British Indian Ocean TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates: Visa-free

British Indian Ocean TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates

Do British Indian Ocean Territory passport holders need a visa for United Arab Emirates?

Visa-free

No. British Indian Ocean Territory passport holders do not need a visa to visit United Arab Emirates for tourism for stays of up to 3 months within any 180-day period.

No visa is required for a short tourist stay. Travel on a valid passport alone.

Source: en.wikipedia.org (checked September 12, 2026).

RequirementVisa-free

Maximum stay3 months within any 180-day period

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelNone, travel on your passport

Data as of2026-10-14

Visa-free access to United Arab Emirates138 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? United Arab Emirates passport holders visiting British Indian Ocean Territory: Visa required.

Other visa-free destinations for British Indian Ocean Territory passport holders

See all British Indian Ocean Territory destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do British Indian Ocean Territory passport holders need a visa for United Arab Emirates?

No. British Indian Ocean Territory passport holders do not need a visa to visit United Arab Emirates for tourism for stays of up to 3 months within any 180-day period.

How long can British Indian Ocean Territory citizens stay in United Arab Emirates without a visa?

Up to 3 months within any 180-day period, for tourism, ordinary passport.

What currency is used in United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates dirham (AED).

What is the emergency number in United Arab Emirates?

112 / 997 / 998 / 999.

What time zone is United Arab Emirates in?

Dubai (UTC+4).

What is the nearest airport to Abu Dhabi?

Zayed International Airport (AUH), about 28 km away.

How many countries can enter United Arab Emirates without a visa?

138 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter United Arab Emirates visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About British Indian Ocean Territory

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is a British Overseas Territory situated in the Indian Ocean. The territory comprises the seven atolls of the Chagos Archipelago with over 1,000 individual islands, many very small, amounting to a total land area of 60 square kilometres. The largest and most southerly island is Diego Garcia, 27 square kilometres, the site of a Joint Military Facility of the United Kingdom and the United States. Official administration is remote from London, though the local capital is often regarded as being on Diego Garcia.

RegionEastern Africa

Area60 km²

CurrencyUnited States dollar (1 USD ≈ 1.00 USD)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+246

Drives on theright

Climate in British Indian Ocean Territory

Warmest April, coolest August, driest October, sunniest October. Best time to visit: April, May, June, August, September, October, November.

Monthly climate normals for British Indian Ocean Territory, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	27.9°C	26.2°C	404mm	268h
February	28.3°C	26.9°C	315mm	294h
March	28.5°C	26.6°C	257mm	309h
April	28.9°C	27.3°C	121mm	316h
May	28.5°C	26.8°C	211mm	315h
June	28.1°C	26.5°C	211mm	307h
July	27.6°C	26.3°C	251mm	255h
August	26.8°C	25.8°C	88mm	315h
September	27°C	25.8°C	49mm	347h
October	28°C	26.8°C	43mm	366h
November	28.1°C	26.4°C	238mm	305h
December	27.7°C	25.8°C	365mm	296h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Islands, is centrally located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives, about halfway between Madagascar and Indonesia. The main island, Diego Garcia, is a military facility off limits to anyone not on official duty, but some of the uninhabited outer islands can be visited by independent yachters with advance permission.

Full source list on About.

About United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), also known simply as the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, situated at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a federal semi-constitutional monarchy made up of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi serving as its national capital. The UAE borders Oman to the east and northeast, and Saudi Arabia to the south and southwest. It shares maritime borders with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran in the Persian Gulf, and with Oman in the Gulf of Oman. In 2024, the UAE had an estimated population of over 11 million. Dubai is the country's largest city. Islam is the state religion. Arabic is the official language while English remains the most spoken language and the language of business.

CapitalAbu Dhabi

RegionWestern Asia

Population11.5M

Area83,600 km²

CurrencyUnited Arab Emirates dirham (1 USD ≈ 3.67 AED)

LanguagesArabic

Calling code+971

Drives on theright

TimezoneDubai (UTC+4)

Nearest airportZayed International Airport (AUH), 28 km

Emergency number112 / 997 / 998 / 999

UNESCO sites3

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$50,274 (2024)

Tourist arrivals8.1M (2020)

Climate in Abu Dhabi

Warmest July, coolest January, driest May, sunniest May. Best time to visit: November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Abu Dhabi, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	22.8°C	16.9°C	69mm	297h
February	24.2°C	17.6°C	3mm	298h
March	27.7°C	19.9°C	7mm	317h
April	34°C	24.6°C	3mm	303h
May	36.6°C	27.6°C	0mm	374h
June	37.8°C	30.4°C	0mm	370h
July	40.8°C	32.3°C	0mm	351h
August	38.9°C	32.6°C	0mm	336h
September	39.2°C	28.9°C	0mm	337h
October	34.1°C	26.5°C	0mm	337h
November	30°C	23.2°C	0mm	300h
December	25.4°C	19.8°C	0mm	308h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The United Arab Emirates or simply the Emirates is a country rich in history and culture at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. Boasting attractions ranging from the glittering and cosmopolitan cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to the vast and unforgiving desert landscapes of the Empty Quarter, it makes an easy starting point for travels in the Middle East.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas)
Jabal Al Fayah
Wadi Wurayah

Full source list on About.