What’s being claimed on social media
Social media posts and some news sites report that the UAE has suspended new tourist and/or work visas for citizens of nine or more countries, including:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Many of these reports cite an “internal circular,” but none link to or provide an official document from UAE authorities.
What is verified
Wego looked into the speculative claims and found the following to be verified information as of the moment:
Bangladesh’s embassy has denied any ban.
Bangladeshi Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Tareq Ahmed, and the Bangladesh Embassy in the UAE have both publicly denied reports of a visa ban for Bangladeshi citizens in the UAE.
“From what we understand, this may be a malicious post,” the Ambassador told the media.
The claim originated from a non-official visa website.
The viral reports originate from the website “uaevisaonline.com,” which is not affiliated with the UAE government or the ICP. Authorities have since warned against relying on such third-party sites.
No public announcement has been made by the UAE authorities.
As of now, no UAE government body, including the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) or Ministry of Interior, has published a statement confirming any country-specific visa suspension.
UAE authorities have warned against fake visa ads.
Earlier this year, the UAE officials warned the public about fake visa advertisements and scams.
What remains speculative or unconfirmed
- The alleged internal circular has not been verified
No authenticated version of the “internal circular” has been released. The narrative is based on leaks and anonymous sources, rather than public documentation. - The list of nine nationalities is unconfirmed
Aside from Bangladesh, there are no public statements from UAE authorities or embassies of other listed countries confirming a visa ban. - Reports of a visa ban starting in January 2026 have been denied
Some outlets claimed a ban for certain nationalities would begin in January 2026. Bangladeshi officials have explicitly denied this.
How to verify your status
Check only official sources:
- UAE Government Portal
- ICP Smart Services
- General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai
- Your national embassy or consulate in the UAE
Check airline advisories, as major carriers update travelers when entry or visa rules change.
Do not rely on screenshots of unofficial social media posts or visa websites.
Book cheap flights to the UAE
