Comprehensive Guide to the UAE Visa Ban for 9 Countries in 2025

A UAE visa is a paper that is essentially an official document for immigration points through which foreign nationals enter the country. There are tourist visas and work visas for tourists and workers. 
In December 2020, the UAE government temporarily changed its visa policies for specific countries by imposing some types of bans on certain nationalities due to specific reasons cited by the UAE government. As the latest immigration circular shows, nine countries were banned from getting UAE visas.

UAE Visa Ban: Countries Affected

Citizens from the following nine countries are temporarily disqualified from applying for UAE tourist or work visas. Applications from these countries will not be accepted at the moment: Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Sudan and Uganda.

Causes of the UAE Visa Ban

The stated reason for the visa ban is security. But the UAE did not issue a statement on why it placed such a restriction. Some possible reasons are as follows:

• To avoid security threats against UAE nationals, including terrorist attacks.
• Political motives, especially when the relations of Gulf countries and Israel are in a changing mode.
• Health and safety concerns, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to control infections.

Impact on UAE relations with the affected countries

The visa ban has put pressure on the diplomatic relations between the UAE and a few of the affected countries. For instance, the restrictions that the UAE had placed on visa issuance to Turkish nationals have resulted in a frosty relationship between the two nations. On the other hand, Pakistan’s foreign minister revealed that new visa applications from Pakistan and 12 other countries were put on hold temporarily. This has created a hassle for Pakistani residents in the UAE, mainly work permit renewals.

According to other reports, the visa ban is set to affect countries with Muslim majorities. However, some sources have no clarity on why; others attribute it to security reasons, while a certain section argues that it is a health regulation matter. Most importantly, this does not affect citizens of these countries who already possess a valid visa for UAE or even working permits.

UAE Travel Ban: More Bans on Entry or Arrival

In addition to visa bans, the UAE may impose entry or arrival bans on foreign visitors for reasons such as:

• Possessing an invalid or a fraudulent visa.
• Providing false identification or an altered passport.
• Exceeding the legal duration of the visa stayed.
• Having a criminal record.
• Working in the UAE without proper work permits.
• Failure to adhere to COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements at the point of entry.

UAE Entry Requirements

To be allowed into the UAE, one has to satisfy the following criteria:

• Have a passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages.
• Get a UAE visa from an embassy, online, or upon arrival, if eligible.
• Be allowed into the country with a negative COVID-19 test result at immigration.
• Be in possession of a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
• Follow the UAE health and quarantine rules upon arrival.

In November 2020, the UAE placed a visa ban on nine countries, citing no specific reasons but security and health concerns are highly believed to be the primary factors. The restriction was initially termed as temporary, but there is no official announcement regarding its removal. Travelers from the affected nations have to wait for further updates from UAE immigration authorities about the resumption of visa issuance.

Arnifi – As Your Trusted Partner

Arnifi simplifies business setup, whether for holding companies or subsidiaries, by taking care of licensing, documentation, and regulatory compliance. Our expert team takes care of smooth visa processing, effective accounting and tax services, and continuous post-establishment support. Whether you opt for a free zone, mainland, or offshore setup, we assist you in navigating legal and tax obligations with ease. Concentrate on business expansion while Arnifi takes care of the rest.

Also Read: Requirements for Establishing a Holding Company in Dubai