Mukalla

Passport validity requirements 

To enter Yemen, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.  

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You must have a visa to enter Yemen.  

Applying for a visa 

Apply for a visa through the Yemeni Embassy in the UK.   

Vaccine requirements  

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Yemen guide.   

Registering with the authorities 

If you visit Yemen for more than 14 days, you must register your passport with the Yemen immigration authorities after you arrive.  

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Yemen. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Taking money into and out of Yemen 

Import and export of local currency is illegal. There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currencies, but you must declare amounts higher than 3,000 US dollars. Export of foreign currencies must not exceed the amount imported. 

There are not many ATMs outside of Sana’a. US dollars in cash is the most easily convertible currency. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Yemen. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Taking money into and out of Yemen 

Import and export of local currency is illegal. There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currencies, but you must declare amounts higher than 3,000 US dollars. Export of foreign currencies must not exceed the amount imported. 

There are not many ATMs outside of Sana’a. US dollars in cash is the most easily convertible currency. 

Emergency services in Yemen  

As a result of the conflict, emergency services in Yemen have severely limited capacity and are highly unreliable. 

Ambulance: 191 

Fire: 191 

Police: 199 or 194 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:  

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers in Yemen  
• dealing with a death abroad  
• being arrested or imprisoned in Yemen  
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

FCDO advises against all travel to Yemen 

FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Yemen due to the unpredictable security conditions.

If you’re in Yemen, you should leave immediately.  

See Safety and security for more information. 

UK government support 

Support for British people is severely limited in Yemen. British Embassy services in Sana’a are suspended, and all diplomatic and consular staff have been withdrawn. 

The UK government cannot help British nationals leaving Yemen. There are no evacuation procedures in place. 

FCDO cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to any potential departure point. The UK government’s ability to help with onward travel is severely limited and you’ll be expected to cover the cost of visas, accommodation, insurance and onward travel yourself. 

If you choose to remain in Yemen, you should minimise movement around the country and within cities and towns, monitor developments in the local security situation and follow other precautions in this travel advice. 

If you’re a British national in Yemen and need help from the UK government, you can call FCDO on 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). 

Regional tensions

The US and Iran announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on 17 June in relation to the conflict in the Middle East, however the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. Since 8 July there have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran in a number of locations across the region against US military and civilian infrastructure. There is a risk of more attacks and unforeseen escalation in the region. Before the ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including organisations, businesses, facilities, and institutions. 

Since July 2026, the Houthis have launched air strikes against Saudi territory and Saudi shipping vessels in the Red Sea. There is an ongoing risk of further military escalation, including in Yemen and the Red Sea, which could occur at short notice.

British nationals currently in the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions, and should:

• 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”
• sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
• follow advice from the local authorities
• monitor local and international media for the latest information, including updates relating to airports and airspace which could close at short notice
• stay away from areas around security or military facilities
• keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date
• if 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. The greatest risk is from falling debris caused by intercepts, and you are safest inside a secure structure. Do not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel against FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice 

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook
• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences  

Yemen is an Islamic country with Islamic law. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. 

Ramadan  

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country and you should check this before you travel. During this time, do not:  

• eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car  
• play loud music or dance  
• swear in public  

Get more advice when you arrive from your guide, hotel or business contacts.  

You should also: 

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants  
• be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens  
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time  
• be aware that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening 
• be patient and show tolerance 

Dress code  

Men and women must wear loose-fitting clothing that covers down to the elbow and reaches below the knees. You should also:  

• avoid tight-fitting clothing   
• avoid clothes with profane slogans or images  
• not wear clothing with symbols or slogans that could be viewed as political as this could lead to arrest 

Alcohol laws

Do not drink alcohol in public.  

Using cameras in secure areas 

Taking pictures in or around military sites is likely to result in arrest and arbitrary detention. British consular services will not be able to offer support in this situation. 

Do not take pictures of people without their consent. 

LGBT+ travellers 

Consensual same-sex relations are illegal in Yemen, with penalties including fines, corporal punishment, imprisonment and the death penalty.    

In January and February 2024, criminal courts in northern Yemen reportedly sentenced 20 individuals to death for homosexuality.  A further 26 were sentenced to flogging and prison terms of between 6 months and 10 years on charges of ‘spreading immorality’ and ‘immoral acts’. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Antiquities 

You must get permission from the General Authority for Antiquities before exporting or removing antiques from Yemen. It’s illegal to remove or sell Yemeni antiques without permission.