UAE adds six Asian and African nations to its visa-on-arrival scheme
UAE widens visa-on-arrival to six emerging markets, easing entry for millions of travellers
Indian passport fees set to jump 75 % in UAE as new ‘ICAC’ one-stop centres go live
Latest News
What changes on 1 July? From Etihad Rail’s first passenger route to a new Indian passport service hub
Gulf News lists six rule-changes taking effect on or after 1 July. Key mobility items include the launch of Etihad Rail’s first passenger corridor, a shake-up of outsourced Indian consular services with higher passport fees, and a deadline for companies to sign up to the UAE’s e-invoicing system. Together they affect employee travel planning, cross-emirate commuting and back-office compliance.
ICP issues 30-day overstay-fine grace period after February air-space closures
The UAE will waive daily overstay fines until 9 July for people whose visas expired during the February air-space closure. Travellers must either exit the country or regularise their status within the 30-day window. After that date, penalties of AED 50 per day are reinstated.
Etihad opens Abu Dhabi–Dhaka route, boosting cargo and diaspora links
Etihad Airways has begun four-weekly Abu Dhabi–Dhaka flights using Boeing 777s, adding capacity for Bangladeshi expatriates and exporters. The route, confirmed on June 27, strengthens South-Asia–Gulf connectivity just weeks after airspace disruptions eased and creates new premium and cargo options for businesses operating between the two countries.
Air Arabia suspends UAE flights amid fresh Gulf airspace restrictions
Citing renewed Gulf airspace restrictions, Air Arabia has halted all flights into and out of the UAE for at least 24 hours from June 27. The suspension underscores continuing regional volatility and will disrupt labour mobility and time-critical cargo flows that depend on the carrier’s low-cost network.
ETIAS misconceptions fuel summer visa crunch for UAE holiday-makers
A Travel & Tour World dispatch says misinformation about the upcoming ETIAS system has led many UAE-based expatriates to postpone Schengen-visa applications, triggering a shortage of appointment slots and forcing corporates to rethink European travel plans.
Work-permit rules clarified: MoHRE reminds employers of stricter eligibility checks
An advisory updated on 27 June warns that MoHRE will no longer tolerate missing paperwork in work-visa filings; incomplete applications are automatically rejected. Employers must upload degree equivalency, bilingual job offers and insurance proof at the point of submission to avoid costly delays.
Abu Dhabi opens next-generation US pre-clearance facility at Zayed International Airport
A state-of-the-art US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facility went live at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport on 26 June 2026, allowing passengers to complete all US formalities before departure. The move boosts AUH’s value proposition for North-American-bound corporates and trims connection times once in the United States.
UAE, Iran hold rare ministerial call to safeguard Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes
UAE and Iranian foreign ministers spoke on 26 June about protecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The diplomatic outreach aims to forestall further security incidents that disrupt Gulf airspace and sea lanes, both critical to the UAE’s role as a regional mobility hub.
UAE to enter preparatory talks for CPTPP membership, opening new mobility corridors
CPTPP ministers have green-lit preparatory negotiations with the UAE, moving the country a step closer to the Asia-Pacific trade pact. Accession would likely embed business-mobility clauses, promising smoother visa and work-permit pathways between the Emirates and 11 Pacific-rim economies.
False missile alert rattles Dubai and Abu Dhabi, sparks brief travel uncertainty
A mistaken missile warning sent to phones in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on 26 June caused momentary operational jitters for airlines and highlighted corporate duty-of-care gaps. Although authorities quickly retracted the alert, mobility managers are urged to audit crisis-communication and shelter-in-place procedures.