The Middle East airspace closures that began on 28 February 2026 stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers, and a renewed wave of disruption hit the Gulf in June 2026. Many countries introduced emergency visa relief — some windows are still open, most have now closed.
This guide tracks the current status of each, as of June 2026.
Current Status at a Glance
| Country | Status | What applies now |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | Active until 9 July 2026 | 30-day grace period to regularize or exit penalty-free |
| Kuwait | Active | Automatic 1-month extensions, fines waived during the closure |
| Oman | Active | Overstay fines waived with proof of a disrupted flight |
| Qatar | Ended 7 June 2026 | Standard rules; overstay QAR 200/day |
| Saudi Arabia | Ended | Standard penalties; helpline 992 |
| Bahrain | Ended | Standard rules; NPRA 17077077 |
| India | Ended | Auto window closed 30 Apr; use e-FRRO |
| Philippines | Ended 1 May 2026 | Standard BI extension applies |
| Thailand | Lapsed | Standard 30-day extension and overstay rules |
| Indonesia | Lapsed | Standard immigration rules |
| Maldives | Lapsed | Standard rules via Imuga |
| Sri Lanka | Lapsed | Standard extension rules |
| Israel | Ended | Auto rounds covered expiries through 31 May only |
| Cyprus | Ended 30 Apr 2026 | Re-entry measure closed |
| Jordan, Egypt, Turkey | Standard rules | No deadline-based relief in force; confirm locally |
| UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Schengen | Available | Standing relief mechanisms for disrupted travelers |
Gulf Countries (GCC)
The Gulf states are at the center of the June 2026 re-escalation. For the full regional breakdown, see our GCC visa overstay and extension guide.
United Arab Emirates
The ICP has set a final 30-day grace period, 10 June to 9 July 2026, for travelers covered by the overstay-fine waiver to either regularize their status or leave without penalty. No application is required.
After 9 July, standard fines of AED 50 per day resume. Full details in our UAE Overstay Fine Waiver 2026 guide.
Kuwait
After Kuwait International Airport was struck on 3 June 2026, authorities closed the country’s airspace on 11 June. The Ministry of Interior is automatically extending all visit and entry visas by one month, with overstay fines and fees waived for the duration of the emergency.
Residents stuck abroad receive a free three-month absence-permit extension. Check your status on the Sahel app or the Kuwait MOI portal, and see our Kuwait visa extension guide.
Oman
The Royal Oman Police is waiving overstay penalties for visitors who could not depart because of the disruption. Go directly to your exit point with proof of a canceled or rescheduled flight — no formal waiver application is required.
To stay longer, extend a visit visa once for 30 days via the ROP eVisa portal. See our Oman visa extension guide.
Qatar
Qatar’s one-month automatic visa extension ended on 7 June 2026. Standard rules have resumed, with overstay fines of QAR 200 per day (capped at QAR 12,000). A tourist visa can still be extended once for 30 days via the MOI portal or Metrash2 app — see our Qatar visa extension guide.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s crisis amnesty has closed and standard overstay penalties apply again, including fines, deportation, and re-entry bans. If you were stranded and missed the window, call the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) helpline on 992 or visit a Jawazat office.
Bahrain
Bahrain’s one-month fine exemption for visit-visa holders has lapsed, and standard overstay rules are in effect. Manage extensions via Bahrain.bh, or contact NPRA on 17077077.
South and Southeast Asia
India
India’s automatic 30-day extension covered short-term visas and e-visas expiring between 28 February and 30 April 2026 — that window has closed. Standard extensions now run through the e-FRRO portal. See our India visa extension guide for the process.
Philippines
The Philippines’ free emergency extension expired on 1 May 2026. Standard rules now apply — a first 29-day visa extension through the Bureau of Immigration costs around PHP 3,030. More in our Philippines visa relief guide.
Thailand
Thailand’s crisis-linked overstay waiver was tied to the spring disruption and is no longer being applied as a blanket measure. Standard rules apply: a 30-day extension at any Immigration Bureau office, with overstay fines of THB 500 per day (capped at THB 20,000).
