The UK’s government has relaxed its travel advisories for some Middle Eastern countries, making it easier for holidaymakers to visit popular destinations such as Dubai.
The UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) has released new travel advice for many countries after the US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding in relation to the conflict in the Middle East.
The FCDO says it no longer advises against all but essential travel to the UAE. An advisory against all but essential travel can invalidate travel insurance so lifting the advice will make trips to the region simpler for many travellers.
The FCDO has also lifted “all but essential travel” advisories for Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, as well as advisories on the Eastern Province and to Riyadh Province in Saudi Arabia.
This comes weeks after the travel advice changed for Jordan, another popular country among tourists.
All travel to Iran, Syria and Yemen is still advised against.
The FCDO has released a statement for Middle Eastern countries amid the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran to end the war in the region.
It says that while the agreement is taking place, “the situation remains unpredictable and attacks could resume at short notice”.
If hostilities continue, it advises British nationals to read the “if you are affected by a crisis abroad” document, follow advice from local authorities and sign up to FCDO travel advice email alerts.
It also advises that if conflict resumes, British nationals should stay away from areas around security or military facilities, keep departure plans and travel documents up to date and stay indoors if they are advised to take shelter.
“Before the 8 April ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations in the Gulf associated with the US and Israel,” the FCDO added.
“This included US-linked organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions. Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.”
This advice is the same or similar across the FCDO travel advice pages of countries affected by the Middle East conflict.
Where the FCDO has removed all but essential travel warnings today
- UAE
- Bahrain
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Eastern Province and to Riyadh Province in Saudi Arabia (FCDO continues to advise against all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen, and all but essential travel to areas between 10km and 80km from the border with Yemen)
Countries where the FCDO still advises against all travel
Countries where some travel advisories are still in place (not all related to Iran-US war)
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Israel
- Saudi Arabia
Follow live: Iran-US war latest
