Regional Tensions Disrupt UAE Flights to Saudi Arabia and Beyond
Indian Embassy Consolidates Passport & Visa Services to 12 Centres Across the UAE
MoHRE Clarifies 14-Day Deadline for Paying UAE End-of-Service Gratuity
Latest News
Dubai Raises and Lowers Speed Limits on Five Key Arterial Roads
Dubai’s RTA will adjust speed limits on five major roads from 1 November, raising three and lowering two. Companies should update fleet guidance and warn travellers that radar grace limits still apply—breaching them could cost up to Dh 3,000 and 23 black points.
Dubai Police Impound 1,630 Vehicles in Crackdown on Noisy, Modified Cars
A noisy-car crackdown saw Dubai Police seize more than 1,600 vehicles and issue 7,700 penalties so far this year. With Dh 2,000 fines and month-long impounds on the line, employers should warn assignees against aftermarket exhausts and engine tweaks that are legal elsewhere but banned in the UAE.
Indian Embassy streamlines consular network, closes four UAE service centres
Effective 22 October, the Indian Embassy will close four of its 16 consular application centres in the UAE, consolidating services at 12 remaining sites and expanding counters at Bur Dubai. While core operating hours and walk-in options for urgent cases remain, the change will require Indian residents—and the companies that employ them—to adjust travel times and appointment planning for passport, visa and attestation services.
Abu Dhabi tightens Golden Visa salary benchmark for skilled professionals
New guidance from Abu Dhabi’s Residents Office lifts the Golden Visa’s basic-salary requirement for skilled employees to AED 30,000 and demands six months of bank statements, effective immediately. Companies must review payroll structures and documentation to keep key talent eligible.
UAE flight disruptions mount as airlines cancel Saudi routes and delay Dubai-Abu Dhabi services
Gulf News reports mass cancellations on UAE–Saudi routes and rolling delays at DXB and AUH on 21 October 2026. Etihad, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have axed multiple flights through 24 October, citing security concerns and operational knock-ons. Businesses face higher costs and itinerary uncertainty; TMCs recommend 24-hour buffers and vigilant visa compliance.
Abu Dhabi tightens salary and education benchmarks for 10-year Golden Visa skilled-employee route
Abu Dhabi has published updated eligibility rules for the 10-year Golden Visa skilled-employee track. From 22 October 2026 applicants must earn a minimum AED 30,000 basic monthly salary, hold a MOHRE Level 1 or 2 job title and present an attested bachelor’s degree. The changes raise the compliance burden for employers and may push mid-level managers toward other residence options.
Etihad extends Saudi flight suspension through 24 October as security concerns persist
Etihad has cancelled all Abu Dhabi flights to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam through 24 October, citing regional security risks. The move disrupts corporate travel and freight flows, inflating costs and triggering new duty-of-care measures.
Regional tensions trigger wave of flight cancellations and delays at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports
Gulf News documented heavy schedule disruption at Dubai International and Zayed International on 21 October as UAE carriers and several foreign airlines cancelled or delayed flights to Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel amid security concerns. The ripple effects left business travellers scrambling for alternatives and highlighted the importance of agile travel-risk management for companies operating across the Gulf.
Indian Embassy restructures consular, passport and visa centres across UAE
Effective 22 October 2026, India’s Embassy will channel all consular, passport, visa and attestation work through 12 designated ICACs, closing four smaller branches. The consolidation should speed processing but ends walk-in services, so employers must schedule appointments and update mobility policies.
Flydubai-Tel Aviv route remains grounded; Etihad becomes lone UAE carrier to Israel
Flydubai has prolonged the suspension of its Dubai–Tel Aviv flights following last month’s cockpit attack, leaving Etihad as the only UAE airline still serving Israel. The standoff over security procedures is pushing up airfares and forcing businesses to reroute travellers via third countries.
UAE launches world-first AI, paperless VAT-refund platform for tourists
The Federal Tax Authority has activated an AI-driven, 100 % paperless VAT-refund system at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports. Tourists can now complete registration, identity checks and refund claims in a single mobile app and receive money back within one business day, a nine-fold improvement on the previous process. The move streamlines airport flows, boosts retailer sales and strengthens the UAE’s pitch as a frictionless business-travel hub.
Indian Embassy restructures UAE consular application network: 4 centres to close, 12 to remain
Effective 22 October 2026 the Indian Embassy will close four consular application centres in the UAE and operate 12 upgraded locations under its renewed outsourcing contract with Al Hind Tours & Travels. While some residents will travel farther, the embassy expects faster processing and has launched a multilingual chatbot for real-time updates.
GDRFA publishes updated 30- and 60-day Dubai tourist-visa fees ahead of peak season
Dubai immigration authorities have updated their website to spell out the official base fees for 30- and 60-day tourist visas—AED 200/300 for single entry and AED 300/500 for multiple entry—exclusive of VAT and agency charges. The clarification helps travellers and corporates benchmark quotes ahead of the high-season rush.