UAE clarifies five-year multiple-entry tourist visa requirements and fees
UAE opens 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa to all nationalities
UAE passport climbs to 2nd strongest worldwide in 2026 Henley Index
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Airlines cancel UAE–Kuwait and UAE–Bahrain flights amid regional tension
On 22 July 2026 UAE carriers cancelled dozens of flights to Kuwait and Bahrain because of heightened regional hostilities, advising passengers to re-book or seek refunds. The cuts hit peak-season traffic, forcing businesses to re-route travellers and time-sensitive cargo. Further ad-hoc cancellations are likely until security conditions stabilise.
Dubai launches ‘A Dubai Invite’ to reward residents who bring visitors
Dubai’s DET has introduced “A Dubai Invite”, rewarding residents who register visiting friends or family between 20 July and 31 October 2026 with perks worth over AED 3,000. The referral-style scheme aims to stimulate inbound travel and offers corporate mobility teams a cost-effective tool for onboarding assignees and event delegates.
UAE carriers cancel Kuwait and Bahrain flights amid renewed regional attacks
On 22 July UAE airlines cancelled or adjusted multiple Dubai- and Abu Dhabi-to-Kuwait/Bahrain services as regional security deteriorated. Employers should expect longer routings, possible overnight delays and higher ticket prices until the situation stabilises.
EASA conflict-zone warning pushes more international airlines to extend Dubai route suspensions
EASA’s conflict-zone alert prompted several major international airlines on 22 July to extend or expand suspensions of Dubai services into the autumn, squeezing trans-Atlantic and European capacity. Mobility teams must budget for higher fares, longer routings and potential last-minute changes until security advice eases.
Dubai Airports operating with half the usual airlines as Iran conflict drags on
Dubai Airports confirmed on 22 July that the number of airlines serving the emirate has fallen from roughly 100 to about 50 because of the Iran–US conflict. Emirates is back-filling lost capacity, but premium and Asian carriers remain on the sidelines amid high war-risk insurance costs. Mobility managers should plan for longer journey times and persistent schedule volatility.
Dubai issues 29,000 ‘relative and friend’ visit visas in H1 2026, GDRFA reveals
GDRFA Dubai confirmed on 22 July that it approved over 29,000 friend-and-relative visit visas in the first half of 2026, with most applications completed online in 48 hours. The data underscores Dubai’s efficient digital visa ecosystem and its importance for expatriate family cohesion.
Everything you need to know about the UAE’s 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa
A detailed Khaleej Times guide published on 22 July 2026 breaks down costs, requirements and compliance tips for the UAE’s five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. The permit, which grants up to 180 days’ stay per year, is gaining traction among frequent business and family visitors, offering greater flexibility but strict documentation and overstay rules.
Indian Embassy outsources passport, visa and attestation services across UAE
Effective 22 July 2026, Indian passport, visa and attestation work in the UAE has been outsourced to Al Hind Tours & Travels, with 16 new service centres replacing embassy counters. The AED 19 service fee and mandatory online appointments aim to streamline processing for the UAE’s large Indian workforce, prompting employers to adjust mobility workflows and privacy compliance.
UAE reminds expatriates of hefty fines for breaching new visa-labour rules
A 22 July media advisory highlighted stiff financial penalties—daily overstay fines, insurance-related blocks and up to AED 10,000 absconding charges—for expatriates who ignore the UAE’s updated visa-cancellation grace periods, mandatory ILOE insurance or health-coverage rules. Employers must tighten compliance checks to avoid disruption to workforce mobility.
US visa appointment backlog in UAE threatens students’ autumn enrolment
With routine US visa services still curtailed in the UAE, students accepted by American universities are struggling to obtain F-1 appointments, according to a 22 July 2026 Khaleej Times update. The backlog is forcing families to defer studies or consider alternative countries, creating knock-on effects for corporate scholarship and dependent-mobility programmes.
UAE condemns Houthi threat to blockade Saudi ports, stresses freedom of navigation
The UAE condemned Houthi statements on 22 July 2026 that threatened a maritime blockade of Saudi ports, calling for strict enforcement of UN resolutions protecting freedom of navigation. Any disruption in the Red Sea could affect UAE logistics and necessitate travel-security reviews for cross-border staff movements and cargo flows.
