United Arab Emirates Visa and Travel News
Dubai has announced a new service that will allow travelers to apply for tourist visas through its official Visit Dubai website. Expected to launch in November 2026, the service aims to simplify travel formalities by bringing visa applications and tourism services together on a single platform.
Dubai’s General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) has launched “Click and Travel,” a new system that allows immigration officers to process entry and departure formalities directly with passengers using connected mobile devices and biometric verification. Checks can be completed in about 12 to 15 seconds.
The UAE is expanding its visa-on-arrival program to nationals of six countries. The measure applies to travelers from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa, provided they hold a valid residence permit issued by certain countries recognized by Emirati authorities.
From July through December 2026, international travelers flying to or transiting through Abu Dhabi on an Etihad-operated flight will be eligible for complimentary medical insurance. A similar move could also be in the works in Dubai, where Emirates is reportedly considering its own passenger insurance initiative.
The United Arab Emirates has announced new precautionary measures for travelers coming from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. Starting June 6, 2026, the issuance of new visas will be suspended for nationals of the three countries, and entry into the UAE will be restricted for travelers arriving from those countries.
Because of the air travel disruptions caused by the current crisis in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates has announced exceptional measures for travelers who were unable to leave the country as scheduled. Authorities have decided to waive overstay penalties for those affected by these circumstances, while also providing administrative assistance for situations impacted by flight cancellations or rescheduling.
