Precautionary health measures target arrivals from three African nations starting June 6
ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has announced a temporary suspension on the issuance of all new visas, including tourist and visit visas, for citizens traveling from countries currently affected by the Ebola virus outbreak. The directive, which takes effect at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 6, 2026, is part of the nation’s proactive efforts to reinforce public health defenses and safeguard its borders against potential health threats.
The joint declaration was issued by the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). According to official statements, the restriction primarily impacts nationals and incoming travelers from three Central and East African nations: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan.
In addition to halting new visa processing, strict transit protocols have been put in place. Travelers arriving directly or transiting through third-party countries from the designated areas will be denied entry into the UAE. The authorities clarified that exceptions will only be granted to individuals who have spent a minimum of 21 consecutive days—the maximum incubation period for the Ebola virus—in a non-affected country prior to their arrival in the Emirates.
The implementation of these emergency protocols reflects the UAE’s broader strategy to enhance its national response capabilities to evolving global health situations. NCEMA emphasized that the suspension remains temporary but is subject to extension depending on the trajectory of the outbreak and continuous risk evaluations.
While traveler entry is tightly restricted, commercial infrastructure will remain functional. UAE authorities confirmed that inbound and outbound air cargo operations between the Emirates and the affected countries will continue without disruption to prevent any economic or supply chain bottlenecks.
