FCDO. Photo: William Barton / Shutterstock The United Kingdom has decided to “temporarily” withdraw its embassy staff dependents in the United Arab Emirates “as a precautionary measure”, according to last night's (March 9, 2026) statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The official update to FCDO's travel advice quoted the "ongoing security situation" while mentioning "embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to operate as normal.”
The decision follows a series of explosions reported in the UAE following Iranian strikes on Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other cities. On Monday, the Emirati military confirmed that its air defences "successfully intercepted Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones".
At the start of the month, the FCDO urged British nationals in Israel, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE to register with them for updates and learn how to stay safe indoors and seek shelter by reading dedicated guides: "Remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities", the warning said. Currently, the FCDO warns against "all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates."