In a surprise pre-summer move, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, June 1 rescinded its longstanding ban on Emirati citizens travelling to Lebanon. The prohibition—first imposed in 2019 over security concerns—had forced UAE tourists and executives to route meetings through third countries or rely on virtual alternatives. Under-Secretary Khalid Balhoul said the decision followed “exhaustive monitoring of border security and firm guarantees from the Lebanese government.” Effective immediately, UAE nationals may travel directly to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport without prior Ministry clearance. Standard destination advisories about avoiding border areas with Syria and Israel remain in place. Corporate mobility teams welcomed the restart. Lebanese subsidiaries of UAE banks and telecoms have struggled to fly Gulf-based staff in for audits and project launches; many relied on Cyprus stopovers. Travel management company CWT forecasts a 35 per cent jump in Abu Dhabi-Beirut seat demand over the next quarter, with Etihad tipped to restore a second daily frequency if bookings materialise. The thaw could also reopen a talent pipeline: Lebanese engineers, teachers and hospitality staff make up one of the UAE’s largest Arab expatriate communities. Recruiters say on-the-ground interviews in Beirut are often pivotal to closing offers. Analysts caution that the policy will be reviewed quarterly. Any deterioration in Lebanon’s security environment could trigger a rapid re-imposition of restrictions—so companies should keep contingency routing options alive.
Source: The Gulf Time / WAM dispatch
