UAE and Middle East: Travel & Immigration Advice
Due to the ongoing conflict in the region, significant travel disruptions are impacting airspace and airport operations across the Middle East, including the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Travellers may find themselves stranded at airports due to cancelled, delayed, or rerouted flights. This alert contains rolling daily updates.
Our Global Crisis Response Team has developed a comprehensive set of FAQs to assist employers affected by the travel disruption and border closures: Read here.
Updated March 9, 2026
Due to the escalating geopolitical tensions across the Middle East, several countries in the Gulf region are experiencing airspace disruptions, security alerts, and operational limitations impacting travel and immigration processes. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and further changes may occur with little notice.
Several diplomatic missions in the region have adjusted their operations:
🇪🇺 Schengen Consulates
All scheduled visa appointments have been postponed until further notice. No new visa appointments are currently being issued.
🇯🇵 Japan Embassy
Applications are still being accepted. Authorities are strongly encouraging eligible applicants to apply via eVisa or Visa on Arrival instead of manual submissions.
🇹🇷 Turkey Embassy
Applications are being accepted. Applicants who qualify for eVisa or Visa on Arrival are encouraged to use these routes instead of submitting manual applications.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Embassy
Visa applications continue to be accepted. However, an increase in application rejections has been observed, and applicants should expect stricter scrutiny during the visa assessment process.
Regional situation country-by-country
🇧🇭 Bahrain
The Bahrain Ministry of Interior confirmed that warning sirens were activated again on Monday following incoming fire from Iran.
Gulf Air has temporarily suspended all flights as Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs (BCAA) continues to keep national airspace closed. Flight services will resume once authorities confirm it is safe to reopen the airspace. The airline has indicated that the next operational update will be issued at 11:00 BHT (08:00 UTC) on 10 March 2026.
Travellers are advised to check flight status through the Gulf Air official website and mobile app.
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Regional tensions continue to impact aviation and travel across the UAE. Fresh missile and drone strikes have been reported in Iran, with several Gulf countries responding to aerial threats. UAE authorities confirmed that a Dubai resident was killed after debris from an aerial interception struck a vehicle. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have also reported intercepting missiles and drones.
Dubai Airports has announced a partial resumption of operations, with limited flights currently operating from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). UAE airlines have begun gradually resuming limited services as authorities monitor the security situation.
Air India and Air India Express are expected to operate 24 scheduled flights on 9 March 2026 connecting UAE, Jeddah, and Muscat. To support disrupted travellers, airlines also plan to operate 32 ad-hoc flights to and from UAE airports, subject to slot availability and regulatory approvals.
Etihad Airways has released a limited operational schedule connecting Abu Dhabi to selected destinations.
Travellers should not proceed to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking or have been contacted by the airline. All flights remain subject to operational approvals and safety assessments.
With the partial resumption of airline operations, there has been a notable increase in UAE residence permit holders returning to the country.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Authorities have issued precautionary advisories due to ongoing regional tensions. King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) has advised passengers to confirm their flight status directly with airlines before traveling to the airport. Travellers are encouraged to rely on official airline and airport communication channels for accurate information.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed that a drone was intercepted and destroyed east of the Al Jawf region.
Several GCC companies have implemented hybrid or remote working policies as a precaution amid the evolving security situation.
Key Mobility Implications
Organizations with mobile employees should anticipate:
- Delays in visa processing and consular appointments
- Flight cancellations or schedule changes
- Restricted airspace affecting regional travel routes
- Possible last-minute travel disruptions
- Operational delays at immigration and visa processing centers
