If you are thinking about a trip to the UAE or looking for work in places like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you should pay attention to this. The United Arab Emirates has made a sudden change. They have stopped giving out new tourist and work visas to people from nine countries for a while.
This is not a small thing. It could mess up plans for a lot of folks. I have been writing about travel and immigration in the Middle East for more than ten years. I will explain this in easy words, share some extra details, and tell you what I know. Let’s get into it.
What’s the Big News?
From what we hear from people inside immigration and some news stories, the UAE has put a hold on new visa requests for tourists and workers from these nine countries in Africa and Asia. This starts in 2026. It only affects new applications. If you already have a visa, you are fine. You can keep going to the UAE, staying there, or working without any problems.
This kind of thing has happened before. Back in 2020, when COVID-19 was bad, the UAE did something like this to keep people safe. The UAE has more than 8 million people from other countries living there. That is most of their population. They need these workers for jobs in building, hotels, and more. So, a change like this can cause big issues. For the latest official news, check the UAE government site. You can find it here: u.ae for visa updates.
Which Countries Are Affected?
The hold is on people from these places:
- Afghanistan
- Libya
- Yemen
- Somalia
- Lebanon
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Sudan
- Uganda
These countries have things like wars, tough money situations, or a lot of people moving to work in the Gulf. For example, Bangladesh sends more than 200,000 workers to the UAE every year. That is from reports by the International Labour Organization. If you are from one of these spots and want to apply, wait and watch for news.
Why Is This Happening? Expert Take on the Reasons
The UAE has not said anything official yet. That is odd, but it happens sometimes with these rules. From leaked papers and what experts say, here are the main reasons I see:
- Worries about Safety: They want to stop fake papers and people lying about who they are. The UAE spends a lot on new tech for borders, like scans of your face or fingers. This is like what other countries do when they get strict after big events.
- Problems Between Countries: Bad relations with some of these places might be part of it. Think about the fights in Yemen or Libya. That has led to rules like this before.
- Health Rules from the Past: COVID is mostly over, but they still check health closely. The UAE was fast to ask for vaccines back then, and this might be more of that.
- Fixing the Visa System: They are changing how visas work with more online tools. Like the app from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. This hold might give them time to make it better and safer.
From what I have seen in my work, these holds do not last forever. They often tie into bigger changes. For more details on how the UAE handles safety and people moving in, read this report from the Carnegie Endowment: UAE Security and Migration Policies.
How Will This Impact People and Economies?
This is more than just forms and papers. It affects real people and their lives. Here is what could happen:
- Jobs and Shortages: Places like building sites, shops, and homes in the UAE count on workers from Bangladesh or Sudan. Companies might not hire as fast, and work could slow down. The countries sending workers might have fewer jobs open.
- Money Sent Home: Workers send cash back to their families. That helps whole economies. Bangladesh gets about $22 billion a year from this, with much from the UAE. If the hold lasts, families and even countries could feel the pain.
- Travel and Tourism Issues: Airlines, hotels, and travel companies that deal with these countries might lose business. It is tough if you planned a fun trip to see the tall buildings in Dubai.
- Other Effects: Families might stay apart longer, and people going for school or business could have to change plans.
If you run a business in the UAE, the Ministry of Human Resources has help for this. Go to their site: MOHRE official page.
What’s Next? When Will It End?
The good part is that reports say this is not forever. But no one knows when it will stop. Looking at what happened in 2020, it might lift in a few months, maybe by the middle of 2026. When it does, you can apply the usual way through embassies or online.
For now, if this hits you, look at other options. Like getting visas for nearby places such as Saudi Arabia or Qatar. Talk to experts on immigration. For news on this kind of thing around the world, I like Reuters. Here is a story they did on UAE rules: Reuters on UAE visa changes.
Final Thoughts from an Expert
In my years of following stories about people living abroad in the UAE, I think this is about making their system stronger with tech and rules. It helps with safety, but it shows how hard it can be for workers from other places. If you want to go there for travel or work, keep checking news and be ready to adjust.
