UAE Suspends New Visa Issuances for 3 Ebola-Affected Countries! What Residents and Travellers Must Know

The UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) have announced restrictions on passengers traveling from 3 African countries. This move has come following the ongoing Ebola outbreak on Friday, June 5, 2026, with the initiative aiming to prevent the spread of the virus.

Which Countries are Affected?

The travel and visa restrictions cover 3 nations where the spread of the virus has been recorded, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of South Sudan. The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) had released an advisory on June 3 that the current outbreak remains primarily concentrated in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, while the overall public health situation within the UAE itself remains stable.

What New Restrictions Have Been Imposed?

As per the new advisory, no new visas will be issued to travelers from the affected countries starting 1 pm, June 6, 2026 (Saturday). This includes visit visas as well. The suspension may be extended if health risks continue to increase.

Individuals arriving in the UAE from the 3 affected countries will be denied entry. This restriction is also applicable to travellers who transit through one or more other countries before reaching the UAE. In plain terms, a stopover elsewhere does not exempt a traveller from scrutiny if they have recently been in a listed country.

"Entry will only be permitted for travellers who have spent more than 21 consecutive days outside the listed countries prior to arriving in the UAE."

-NCEMA & ICP Statement, June 5, 2026

The 21-day rule is based on the incubation period of the Ebola virus. It gives authorities enough time to check whether a person may have been exposed to the disease. Travellers who can prove that they have stayed outside DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan for more than 21 days before arriving in the UAE will not be affected by the entry ban.

What Does Still Continue?

Although there are multiple entry restrictions, the UAE has made it clear that cargo flights between the Emirates and all three countries will continue to operate as usual. Likewise, transit flight operations are not affected by the new precautionary measures. This is to ensure that the movement of goods and international air traffic through UAE airports remains uninterrupted.

Who Issued These Measures and Why?

Both authorities, NCEMA and ICP, stated these measures as part of the UAE's broader “preventive and proactive strategy” to address developments related to the Ebola virus and to safeguard public health. The UAE has maintained ongoing precautionary preparedness measures against Ebola, including disease surveillance, early detection protocols, airport health screening readiness, and healthcare system preparedness.

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