UAE Ebola Visa Suspension: Who Is Affected and What It Means for Your Trip
The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) suspended the issuance of new UAE visas to nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, effective 1pm on 6 June 2026, as a precautionary measure linked to an Ebola outbreak in the region. Existing visa holders, other nationalities, and cargo 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.
- The measure took effect at 1pm on 6 June 2026.
- The stated reason is precautionary: strengthening national preparedness in response to an Ebola outbreak concentrated in parts of these countries.
- No fixed end date has been announced. The UAE has stated the measure may be extended depending on the health situation, which is why this page carries a last-verified date rather than a permanent status.
Does This Affect You?
This is the question most readers actually have. Here’s a direct answer based on your situation.
You are… | Are you affected? |
| A national of DRC, Uganda or South Sudan applying for a new UAE visa | Yes — new visa issuance to your nationality is currently suspended |
| Any nationality who has been physically present in DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the last 21 days | Yes — entry to the UAE is denied, including on transit, until 21 days have passed outside those countries |
| Any nationality with no recent travel to or through DRC, Uganda or South Sudan | No — this measure does not affect your UAE visa application |
One point worth stating plainly: govr.ae does not process visa applications for nationals of the three listed countries while this 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.
The 21-Day Rule, Explained
Entry to the UAE is currently restricted for anyone, of any nationality, who has spent time in DRC, Uganda 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.
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 three countries continue without disruption.
- Transit flights continue without disruption.
- Travellers of other nationalities with no recent presence in the three countries 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. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has separately 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. 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 end date has been set. The UAE has said the measure may be extended depending on how the health situation develops, which means it could also be shortened, adjusted or lifted with little notice. This page will be reviewed and its last-verified date updated as the situation changes if you’re reading this some time after that date, check the current status directly with ICP or MoFA before relying on it.
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.
Frequently Asked Question
Is the UAE visa suspension for DRC, Uganda and South Sudan still in effect?
yes. This measure has no fixed end date and may be extended, so check the current status on icp.gov.ae or mofa.gov.ae if you’re reading this later.
Can I still apply for a UAE visa if I'm not from these three countries?
Yes. This suspension applies specifically to new visa issuance for nationals of DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, and to entry for anyone who has been in those countries within the last 21 days. It does not affect other nationalities with no recent travel there.
What if I transited through Uganda, DRC or South Sudan on a layover?
The 21-day rule applies regardless of visa type, including transit. If you have set foot in any of the three countries within the last 21 days, entry to the UAE is currently restricted until that period has passed.
Does this affect an application already submitted through govr.ae?
If your application involves travel to or from one of the three listed countries within the 21-day window, it may be affected, and we will contact you directly if that applies. If your nationality and travel history fall outside this measure, your application proceeds as normal.
Will cargo or transit flights be affected?
No. Cargo flights and transit flights between the UAE and the three countries continue without disruption under this measure.