The United Arab Emirates in a latest development has halted the issuance of tourist and work visas temporarily for citizens of nine countries spanning Africa and Asia reportedly.
So far, no official confirmation has been publicly released by the country.
But, an internal immigration circular signals a significant policy shift, one with far-reaching economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian consequences.
This latest 2026 UAE visa ban reflects the country’s evolving concerns over security, health, and migration governance.
Which Countries Are Affected By The UAE Visa Ban?
The UAE has imposed a temporary suspension on new visa applications for few countries according to a confidential immigration circular accessed by multiple outlets.
This list includes the following countries.
- Afghanistan
- Libya
- Yemen
- Somalia
- Lebanon
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Sudan
- Uganda
It appears that the citizens of these nine nations are barred from applying for both tourist visas and work permits in the UAE as of 2026.
This policy will remain effective until further notice, with no announced timeline for reassessment or reversal.
Please note here that this is a visa ban, not a comprehensive travel ban.
This simply means that the nationals of the listed countries who already hold valid UAE visas are not affected with this ban and they can continue to reside or work without any issue in the UAE legally.
Why Would This Happen?
So far, the UAE government has not released an official explanation. But, analysts and sources have pointed to several factors behind this decision.
Security Concerns
National security is the most cited rationale in unofficial reports as the UAE has previously enacted similar measures in response to concerns regarding the document fraud, Terror-related risks, Unlawful migration,
Identity theft and forged paperwork.
This suspension can be perceived as a preventive measure to shield the country from potential risks associated with fraudulent or unverified entries.
Diplomatic and Geopolitical Tensions
There is a tense or complex bilateral relations between the UAE and some of the affected nations and it may also be influencing the visa policy.
If we look into the past instances, immigration policies are sometimes used to manage or reflect broader diplomatic positions.
Public Health and Pandemic Protocols
After the pandemic, the residual COVID-19 protocols appear to remain part of the UAE’s visa review process.
The pandemic appears to have exposed vulnerabilities in cross-border health management.
The analysts have shown concerns over incomplete health screening and underequipped healthcare systems in some countries.
There is always a risk of virus variants from less monitored regions as health considerations may continue to shape immigration policy well into the post-pandemic era.
