The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has abruptly ended its liberal visa-on-arrival regime for 39 European states—including Poland—effective 22 February 2026. Polish passport-holders who once received a free 90-day stamp at Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airports must now obtain a pre-approved visa, upload biometrics and show proof of funds before boarding. 1. What changed and why • The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security says the measure is part of a wider “risk-segmentation” upgrade that relies on AI watch-list screening. • Travellers must apply online at least ten days before departure, pay a non-refundable 380 AED fee and schedule fingerprint capture on arrival. • Failure to present the approval code will lead to airline fines and passenger off-loading. 2. Impact on Polish companies • Poland is the UAE’s fastest-growing EU source market; almost 110,000 Poles visited in 2025, and over 350 Polish SMEs operate regional hubs in Dubai’s free zones. • Last-minute trade missions will now require lead-time, and firms must budget for higher compliance costs. HR teams should review invitation-letter templates, ensure employees’ passports have two blank pages and consider multi-entry “Golden Business” visas for frequent flyers. 3. Work-around options • Passengers transiting through the UAE for fewer than 24 hours can still obtain an airport-only transit visa issued by their airline. • Airlines report a surge in itinerary changes via Doha and Riyadh, which continue to offer visa-free entry for Poles. • Travel managers should update online booking tools and traveller-tracking dashboards to flag the new requirement at point of sale. 4. Wider takeaway The decision underscores a post-pandemic trend toward data-driven, security-first border management in the Gulf. Similar gate-way economies—Qatar and Saudi Arabia—are expected to follow with comparable pre-clearance schemes ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup and Expo 2030. Polish exporters and tour operators must therefore place greater emphasis on forward planning and traveller education.
Source: Travel and Tour World
