UAE Imposes 2026 Visa Ban on Nine African and European Countries
Quote from Lawyer on September 18, 2025, 10:38 amThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a visa ban effective in 2026, prohibiting citizens from nine African and European countries from applying for tourist and work visas. The affected nations include Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Cameroon, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Lebanon, and Bangladesh. According to an immigration circular, applications from these countries are temporarily suspended until further notice.
The notice states that nationals from these countries are currently restricted from applying for UAE tourist visas and work permits, with no new applications being processed. While the UAE government has not officially detailed the reasons for the ban, reports suggest it may be linked to security concerns, strained diplomatic relations, and health protocols initially implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar restrictions have previously been imposed, such as on Nigerian applicants, though official confirmations have often been inconsistent.
This visa ban significantly impacts expatriate communities and disrupts business and tourism ties between the UAE and the affected countries. The UAE serves as a vital source of employment for many citizens of these nations, with remittances playing a crucial role in supporting families back home. Workers from Bangladesh and African countries, in particular, have reported challenges in securing new contracts or renewing existing permits due to the restrictions.
Foreign nationals from the listed countries who are already residing legally in the UAE with valid visas are not affected by this ban. The policy specifically targets new visa applications and does not impact current residents with valid documentation.
It is important to distinguish this visa ban from a travel ban, which applies to individuals of any nationality for reasons such as overstaying, possessing forged documents, or having unresolved criminal cases in the UAE.
Once the ban is lifted, citizens of the affected countries will be permitted to reapply for UAE tourist visas and work permits through official channels, including online portals, embassies, or immigration offices. Until then, all other travelers seeking entry to the UAE must adhere to standard entry requirements, which include a valid passport, an approved UAE visa, a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of vaccination, and compliance with health and quarantine regulations.
The visa ban underscores the UAE's ongoing efforts to balance its immigration policies with national security and public health considerations, while its impact continues to ripple through affected communities and economies.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced a visa ban effective in 2026, prohibiting citizens from nine African and European countries from applying for tourist and work visas. The affected nations include Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Cameroon, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen, Lebanon, and Bangladesh. According to an immigration circular, applications from these countries are temporarily suspended until further notice.
The notice states that nationals from these countries are currently restricted from applying for UAE tourist visas and work permits, with no new applications being processed. While the UAE government has not officially detailed the reasons for the ban, reports suggest it may be linked to security concerns, strained diplomatic relations, and health protocols initially implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar restrictions have previously been imposed, such as on Nigerian applicants, though official confirmations have often been inconsistent.
This visa ban significantly impacts expatriate communities and disrupts business and tourism ties between the UAE and the affected countries. The UAE serves as a vital source of employment for many citizens of these nations, with remittances playing a crucial role in supporting families back home. Workers from Bangladesh and African countries, in particular, have reported challenges in securing new contracts or renewing existing permits due to the restrictions.
Foreign nationals from the listed countries who are already residing legally in the UAE with valid visas are not affected by this ban. The policy specifically targets new visa applications and does not impact current residents with valid documentation.
It is important to distinguish this visa ban from a travel ban, which applies to individuals of any nationality for reasons such as overstaying, possessing forged documents, or having unresolved criminal cases in the UAE.
Once the ban is lifted, citizens of the affected countries will be permitted to reapply for UAE tourist visas and work permits through official channels, including online portals, embassies, or immigration offices. Until then, all other travelers seeking entry to the UAE must adhere to standard entry requirements, which include a valid passport, an approved UAE visa, a negative COVID-19 test result, proof of vaccination, and compliance with health and quarantine regulations.
The visa ban underscores the UAE's ongoing efforts to balance its immigration policies with national security and public health considerations, while its impact continues to ripple through affected communities and economies.