Which countries are currently under a UAE visa ban?
The UAE government channels currently do not publish a blanket list of nationalities barred from applying for visit visas, as previously reported by Wego. Widely circulated “nine-nation ban” lists are unofficial and have not been confirmed by the ICP, GDRFA or u.ae.
If a nationwide pause is officially announced in the future, it will appear first on these government channels. Always re-check before applying or booking a flight to the UAE.
Lifting of past bans
The ban previously imposed on Lebanese nationals was lifted in 2023, and Lebanese citizens are again being issued UAE visas as of 2026. Applicants from any nationality may still face standard case-by-case security or documentation checks, which are separate from a nationwide ban.
Individual bans vs. nationwide bans
Government sites use the term “ban” primarily for individual administrative restrictions such as immigration violations, unpaid fines or absconding cases. These come with services to lift or unblock a specific file once the holder is eligible.
This is different from a public, nationwide suspension of an entire nationality. An individual ban attaches to one person’s file, not to a passport’s country of issue.
Overstay fines and grace periods in 2026
The most significant 2026 development is administrative, not a nationality ban. From 11 February 2026, the ICP unified the visa-overstay penalty at a flat AED 50 per day across all emirates.
Grace periods now vary by visa type. The key distinctions are below.
- Tourist and visit visas: No additional grace period — fines begin accruing from the first day after expiry.
- Cancelled residence visas: A 30 to 180-day window depending on occupational skill level, with longer periods for Golden, Green and investor categories.
- Unpaid overstay fines: Can trigger a departure ban, a block on future visa applications, or an entry ban until the file is settled.
A temporary war-related overstay waiver covered fines incurred from 28 February 2026, and a four-week grace extension for expired tourist and visit visas closed on 21 April 2026. From that date the standard daily fine resumed for anyone who had not exited or regularised their status.
How to verify your status
Check only official sources before you apply, book or travel. The portals below are the authoritative channels for UAE visa rules.
- UAE Government Portal (u.ae)
- ICP Smart Services
- General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai
- Your national embassy or consulate in the UAE
- Airline requirements: confirm boarding and entry rules directly with your airline
If you are planning a trip, you can also compare cheap flights to the UAE and hotels in Dubai on Wego, and track live arrivals and departures with the DXB flight tracker. For related rules, see Wego’s guides to the UAE visa on arrival, the UAE visit visa and the UAE Golden Visa.
FAQs
Is there an official UAE “visa ban list” by nationality right now?
No. As of June 2026, no official blanket nationality ban list has been published by the ICP, GDRFA or u.ae. Circulating “banned countries” lists are unofficial.
Can applying through another emirate change eligibility?
Visa issuance follows federal rules with emirate-level processing. Check via ICP and, for Dubai, GDRFA before applying.
My agent says my nationality is “on hold.” What should I do?
Validate independently. Confirm through the ICP and GDRFA portals and with your airline before booking or reapplying.
How much is the UAE overstay fine in 2026?
AED 50 per day. The ICP unified the overstay penalty at this flat daily rate across all emirates from 11 February 2026.
How long will a pause (if any) last?
It depends on the official announcement. If a nationality-wide pause is ever announced, its duration would be stated on government channels, so re-check the portals above.
Sources
- ICP — Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security
- GDRFA Dubai — General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
- UAE Government Portal — Visa and Emirates ID
- Gulf News — UAE overstay fine waiver 2026
- National News Agency — UAE lifts Lebanon visa ban
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.
