In a comprehensive immigration announcement, the United Arab Emirates UAE has reportedly paused the processing of tourist and employment visas for citizens from nine nations across Africa and Asia.
While there has been no official public statement, an internal immigration memorandum reportedly indicates a major shift in policy — one that could have extensive economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian effects.
The 2026 UAE visa prohibition reflects growing concerns regarding security, health, and migration management.Who is impacted:
The nations on the UAE visa prohibition list as per a private immigration memorandum obtained by various media sources, the UAE has enacted a temporary halt on new visa applications from the following nations:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Sudan
- Uganda
- Libya
- Yemen
- Somalia
- Lebanon
Citizens from these nine countries are restricted from applying for both tourist visas and work authorizations in the UAE starting in 2026. This policy will stay in place until further notice, with no specified timeline for review or potential reversal. It’s crucial to note that this is a visa prohibition, not a blanket travel restriction.
Nationals of the specified countries who already possess valid UAE visas are unaffected and can continue living or working legally in the UAE without complications.