DP World inks 50-year deal for two new Fujairah terminals
DP World signed a 50-year concession on 22 July 2026 to build two ports in Fujairah, boosting UAE container capacity by 13 % and offering an alternative to Strait-of-Hormuz routes. The project strengthens supply-chain resilience for shippers and underpins the Emirates’ strategy to expand east-coast maritime infrastructure.
UAE Airlines Issue Fresh Wave of Flight Cancellations and Reroutings as Gulf Tensions Flare
Air France, Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have all cancelled or rerouted flights involving Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Abha following the latest US-Iran flare-up. Although UAE airports continue to operate, longer flight times and rolling cancellations are driving up costs and complicating duty-of-care planning for multinational employers.
Gulf carriers scramble as renewed Gulf conflict triggers fresh round of flight cancellations
Etihad, Emirates, Air Arabia, flydubai and multiple foreign carriers cancelled or extended suspensions on UAE routes on 21 July after fresh EASA warnings about Gulf airspace risks. Although Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports remain open, detours, insurance issues and escalating regional tensions are disrupting schedules, lengthening flight times and raising costs for corporate travellers and mobility teams.
Etihad Extends Kuwait Suspension; UAE–Kuwait Routes Face Ongoing Disruption
Etihad has pushed its Abu Dhabi–Kuwait cancellations out to 24 July, adding to a growing list of UAE–Kuwait flight suspensions by Emirates, Air Arabia and flydubai. The disruption is squeezing critical commuter traffic for multinational companies and forcing mobility managers to activate contingency plans.
Dubai clarifies visa-on-arrival rules for Indian, Filipino and other expatriate residents
GDRFA Dubai has confirmed detailed eligibility and fee structures for its 14- and 60-day visa-on-arrival scheme, benefiting Indian, Filipino, Kenyan, South African, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese nationals who hold certain third-country residence permits. The digital process shortens lead-times for short-term business travel but does not replace work-permit routes.
Dubai Clarifies 14- and 60-Day Visa-on-Arrival Rules for Indian, Filipino and Other Residents
GDRFA Dubai has issued detailed instructions for residents of seven newly eligible nationalities on how to obtain 14- or 60-day visas on arrival. The smart-portal process—finalised in under 48 hours—gives businesses a faster, lower-cost route to bring in talent from South-East Asia and Africa.
Australia Re-Issues ‘Reconsider Travel’ Advisory for UAE Amid Rising Regional Conflict
Australia’s 21 July Smartraveller update keeps the UAE at Level 3 (‘Reconsider travel’) and flags potential flight cancellations, stricter document checks and terrorism risks. Corporates must review duty-of-care thresholds for Australian staff transiting or residing in the Emirates.
Indian consular services in UAE shift to Al Hind Tours & Travels after Supreme Court ruling
Effective 22 July, Indian passport, visa and attestation services in the UAE move to Al Hind Tours & Travels after India’s Supreme Court declined to overturn a Delhi High Court ruling on outsourcing. The switch affects 16 consular centres and requires applicants—and corporate mobility teams—to use a new booking platform and updated forms.
Australia’s Smartraveller urges citizens to reconsider travel to UAE as air-risk bulletin extended
DFAT’s Smartraveller service updated its UAE page on 21 July, reiterating a ‘reconsider travel’ warning due to heightened regional conflict and possible airspace closures. The advisory may trigger corporate travel freezes, insurance exclusions and revised emergency-response planning for Australian assignees in the Emirates.
Germany Updates UAE Travel Advice, Citing Volatile Security and Possible Flight Bans
Berlin’s latest travel bulletin keeps the UAE on heightened watch, pointing to a still-volatile security climate and the chance of abrupt flight restrictions. German firms must factor the advisory into duty-of-care and insurance calculations for staff movements into Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
‘A Dubai Invite’: residents offered Dh3,000 rewards for bringing overseas visitors
Dubai’s DET has rolled out ‘A Dubai Invite’, rewarding residents who host overseas visitors with hotel, dining and attraction perks worth over AED 3,000. Running 20 July–31 October, the scheme aims to stimulate inbound tourism and business travel during a period of flight disruptions.