The United Arab Emirates will suspend the issuance of new tourist and work visas for citizens of nine countries beginning in 2026, according to an immigration circular distributed to recruitment agencies and travel offices. Ghana is exempt from the measure, which applies to five African states as well as Afghanistan, Yemen, Lebanon and Bangladesh.
The suspension covers nationals of Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Cameroon and Libya, in addition to the four Asian and Middle Eastern countries. It blocks new applications for both tourist and work permits until further notice. However, the directive does not affect individuals from those countries already residing and working in the UAE on valid visas.
According to Business Insider, officials familiar with immigration policy said the decision is linked to concerns over fraudulent documents, irregular migration, and potential security risks.
While the UAE government has not issued a formal statement, the Gulf state has in the past introduced temporary restrictions on certain nationalities under similar circumstances. The latest move coincides with a broader overhaul of the UAE’s immigration systems, including the rollout of new digital verification processes.
Diplomatic and health considerations are also seen as factors. Gulf countries have often used immigration measures as leverage in managing bilateral relations, while some COVID-era screening rules continue to influence visa policy. The suspension comes months after Abu Dhabi tightened Nigerian transit visas and imposed additional limits on tourist access from West Africa.
The economic implications for the affected African nations are considerable. The UAE is a key destination for migrant workers from East and Central Africa, especially in construction, domestic services and retail. Recruitment agencies in Kampala, Khartoum and Mogadishu report cancelled contracts and stranded applicants, while employers in the UAE face the prospect of labour shortages.
Remittances sent back from the Gulf remain a vital source of household income and foreign exchange for several of the affected economies.
Officials in Kampala and Khartoum said they were seeking clarification from Abu Dhabi. Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Henry Oryem told reporters that while the measure is not a travel ban, the government must explain to citizens why opportunities in the UAE will become more restricted.
“Some people will still go, but it will be based on the risk of a person overstaying their visa or failing to respect the laws and culture of the UAE,” he said.
By contrast, Ghana is not on the list. The exemption means Ghanaians can continue to apply for new UAE tourist and work visas under existing rules, avoiding immediate disruption for thousands of families and businesses that rely on the Gulf corridor.
