ABU DAHBI – On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) faced ongoing fallout from a reported visa suspension that had dominated headlines for a week. Dubbed the 2026 UAE visa ban, the policy pauses new tourist and work visa applications for citizens of nine countries, mainly in Africa and the Middle East. An internal immigration circular, leaked around 23 September, first set off the storm.
Today’s focus is on diplomatic denials, economic knock-ons, and renewed calls for an official statement from Abu Dhabi. There was no formal reversal. Statements from Bangladesh and Uganda, however, sparked debate online and within expatriate circles, highlighting a tougher immigration stance amid global security concerns.
The suspension applies to new applications from Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Sudan, and Uganda. Reports tied to the confidential notice say the pause is open-ended, not permanent, and subject to review against security, health, and migration checks.
Crucially, those with valid UAE visas for tourism, work, or residence are not affected. They can enter, renew, or extend as normal. Applications filed before the circular are also moving ahead. UAE immigration advisers have stressed these points to prevent panic. The absence of a clear government statement, however, has kept speculation alive.
UAE Visa Confusion
Diplomatic pushback shaped today’s narrative. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the UAE, Tareq Ahmed, called the ban reports fake news in comments to local media, blaming an unverified visa site for the claims. The Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi warned citizens against social media rumours and said it had received no official notice from UAE authorities.
Uganda’s envoy, Abdalla Hassan AlShamsi, also rejected talk of a blanket travel stop. He said only long-term visas face limits from January 2026, while short visits remain possible under closer checks. These responses, widely shared on X, point to a pattern. A circular likely exists, but interpretations differ, and embassies are seeking clarity from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, known as ICP.
Observers trace the issue to post-pandemic immigration changes that stress security and economic stability. Analysts cite risks of terrorism from conflict zones such as Yemen and Somalia, document fraud linked to weak civil records in countries like Libya and Afghanistan, and overstays tied to irregular migration from Cameroon and Sudan.
Health factors may weigh in too, with past outbreaks in parts of Africa recalling COVID-era measures. The inclusion of Lebanon and Bangladesh appears linked to regional tensions and labour migration concerns. The UAE lifted restrictions on Nigeria and Lebanon earlier in 2025 after talks, which suggests the current pause could also be part of wider negotiations.
The economic stakes are high for labour-exporting countries. The UAE hosts more than 200,000 Bangladeshi workers, many in construction and hospitality, who send home billions in remittances each year. A full stop could cut these flows by 20 to 30 percent, adding pressure after Bangladesh’s 2024 political unrest.
Drop in Airline Bookings
Uganda’s young workforce, keen on Gulf roles, faces fresh hurdles. For Sudan, already hit by conflict, a closed path to the UAE would strain a key remittance route. Inside the UAE, the policy could tighten supply in lower wage sectors. Recruiters may pivot to India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, where applications continue. Pakistan, confirmed as not affected today, maintains a pipeline of more than a million workers.
Tourism, a core driver worth an estimated 45 billion dollars in 2024, also faces headwinds. Dubai and Abu Dhabi attract group tours from Lebanon and family visitors from Bangladesh.
The ban could dampen demand. Early airline figures from Emirates and Etihad show a 5 percent drop in bookings on affected routes since 23 September. Some experts see a 10 to 15 percent annual hit if the issue drags on. Business travellers might route through Doha or Istanbul instead, which could complicate the UAE’s ambitions ahead of Expo 2030.
Public debate has intensified around fairness and bias. Expat forums feature reports of refusals for Somali and Yemeni nationals, including for medical visits. African diaspora groups call the policy discriminatory.
UAE Needs Clearer Criteria
On X, the hashtag #UAEVisaBan trended for part of the day. Users in Dhaka and Kampala shared embassy notices and pushed for exemptions. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, urged the UAE to publish clear criteria for lifting the pause, saying it harms vulnerable migrants.
Attention now turns to the week ahead. The ICP is said to be meeting envoys from the nine countries to discuss a review system. A tiered approach is possible, with options for vetted applicants, clean records, or bilateral labour deals.
Travellers are urged to use only official ICP channels and the UAEICP app for status updates. Strong documents, such as bank statements and job letters, may help address fraud flags. Some are considering e-visas via authorized agents. Applicants from Pakistan and India, currently outside the scope, should still watch for changes, since previous pauses have widened.
The story blends security policy with diplomatic bargaining. There was no sweeping update today. Even so, rejections of the claims by Bangladesh and Uganda hint at a path to resolution. In a region where policy can shift fast, a restriction today could ease tomorrow. Many expatriates are waiting for Abu Dhabi’s next step, hoping for rules that protect security while keeping the UAE open to the people who help power its economy.
