leaving the country.

In order to drive, UAE residents must obtain a UAE driver's license.  Foreign driver's licenses are not recognized for residents of the UAE, however, U.S. citizen visitors who are not UAE residents can drive using a valid driver’s license issued by his or her state.  An international driver’s license may be required in some emirates.  The UAE recognizes driver's licenses issued by other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states only if the bearer is driving a vehicle registered to the same GCC state.  Under no circumstances should anyone drive without a valid license.

There is no Good Samaritan law in the UAE.  If you see an accident with injuries, call 999 but exercise caution in trying to directly assist unless you are medically trained.  Generally under UAE law, only individuals currently certified may provide CPR.

If you are in an accident, UAE law mandates that you remain at the scene until authorities arrive.  The use of front seat belts is mandatory in the UAE.  Driving is on the right side of the road.  Speed limits are posted.  Making a right turn on a red light is not permitted unless there is a special lane to do so with a yield sign.  Parking is not allowed where the curb is painted black and yellow.  Digital cameras are used extensively on Emirati roads for registering traffic violations, including speeding.  Fines can be substantial.  Passengers with outstanding traffic fines may be detained at airport immigration.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the United Arab Emirates’ Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the United Arab Emirates’ air carrier operations.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

Terrorism: U.S. citizens in the United Arab Emirates should exercise a high level of security awareness, even though law enforcement units have effectively demonstrated the capacity to detect, deter, and prevent acts of terrorism in the UAE.  The Department of State remains concerned about the global threat of terrorism, including the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula.  Both historical and current information suggest that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al-Qaida, and affiliated organizations continue to plan attacks against Western targets; these attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassination, kidnapping, hijacking, and bombing.  U.S. citizens should maintain a low profile, vary routes and times for all required travel, and treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with caution.  In addition, U.S. citizens should avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects and report the presence of the objects to local authorities.  U.S. government personnel overseas have been advised to take the same precautions.  U.S. government facilities may temporarily close or suspend public services from time to time as necessary to review their security posture and ensure its adequacy.

Photography: Taking photographs of UAE military, sensitive civilian sites or foreign diplomatic missions – including the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General – may result in arrest, detention, and/or prosecution by local authorities.  In addition, engaging in mapping activities, especially mapping that includes the use of GPS equipment, without coordination with UAE authorities, may have the same consequences.

Boating: On several occasions in past years, small groups of expatriate recreational boaters were detained by the Iranian Coast Guard for alleged violation of Iranian territorial waters while fishing near the island of Abu Musa, approximately 20 miles from Dubai.  The UAE and Iran have had a long-standing dispute concerning jurisdiction of Abu Musa.  Fishing or sailing in these waters may result in seizure of vessels and detention of passengers and crew in Iran.  Obtaining consular assistance in Iran is difficult and can only be done through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which acts as a Protecting Power, providing limited U.S. consular services.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See State’s Traveler’s Checklist for useful travel tips.

Crime: Most travelers to the UAE are not affected by crime.  Violent crimes and crimes against property are rare.  The U.S. Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to take the same security precautions in the UAE that one would practice in the United States or any large city abroad.  

• Vehicle Break-Ins: Although vehicle break-ins are not common, U.S. citizens are encouraged to ensure that unattended vehicles are locked and that valuables are not left in plain sight.

Harassment and Assault: U.S. citizens, especially women, should take precaution of the possibility for verbal and physical harassment or sexual assault when alone, consuming alcohol, riding in a taxi cab or walking alone. Also, female travelers should be cognizant that unwitting actions may invite unwanted attention.  Taxi passengers should avoid sitting in the front seat of a taxicab and should be sensitive that "small talk" can be misinterpreted as over-friendliness or even a form of propositioning by some taxi drivers.  Please also see Codes of Behavior and Dress below.

Victims of harassment or assault are encouraged to report such incidents to the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the U.S. Consulate General in Dubai.  Please see Codes of Behavior and Dress below for additional information on rape and sexual relations outside marriage.  Also, see our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Pirated Goods: Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.  Not only are these goods illegal in the United States, purchasing them is a violation of local law.

Defamation:  Individuals have been arrested and criminally convicted for posting information on Twitter and YouTube that local authorities determined was disturbing to the order of the UAE.  Users of social media should be cautious about posting information that might be deemed to insult or challenge the local government.

Victims of Crime:  If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  

We can:

• replace a stolen passport.
• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• if destitute, provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in the United Arab Emirates is 999.