uae visa ban 2026: complete guide on 9 restricted countries & updates
10-Sep-2025

UAE Visa Ban on 9 Countries in 2026

0 0

The UAE visa is the official document needed for any foreign national visiting the country to gain entry at immigration points. UAE tourist visas and "UAE work visas" can be issued by foreign citizens. In December 2020, the UAE government temporarily changed some countries' visa policies. The "UAE banned visa'' entry for some countries. The UAE government imposed these restrictions due to specific reasons. The immigration circular passed by the UAE government banned applicants from 9 nations from obtaining UAE visas.

READ ALSO: 6-MONTH UAE TEMPORARY VISA FOR EX PAT JOB SEEKERS

UAE Visa Ban Countries List

The UAE visa ban countries can not apply for UAE tourist and work visas to UAE. The application form from the UAE visa ban countries is not accepted temporarily. Around 9 countries are presently not eligible to apply for UAE visas:

1. Afghanistan
2. Libya
3. Yemen
4. Somalia
5. Lebanon
6. Bangladesh
7. Cameroon
8. SudanNigerian
9. Uganda

Reason for Banning UAE Visa

Security reasons are the proper reason for banning these 9 countries from applying for UAE visas. The "UAE visa ban countries" are only restricted for a specific time. The good reason is not known, but it can be due to the following:

  • The UAE visa ban is enforced to protect UAE nationals against terrorist attacks and bomb assaults. 
  • Due to the peace and ties between some Gulf countries and Israel. 
  • The UAE visa ban may also have been imposed because of the COVID-19 crisis and the threat of the spread of infection.

READ ALSO: ALL ABOUT THE NEW UAE GREEN VISA

Effect of Relations between UAE and Banned Countries

The UAE visa ban on selected countries has affected friendly and good relations. The relationship between UAE and Turkey has been spoiled after a sudden ban on issuing new visas. The foreign minister of Pakistan said that the UAE has temporarily not accepted new UAE visa applications from Pakistan and 12 other countries. Many Pakistani nationals in the UAE faced issues sending their application for renewing UAE work permits.

The UAE visa ban is imposed on countries with a Muslim-majority population only. The reason is still unclear; many theories and sources claim it is due to health concerns. Many sources claim due to security and measures against unwanted terrorist attacks. All the nationals from these 9 visa-banned countries are already in the country. Or the applicants already holding work permits and tourist visas for UAE will not be affected by this new restriction.

Read Also:  UAE Visa For South African Citizens

UAE Visa Ban Update

The UAE visa ban means citizens holding passports from certain countries will not be permitted to enter the territory regardless of the reason. The UAE visa ban was said to be only for a few months. But, the UAE government didn't pass out any information about removing or uplifting the UAE visa ban for 9 countries.

UAE Travel Ban

The UAE travel or entry ban can be imposed on foreign visitors and tourists. For reasons like,

  • Using an invalid visa to obtain entry into the United Arab Emirates
  • Using fake identity and fake passport for UAE visa.
  • You stay in the United Arab Emirates longer than your visa validity time.
  • Crime History
  • Working in the country without a UAE work permit.
  • Not vaccinated and not taken COVID-19 test before arrival.

Read Also: UAE Visa for Tunisian Citizens 

Other Information Regarding UAE Visas for Banned Countries

All the nationals from UAE visa-banned countries will be allowed to enter the country after the upliftment of the ban. After upliftment, the UAE visa-banned countries can obtain short-term and long-term tourist visas for the country. The short-term tourist visa for UAE will allow the passport holders of these countries to stay in UAE until their visa expires. Passport holders of all the countries currently denied applying for UAE work permits will be free to obtain UAE work allows.

READ ALSO:  UAE Visa for Nepalese Citizens

 Entry Requirements for UAE 

  • Foreign nationals must carry their six monthly valid passports having two blank pages.
  • UAE  visa must be issued from the embassy, online, or at the airport according to the eligibility criteria.
  • A negative test result for COVID-19 is required to obtain entry at immigration points in the UAE.
  • Vaccination certificate of corona vaccine.
  • The traveller should follow COVID rules and quarantine rules after entering the country.

Conclusion

The immigration circular passed in November 2020 claimed that the UAE banned visa issuance and application form from 9 Muslim nations, which is said to be elevated soon.

Also Read

  1.  UAE Visa for Pakistani citizens
  2. Overstay fines in Uae
  3. UAE Visa for Moroccan Citizens
  4. UAE Visa for Ethiopian Citizens
  5. UAE Visa for Syrian Citizens
  6. UAE Visa for Myanmar Citizens

Frequently Asked Questions

UAE immigration has not officially lifted the ban yet; travelers should check GDRFA, ICP, or AMER for real-time updates.

One of the most significant updates is the introduction of about ten entry visas that don't require a host or sponsor. These visas offer flexible durations and can be for single or multiple entries.

You didn't remove the Ban on the UAE visa of your country. You have only done one thing: you say the purpose of your visit to the UAE of the UAE Immigration Authority.

Tourist and employment visa applications from banned countries are mostly restricted, while residence renewals and medical visas are usually unaffected.

Visa bans may be lifted by settling fines, getting a No-Objection Certificate, or applying for clearance through GDRFA/MOHRE.

You can check via AMER helpline, GDRFA portals, or by contacting your sponsor or UAE immigration office.

You can check my blog to know which countries are banned in UAE. If you live in anyone's banned country, you are banned in UAE.

UAE work visas for Pakistanis are partially open, subject to profession and security clearance rules.

1-year ban, employment ban, Labour ban, Immigration ban. These types of visas are banned in the UAE.

Reports suggest certain Pakistani cities face additional scrutiny, but applicants should confirm directly with UAE immigration before applying.

UAE blacklists these countries.

  • Yemen
  • Afghanistan
  • Iran
  • Syria
  • Libya
  • Iraq
  • Lebanon
  • Somalia

Nigerian visit and work visa applications remain restricted, though existing residents can usually renew valid permits.

Pakistani citizens are eligible for UAE visas, but restrictions sometimes apply to specific cities or employment categories.

Currently, Turkish Passport holders are not eligible to apply for UAE tourist visa due to visa ban.

Yes, UAE has temporarily suspended visa issuance for Lebanese nationals under certain categories.

To check your visa ban status in the UAE, you can go through the official website of the UAE government or contact the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs GDRFA. Alternatively, you may contact the relevant immigration authorities to obtain information on any existing visa bans.

The UAE government has imposed a visa ban for new applicants. And entry bans for almost 13 countries with a muslim majority population.

A visa ban blocks new applications, while a travel ban prevents entry or exit regardless of visa validity.

As of now, citizens from Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Sudan, Nigeria, and Uganda face temporary UAE visa restrictions.

Official updates are available through the GDRFA, ICP UAE, AMER service, and UAE embassy or consulate announcements.

The ban is temporary; UAE authorities review and update the list based on security, diplomatic, and health considerations.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *