Published: 30.09.2026

• 2026-09-30UAE Residence System Continues to Rely on Renewable Residence Permits

  Foreign nationals can obtain residence permits through employment, business, investment, real estate, study, remote work and other qualifying grounds. Validity depends on the category and may range from one to ten years, but even a Golden Residence is not permanent residence or citizenship.

• 2026-09-28UAE residence rules cover visa validity, prolonged absence and overstays

  For many residents, staying outside the UAE continuously for more than 180 days generally invalidates the residence visa, subject to exceptions. A person returning after such an absence can apply for an entry permit with a justified reason; overstaying is charged at AED 50 per day, while grace periods of up to six months may apply after a residence permit is cancelled or expires, depending on the category.

• 2026-09-17UAE non-resident bank onboarding depends on sanctions and KYC checks

  Non-residents may be eligible for certain UAE savings accounts, but approval is not guaranteed. Banks assess nationality, country of residence, source of funds, transaction profile and compliance with sanctions and AML requirements; current accounts, cheque books and credit products are generally more restricted for non-residents.

• 2026-08-27UAE Granted a Grace Period to Regularize Status After Travel Disruptions

  Foreign nationals affected by travel disruptions from February 28 to March 31, 2026, could regularize their immigration status or leave the UAE without penalties until July 9, 2026. The measure covered holders of visit permits, exit permits, and certain residence permits cancelled in preparation for departure.

• 2026-08-12UAE Gives Foreigners 60 Days After Entry to Complete Residence Procedures

  Foreigners entering the UAE to complete residence-permit procedures must finalize them within 60 days of entry. Missing the deadline triggers applicable overstay fines; family residence authorization is also limited by the validity of the sponsor’s residence permit.

• 2026-08-02UAE eVisa for GCC Residents Allows Stays of Up to 30 Days

  Foreign nationals holding valid residence permits in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or Saudi Arabia can apply for a UAE electronic entry permit before travel. Applicants need a passport valid for at least six months, at least one year remaining on their GCC residence permit and an eligible occupation; the permit allows a stay of up to 30 days and may be extended once for another 30 days.

• 2026-07-31UAE Introduces E-Visa for GCC Residents

  Residents of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia can apply online for a UAE e-visa before travelling. The permit allows a stay of up to 30 days and may be extended once for another 30 days; the fee is Dh250 plus 5% VAT.

• 2026-07-29UAE Citizenship Remains Restricted for Foreign Nationals

  Foreign nationals may qualify for UAE citizenship through naturalization, marriage, descent, or exceptional merit, including certain highly skilled professionals and investors. For naturalization, the source cites a lengthy residence period, Arabic-language proficiency, security screening, and other requirements.

• 2026-07-16UAE Clarifies Rules for the Five-Year Multiple-Entry Tourist Visa

  The UAE’s five-year multiple-entry tourist visa is available to nationals of all countries without a sponsor or host. It allows stays of up to 90 days per entry, extendable by another 90 days, subject to a maximum of 180 days per year; requirements include a passport valid for six months, health insurance, a return ticket and proof of a bank balance of at least 4,000.

• 2026-07-15UAE Expands Visa-on-Arrival Access to Nationals of Six Countries

  Nationals of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Kenya, and South Africa who hold valid residence permits in certain countries are now eligible for a UAE visa on arrival for 14 or 60 days. The change was announced on June 25, 2026, by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.

• 2026-07-09UAE temporary grace period for travellers affected by flight disruptions ends

  A 30-day grace period for people previously exempted from overstay fines because of regional flight disruptions ran from 10 June to 9 July 2026. Before the deadline, they could regularise their status or leave the UAE; after 9 July, normal immigration and overstay rules apply again.

• 2026-07-04UAE Expands Visa-on-Arrival Eligibility for Nationals of Seven Countries

  The UAE expanded access to visa-on-arrival categories for nationals of India, Indonesia, Kenya, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam. For some categories, applicants must hold a valid residence permit from the US, UK, an EU member state, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada; the permitted stay is either 14 or 60 days depending on the category.

• 2026-07-04UAE suspends new visas for nationals of three countries over Ebola concerns

  From 6 June 2026, the UAE suspended the issuance of new visas to nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan and restricted entry for travellers arriving from those countries. Travellers who have spent more than 21 consecutive days outside the listed countries are exempt; the measure may be extended depending on the health situation.

• 2026-07-04UAE Suspends New Visa Issuance for Nationals of Three Countries Amid Ebola Measures

  The UAE suspended the issuance of new visas to nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. The measure took effect on 6 June 2026 and may be extended depending on the public-health situation.

