UAE allows return of residents with expired visas amid Iran-US tensions

United Arab Emirates has also eased restrictions for residents due to war

ABU DHABI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 12nd, 2026) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced new flexibility measures allowing residents with expired visas to return to the country without needing a fresh visa — a move that comes amid wider regional instability following heightened tensions in the middle East involving Iran and the United States.

According to an official statement from the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, residents stranded abroad due to circumstances such as flight disruptions or airspace closures can now re-enter the UAE even if their residency visas have expired. The decision, effective as of late February, is intended to provide relief to expatriates who could not return due to logistical challenges linked to regional hostilities and airspace issues.

The authority clarified that the relaxed rules apply not only to long-term residents but also to tourists and visit visa holders who were unable to depart on time due to cancelled flights amid the recent closure of Gulf airspace.

Ordinary penalties for visa overstays — typically a daily fine — have been waived for affected travellers, easing pressure on thousands of expatriates, including those from Pakistan.

Officials said the move is part of a broader humanitarian and administrative effort to help residents navigate the complexities of travel disruptions caused by regional political and security tensions. The UAE government has also urged expatriates to stay in close contact with relevant authorities and use official channels for support and clarification.

Legal and immigration experts say this temporary relaxation contrasts with previous strict rules on overstays and visa violations, underlining the authority’s willingness to adapt policy in response to unfolding regional risks.

The new guidelines are expected to benefit a wide range of expatriates who were caught abroad following travel bans and safety-related flight cancellations linked to ongoing geopolitical developments involving Iran and US forces in the Middle East.