The UAE has introduced temporary precautionary measures in response to public health developments linked to the Ebola virus outbreak in parts of Africa.
Effective from 1:00 PM on Saturday, 6 June 2026, the UAE has temporarily suspended the issuance of new visas for nationals of the following countries:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Uganda
South Sudan
The measure was announced by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) as part of the UAE’s wider efforts to protect national health security and strengthen public health preparedness.
Who May Be Affected
The temporary suspension applies to the issuance of new UAE visas for nationals of the listed countries.
Travelers arriving from, or who have recently been present in, the affected countries may also be subject to additional entry requirements or restrictions, including cases involving transit routes.
21-Day Travel Requirement
Entry into the UAE may only be permitted for travelers who have spent more than 21 days outside the listed countries before arriving in the UAE.
Companies and individuals should therefore carefully review both the applicant’s nationality and recent travel history before proceeding with any visa or immigration-related application.
Flights and Cargo Operations
The relevant authorities have confirmed that:
Cargo flights will continue without disruption.
Transit flights will continue to operate.
The situation will remain under review based on ongoing health risk assessments.
Why This Matters for Businesses
The UAE is applying these measures as a temporary public health precaution to reduce potential health risks and support early prevention efforts.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention has also confirmed that the UAE’s public health situation remains stable, supported by continued monitoring, airport readiness, early detection procedures, and healthcare preparedness.
Immigration and PRO Considerations
Companies, PRO teams, and individuals managing UAE immigration applications should take additional care before initiating applications involving affected nationalities.
Before proceeding, it is advisable to:
Check the applicant’s nationality.
Confirm the applicant’s recent travel history.
Verify whether the applicant has remained outside the listed countries for more than 21 days.
Avoid submitting applications that may fall within the temporary suspension.
Continue monitoring updates from ICP, NCEMA, and MoHAP.
Final Note
This is a temporary precautionary measure and may be updated, extended, or revised depending on the public health situation.
Businesses handling visa processing, employee onboarding, or relocation matters should review affected cases carefully before proceeding.
For support with UAE visa processing, immigration compliance, or applicant eligibility review, please contact our team.
Dawia Family Office
Public Relations & Corporate Services