• 2026-06-25UAE Grants Visa-on-Arrival Access to Kenyans Holding U.S. or EU Residence Permits

  Kenyan passport holders with valid residence permits from the United States or an EU member state became eligible for a UAE visa on arrival. The policy covers ordinary Kenyan passport holders and eligible family members, but not all Kenyan citizens.

• 2026-06-01Dubai Source Reports Removal of the Minimum Property-Value Threshold for a Two-Year Residence Visa

  A source reports that, from April 29, 2026, Dubai removed the minimum property-value threshold for obtaining a two-year residence visa. It states that the 10-year Golden Visa through property investment still requires an investment of at least AED 2,000,000.

• 2026-05-31Russian Nationals Retain Visa-Free Entry to the UAE for Up to 90 Days Subject to Document Requirements

  Russian nationals may enter the UAE without obtaining a visa in advance and stay for up to 90 days. Travellers need a valid passport; children must have their own passports, while additional documents and medical insurance apply in certain cases.

• 2026-04-08UAE Temporarily Allows Re-entry for Residents with Expired Visas

  Residents outside the UAE whose visas expired on or after February 28, 2026, are temporarily allowed to return without applying for a new entry permit. The measure runs until March 31, 2026, after which they must renew or regularise their residency through the relevant authorities.

• 2026-04-02UAE Temporarily Allowed Residents With Expired Visas to Return Without a New Permit

  Residents outside the UAE whose visas expired on or after February 28, 2026, could re-enter without a new entry permit until March 31, 2026. After returning, they had to renew or otherwise regularize their residence status, while related penalties were waived for eligible individuals.

• 2026-04-02Temporary UAE Re-entry Rule for Residents with Expired Visas Has Ended

  The UAE temporarily allowed residents stranded abroad whose visas expired after February 28, 2026, to re-enter without obtaining a new entry permit. The grace period ended on March 31, 2026; standard entry rules now apply, including obtaining a new entry visa where required.

• 2026-04-01UAE Restricts Entry and Transit for Iranian Nationals Without a Golden Visa

  Iranian nationals are restricted from entering or transiting through the UAE unless they hold a golden visa providing long-term residency. Sources also cite exemptions for certain groups, including spouses of UAE nationals, children of Emirati women, doctors, engineers, investors and other professionals.

• 2026-03-13UAE Temporarily Allows Residents with Expired Visas to Return Without a New Entry Permit

  UAE residents who were abroad and whose residence visas expired on or after February 28, 2026, were allowed to return without applying for a new entry permit. The temporary measure was valid until March 31, 2026, after which returnees had to renew or regularize their status through the relevant authorities.

• 2026-03-12UAE Temporarily Allowed Certain Residents with Expired Permits to Return

  Residents who were outside the UAE and whose residence permits expired on or after 28 February 2026 because of airspace closures or flight suspensions were allowed to return without applying for a new entry visa. The measure was valid from 28 February through 31 March 2026 and allowed them to regularise their status without related penalties.

• 2026-03-11UAE Banks Tighten Checks on Russian Clients and Banking Documents

  Since autumn 2023, UAE banks have tightened their policies toward clients from Russia. Bank statements from sanctioned Russian banks may lead to an account-opening refusal.

• 2026-02-21UAE Lowers the Age of Majority to 18, Affecting Expatriate Documents and Mobility

  The UAE has lowered the age of majority from 21 to 18. The change affects entry-permit processing, residence-visa amendments and dependent-student applications, as well as expatriate inheritance arrangements and certain corporate plans.

• 2025-12-22UAE Expands Visit-Visa Categories and Updates Requirements for Selected Visas

  In 2025, the UAE introduced new visit-visa categories for AI specialists, entertainment and event participants, and maritime tourists. It also changed requirements for sponsoring visits by friends and relatives, business-exploration visas and certain humanitarian categories.

• 2025-12-12UAE Strengthens Penalties for Illegal Stay and Employment of Migrants

  The UAE has strengthened enforcement of entry and residence rules for foreigners. Sheltering or employing irregular migrants can result in fines of AED 100,000 to AED 5 million and imprisonment, while illegal use of visas carries fines of at least AED 10,000; forgery of residence documents can also lead to imprisonment and substantial fines.

• 2025-10-16Russia and the UAE Introduce Automatic Exchange of Tax Information

  The automatic exchange of information affects Russian tax residents who hold bank accounts in the UAE, as well as controlling persons of foreign companies who are Russian tax residents. The change concerns the transfer of tax information between the two countries.