Gateway International, the outsourcing partner that runs Türkiye’s visa-application centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, issued an urgent notice on 27 October confirming that all offices will be closed on Wednesday, 29 October, for Republic Day celebrations in Türkiye. Submission slots scheduled for that day have been cancelled, and passports ready for collection will be available from 30 October onward.
The one-day closure coincides with the autumn peak for UAE residents heading to Istanbul and the Turkish Riviera for half-term breaks. Travel consultants report that premium ‘express’ appointments earlier in the week are already full, leaving many last-minute travellers at risk of missing departures. Applicants who have not yet submitted biometrics are being advised to reschedule flights or opt for the e-Visa programme if eligible.
For corporate mobility teams, the disruption highlights the importance of monitoring host-country holidays that affect visa processing. Although Republic Day is a public holiday in Türkiye, it is not observed in the UAE, leading many travellers to underestimate its impact. Employers with staff due to attend conferences or project kick-offs in Ankara or Izmir in early November should check that passports will be released in time and consider courier-return options.
Gateway added that its call centre and email helpline will operate remotely on 29 October to answer urgent queries, but no in-person services—including VIP lounges—will be available.
The one-day closure coincides with the autumn peak for UAE residents heading to Istanbul and the Turkish Riviera for half-term breaks. Travel consultants report that premium ‘express’ appointments earlier in the week are already full, leaving many last-minute travellers at risk of missing departures. Applicants who have not yet submitted biometrics are being advised to reschedule flights or opt for the e-Visa programme if eligible.
For corporate mobility teams, the disruption highlights the importance of monitoring host-country holidays that affect visa processing. Although Republic Day is a public holiday in Türkiye, it is not observed in the UAE, leading many travellers to underestimate its impact. Employers with staff due to attend conferences or project kick-offs in Ankara or Izmir in early November should check that passports will be released in time and consider courier-return options.
Gateway added that its call centre and email helpline will operate remotely on 29 October to answer urgent queries, but no in-person services—including VIP lounges—will be available.
