Britons living in the United Arab Emirates have been warned not to drink alcohol without a proper licence because they could wind up in jail.

The advice comes from the British Embassy just weeks after the arrest of a mum who drank wine on a flight from London to Dubai and rowed with an immigration officer.

Without a licence, drinking alcohol is illegal in the conservative Islamic state and a person can be charged if traces are found in their blood, even if it was consumed on a flight or in a different country.

The embassy warned in a Facebook post: "Take care to respect local customs & behave respectfully when consuming alcohol."

Dr Ellie Holman was travelling with her daughter when she was arrested (
Image:
Facebook)

Alcohol licences cannot be obtained by tourists, who can drink in licensed venues but risk arrest if they are drunk in public.

Dr Ellie Holman, a dual Swedish and Iranian national who lives in Sevenoaks, Kent, spent three days in custody after her arrest at Dubai's airport earlier this summer.

She flew to the Arab kingdom with her four-year-old daughter and was detained after rowing with an immigration officer who told her she would be denied entry because her visa wasn't valid.

Dr Holman, a dentist and aesthetics specialist, recorded mobile phone footage of the officer, who asked her if she had been drinking, and allegedly insulted him.

Brits living in Dubai need an licence to drink alcohol (
Image:
iStockphoto)
The British Embassy posted a warning for expats on Facebook

She said a blood test taken later showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.04 per cent.

She was charged with consuming alcohol and insulting the officer, and had her passport confiscated.

The 44-year-old had to remain in Dubai for more than a month as the criminal case was pending, but her case was dropped and she returned home to her family in the UK after her arrest became international news.

The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is said to have personally intervened.

Britain's embassy posted the alcohol advice for British expats in Dubai as part of its "Consular Thursday" series. The same advice was posted in May 2017.

The criminal case against Dr Holman was eventually dropped (
Image:
Internet Unknown)

Every week it posts advice on a specific topic. Last month, consular staff wrote about relationships outside marriage, travel insurance and visas.

The latest post read: "If you hold a residence permit it is illegal to purchase or consume alcohol without a liquor licence. Carry it with you at all times, NB a licence is only valid in the Emirate that issued it.

"Sharjah Emirate is dry & drinking alcohol is illegal.

"If caught carrying or drinking alcohol without a licence or with alcohol in your blood you can be arrested. It is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public-including when transiting through the UAE.

"It can result in custodial sentences &/or fine (other offences committed while drunk will be heard separately).

"Take care to respect local customs & behave respectfully when consuming alcohol.

Brits who drink alcohol on a flight to the UAE risk being arrested (
Image:
iStockphoto)

"There is zero tolerance for drink driving in the UAE. You can be arrested as a passenger in a car driven by someone with alcohol in their blood.

"Only non-Muslims can obtain a licence. Tourists are unable to get a licence."

The reminder doesn't offer any advice for British tourists who may have a drink on a long-haul flight to the UAE.

Many holidaymakers may be unaware that they could be charged if alcohol is found in their blood, even if the alcohol was consumed in the UK or on a plane.

On its travel advice website for the UAE, the Foreign Office warns: "Non-Muslim residents can get a liquor licence to drink alcohol at home and in licensed venues.

"These licences are valid only in the Emirate that issued the licence. Residents must also get a permit to be able to drink in licensed venues.

"Liquor licences are not available to non-residents, but it is possible for tourists and visitors to buy and drink alcohol in licensed venues, such as hotels, restaurants and clubs.

"However, you should be aware that it is a punishable offence under UAE law to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in public.

"British nationals have been arrested and charged under this law, often in cases where they have come to the attention of the police for a related offence or matter, such as disorderly or offensive behaviour.

"Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office told Mirror Online: "There has been no change in our advice to British nationals on consuming alcohol in the United Arab Emirates. Our Travel Advice for the UAE includes a section on alcohol, and we would advise visitors and residents to read it before travelling to the UAE."

The legal drinking age in all emirates except Abu Dhabi and Sharjah is 21.

It's 18 in Abu Dhabi, but hotels are banned from selling alcohol to those under 21.

Drinking alcohol is illegal in Sharjah.