UK citizens receive a free visa-on-arrival stamp when entering the UAE, with no advance application needed — one of the more accessible entry arrangements available, and one that can be extended for travellers wanting to stay longer.
What UK citizens actually get
Some sources describe this as a 30-day visa-on-arrival, extendable for a further period, while the broader visa-free tier some sources group the UK into runs up to 90 days — confirm the current specific duration for UK passports directly given some variation in how this is described across sources, and because entry terms can be refined over time.
Practical requirements
A passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival, proof of onward travel, and (as covered elsewhere in this series) mandatory travel health insurance covering the full stay if applying for any visit visa category beyond the free arrival stamp.
For longer or more frequent UK visitors
UK passport holders can also apply for the UAE's 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa, covered in more depth in this site's dedicated guide, worth considering for anyone visiting the UAE regularly rather than reapplying for entry on every trip.