Urgent Advice for British Nationals in Middle Eastern Countries

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have issued the following advice for British Nationals who may be affected by events Iran and the Middle East.

Foreign Travel Advice

British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and UAE can register their presence to receive direct updates from the FCDO on the situation in the Middle East.

You should continue to follow FCDO travel advice for the country you are in and the advice of the local authorities.

British nationals should register their presence with the FCDO at the links here:

• Register your presence in Bahrain

• Register your presence in Kuwait

• Register your presence in Israel

• Register your presence in Palestine

• Register your presence in Qatar

• Register your presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

British nationals in Iran should follow FCDO advice here and keep an eye on the page here for updates: Travel advice for Iran

Flights

The CAA (the independent UK aviation regulator) has published the latest guidance for affected passengers on their options and rights: https://www.caa.co.uk/newsroom/news/middle-east-passenger-travel-advice-1-march-2026/

Keep an eye on the CAA Newsroom for updates: https://www.caa.co.uk/newsroom/news/ 

Where flights have been cancelled, you should contact your airline in the first instance to seek alternatives or compensation. Most airlines have published dedicated pages:

BA - https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/travel-news/ Virgin Atlantic - https://www.virginatlantic.com/travel-news/middle-east-airspace Wizz Air - https://www.wizzair.com/en-gb/latest-travel-information Qatar Airways - https://www.qatarairways.com/en-gb/travel-alerts.html Emirates - https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/help/travel-updates/#6483 Etihad - https://www.etihad.com/en-gb/manage/flight-status#travelupdates flydubai - https://www.flydubai.com/en/help/operational-updates/ 

If airlines don’t resolve matters to your satisfaction, they should contact the CAA for advice - https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public/resolving-travel-problems/how-the-caa-can-help/ 

If you are concerned about whether or not to travel, please refer to the Foreign Office guidance - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice 

Advice for constituents in the affected region

In the first instance, you should follow the below practical advice as issued by the Home Secretary on 2 March 2026:

1. Sign up to FCDO travel advice email alerts for the relevant country.  British nationals requiring consular support should call the 24/7 phone line on +44 207 008 5000.

2. Those in the region should use the ‘Register your presence’ service if they are in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and UAE.  Registration helps the FCDO understand individuals and nationals are in the region, what tailored support may be required for vulnerable individuals, and ensure that those who wish to can receive communications and updates.

3. Individuals must follow advice from the local authorities and sign up to receive information and alerts, including where it is recommended to shelter in place.  If you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter.  An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection.

4. Read 'If you're affected by a crisis abroad - gov.uk'.  This includes guidance on how to prepare for a crisis with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and ‘what to do in a crisis’.  You can also read the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority's guidance across numerous emergencies.

The FCDO will be working tirelessly to ensure British nationals can return home swiftly and safely.