Indonesia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka
The emergency measures these countries introduced during the spring crisis — Indonesia’s force-majeure stay permits, the Maldives’ automatic tourist-visa extensions, and Sri Lanka’s free case-by-case extensions — were tied to that disruption and are no longer in general effect. Standard extension rules now apply. If your overstay is still directly linked to a flight disruption, carry your airline cancellation proof and confirm current options with the local immigration office.
Neighboring Countries
Israel
Israel’s two automatic extension rounds covered visas expiring through 31 May 2026 only, and have not been renewed for later expiries. If your visa expired after that date, contact the Population and Immigration Authority directly.
Cyprus
Cyprus’s emergency re-entry measure for residence-permit holders stranded abroad expired on 30 April 2026. Standard residence and re-entry rules now apply; contact the Deputy Ministry of Migration for individual cases.
Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey
None of these has a deadline-based emergency relief program in force. Jordan continues to grant generous entry permits on arrival and operates Queen Alia International Airport normally. Turkey has no special measure — standard visa rules apply, and Istanbul remains a major rerouting hub. In Egypt, handle any extension in person at the Mogamma in Cairo or your nearest embassy.
Western Countries: Standing Relief Mechanisms
These countries did not set crisis deadlines. Instead, they rely on permanent legal tools that remain available to any traveler genuinely unable to depart.
- United Kingdom — “Exceptional Assurance” protects you from being treated as an overstayer if you notify UKVI that you cannot leave. No fee.
- United States — VWP/ESTA travelers can request up to 30 days of “Satisfactory Departure”; B1/B2 holders can file Form I-539 for an extension of stay.
- Canada — Restoration of Status and “implied status” let you stay legally while an extension application is pending, via the IRCC portal.
- Australia — Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) extensions are available through ImmiAccount before your current visa expires.
- Germany and Schengen — Short-stay visas can be extended for force majeure under EU Visa Code Article 33 at your local Foreigners’ Authority.
What to Do If You’re Stranded
Whichever country you’re in, the steps are the same.
- Check your visa expiry. Relief generally applies only to visas that expired on or after 28 February 2026.
- Gather proof. Keep your booking confirmation, the airline’s cancellation notice, and any rebooking communication — every case-by-case country requires it.
- Confirm whether action is needed. Some relief is automatic (Kuwait); some needs an application or notification. Check the official portal for your country above.
- Act before your deadline. Where a window applies (such as the UAE’s 9 July cutoff), regularize your status or depart before it closes.
To track route availability as flights resume, use the Wego flight tracker, and follow our Middle East travel disruptions live blog for the latest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries still have active visa relief?
As of June 2026, the UAE (grace period until 9 July), Kuwait (automatic extensions during its airspace closure), and Oman (waiver for travelers with proof of a disrupted flight) have active measures. Most other countries’ spring programs have ended, and standard rules apply.
What if my visa expired before 28 February 2026?
The emergency measures only applied to visas that expired on or after 28 February (or 25 February in Saudi Arabia’s case). If yours expired earlier, standard overstay rules and fines apply — contact the local immigration authority to regularize your status as soon as possible.
Do I need to carry proof of my flight cancellation?
Yes. Keep your airline cancellation notice, original booking confirmation, and any communication from your carrier. Countries that process relief on a case-by-case basis specifically require this evidence at departure.
Can I travel onward while my emergency extension is active?
An emergency extension generally lets you stay legally, but it does not always grant re-entry rights. If you leave, you may not be able to return on the same extension. Check with the country’s immigration authority before making onward plans.
Sources
- UAE ICP — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security
- Gulf News — UAE Announces 30-Day Visa Grace Period (June 2026)
- Kuwait Ministry of Interior — e-Visa Portal
- Royal Oman Police — Visa Services Portal
- Gulf News — Qatar to End Temporary Visa Extension from June 7
- Absher — Saudi Arabia Electronic Services Platform
- Bahrain NPRA — Official Portal
- India e-FRRO — Foreigners Registration Portal
- Philippines Bureau of Immigration
- Israel Population and Immigration Authority
- Cyprus Mail — Cyprus Residence Permit Extension for Stranded Foreigners
- UK Visas and Immigration
- USCIS — Form I-539 Extension of Stay
- IRCC — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Australia Department of Home Affairs — ImmiAccount
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
