UAE Ebola Visa Suspension: Who Is Affected and What It Means for Your Trip

 The UAE suspended the issuance of new visas to nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan from 1pm on 6 June 2026, as a precaution linked to an Ebola outbreak in the region. On 26 September 2026, the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), announced it was easing these measures for nationals of Uganda. The measures for DRC and South Sudan remain in effect. Other nationalities, cargo flights and transit flights are not affected in the same way. Details below, and always confirm current status before you travel.

If you’ve seen a headline about the UAE and Ebola and you’re not sure whether it affects your travel plans, this page is built to answer that directly. It separates the actual rule from the noise, and it tells you plainly whether you need to do anything.

What the UAE Announced

• NCEMA and ICP jointly announced the suspension of new visa issuance to nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, effective 1pm on 6 June 2026.
• The stated reason was precautionary: strengthening national preparedness in response to an Ebola outbreak concentrated in parts of these countries.
• On 26 September 2026, the measures were eased for nationals of Uganda. See the update below.
• No end date has been announced for DRC and South Sudan. NCEMA has said the measures will be adjusted as necessary in line with evolving risk assessments, so the status can change at short notice.

Update: Uganda Restrictions Eased on 26 September 2026

• NCEMA, MoHAP and ICP announced the easing of the precautionary entry measures introduced in June 2026 for nationals of Uganda.
• The stated reason is the end of the Ebola outbreak in Uganda, following completion of the internationally established monitoring period.
• No separate restart date was published for each visa type. Ugandan officials have said a UAE delegation would assess preparedness in Uganda, while the UAE’s own statement set no conditions. If you are a Ugandan national, confirm that your visa type is being issued before you book travel.
• The measures for DRC and South Sudan were not changed and remain in effect.

Does This Affect You?

This is the question most readers actually have. Here’s a direct answer based on your situation.

One point worth stating plainly: govr.ae does not process visa applications for nationals of DRC or South Sudan while the suspension is in effect, and there is no alternative route we or any licensed platform can offer around a government-issued restriction. If you fall into that category, the honest and only answer is to wait for an official update. If you are a Ugandan national, contact our team before applying and we will confirm whether your visa type is currently being issued.

The 21-Day Rule, Explained

Entry to the UAE is restricted for anyone, of any nationality, who has spent time in DRC or South Sudan within the past 21 days. This applies even if you are only transiting through the UAE on your way elsewhere. The 21-day window reflects the outer edge of the incubation period health authorities use for this kind of precaution, so once 21 full days have passed since you left those countries, this particular restriction no longer applies to you. Uganda was covered by this rule from June. If you have recently been in Uganda, confirm the current position with your airline or ICP before you travel.

What’s Not Affected

It’s easy for a headline like this to sound broader than it is. To be clear about what continues as normal:

• Cargo flights between the UAE and the affected countries continue without disruption.
• Transit flights continue without disruption.
• Travellers of other nationalities with no recent presence in DRC or South Sudan are not affected by this measure.
• Anyone who already holds a valid UAE visa issued before the suspension is not affected by it retroactively.

A Separate Notice: Travel Advisory for UAE Residents Going TO These Countries

This is a different measure from the visa suspension above, and it’s worth keeping the two separate. When the measures were introduced, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) advised UAE nationals and residents against travelling to DRC, Uganda or South Sudan unless absolutely necessary. This advisory is about UAE-based travellers heading outward, not about entry into the UAE, and it isn’t a ban; it’s guidance. The 26 September announcement on Uganda came from NCEMA, MoHAP and ICP, so check mofa.gov.ae for the current advisory for each country before you travel. MoFA has asked anyone currently in these countries to follow local health guidance, register with the Twajudi service, and contact the Ministry in an emergency using the official number published on mofa.gov.ae.

Is This Permanent?

No. The measures have already changed once: they were eased for Uganda on 26 September 2026. For DRC and South Sudan no end date has been set, and NCEMA has said the measures will be adjusted as necessary in line with evolving risk assessments. This page is reviewed as the situation changes. Before you travel, check the current status directly with ICP or MoFA.

Related UAE Visa Information

If this doesn’t affect you, you can apply for a UAE visit visa as normal, review the required documents and processing time, or track an existing application. You can also verify govr.ae is a licensed provider before applying.