The UAE has overhauled its visa framework more dramatically in the past 18 months than at any other point in the last decade. From expanded visa-on-arrival rights for Indian nationals to a quiet suspension of new applications for nine countries, the landscape has shifted fast. Here is what changed, why, and what you need to know.

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Part 1: What Has Changed

1.1 Visa Suspensions — Nine Countries Affected

Confirmed. UAE authorities have introduced a requirement for a Police Clearance Certificate for new visa applications for nationals of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. Applicants outside the UAE must obtain the certificate from their home country, then have it attested by the UAE Embassy in their home country and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE. Applicants currently in the UAE on a previous residence permit must obtain a locally issued UAE Police Clearance Certificate.

New documentation requirement — Police Clearance Certificate

Nationals of the following 16 countries are now required to submit a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) as part of any new visa application: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Uganda. Applicants applying from outside the UAE must obtain the PCC from their home country’s police authority, then have it attested by the UAE Embassy in their home country, followed by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Applicants already inside the UAE on a previous residence permit must obtain a locally issued UAE Police Clearance Certificate instead which can be obtained online from the Dubai Police website or app but if not, you can visit any Dubai Police station for further information.

Processing holds on new applications: Separately, nationals from the following nine countries are reporting significant delays, elevated refusal rates, or processing holds on new tourist and work visa applications: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and Yemen. Note: The UAE government has not issued a formal public statement confirming this list — it is based on consistent reporting from immigration consultancies and observed application outcomes since September 2025. Always verify your status at icp.gov.ae before making travel or employment decisions.

Important: This affects new applications only. Nationals of these countries who already hold valid UAE visas or residence permits are not impacted and may continue to live and work as normal.

Note: The UAE government has not issued a formal public statement confirming this list. It is based on consistent reporting from immigration consultancies and observed application outcomes since September 2025. Always verify at icp.gov.ae.

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1.2 Expanded Visa-on-Arrival for Indian Nationals

Since February 2025, Indian passport holders with a valid residence permit or visa from any of the following countries qualify for a 14-day single-entry visa on arrival at any UAE entry point: US, UK, EU (existing eligibility), plus Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Singapore (newly added).

Source: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security — icp.gov.ae

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1.3 Five-Year Tourist Visa for Pakistani Nationals

As of April 2025, Pakistani nationals are eligible for the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. It allows stays of up to 90 days per visit, extendable by a further 90 days, with no local sponsor required — provided the applicant can demonstrate a bank balance of USD 4,000.

Source: icp.gov.ae

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1.4 Extend Your Visit Visa Without Leaving the UAE

Since December 2025, most 30-day and 60-day visit visas can be extended online via the ICP portal without exiting the country. The maximum permitted stay is 180 days per calendar year. Critically, the previous 10-day grace period has been permanently eliminated — overstay fines of AED 50 per day are now generated automatically from the moment your visa expires.

Source: icp.gov.ae — ICP Smart Services portal

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1.5 Convert a Visit Visa to Employment Without Leaving

As of 2025, if you receive a job offer while inside the UAE on a visit or job-seeker visa, you no longer need to exit the country to convert your status. Your employer applies for a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) work permit and submits an in-country Change Status request via ICP or GDRFA. This saves weeks of mobilisation time for both employees and employers.

Source: Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation — mohre.gov.ae

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1.6 Golden Visa — Who Can Now Apply

The Golden Visa’s 10-year long-term residency has been expanded to include new categories: content creators and social media influencers (via Dubai’s Creators HQ — you can read more about how to obtain the influencer permit here), long-serving nurses employed with Dubai Health (15+ years), educators with strong tenure, AI specialists, humanitarian and Waqf contributors, e-sports professionals, and luxury yacht owners.

Source: icp.gov.ae

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Part 2: Why Is the UAE Making These Changes?

Attracting high-value talent. The Golden Visa expansions and new AI specialist categories are deliberate signals: the UAE wants skilled, entrepreneurial, and creative professionals who contribute to the long term economic outlook of the country — not just transient labour.

Tightening compliance. The suspension of visa processing for nine countries is driven by security concerns — specifically high overstay rates, documentation fraud, and illegal employment. The UAE’s shift to a fully digital immigration system means enforcement is now automatic and the elimination of the 10-day grace period is a direct result. Further, in a period of heightened security due to the ongoing conflict in the region, the UAE has stepped up its efforts to mitigate any potential threats to the general public, where the safety and security of the residents of this country are of the utmost importance.

Strengthening bilateral relationships. Expansions for Indian and Pakistani nationals reflect deepening diplomatic, economic and social ties between these countries. India is the UAE’s largest trading partner and Pakistan is home to one of the UAE’s largest expatriate communities.

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Part 3: What You Need to Do

If you are from one of the nine affected countries

• If you hold a valid UAE visa or residency, you are not affected — but do not let it lapse
• Do not exit the UAE on a cancelled visa, expecting to re-enter on a new application
• Do not pay visa fees or travel without confirming your application has been accepted
• Avoid unlicensed agents claiming guaranteed approvals, fraud is rampant for restricted nationalities
• Monitor official updates at icp.gov.ae and gdrfad.gov.ae
• Whatever a visa provider might tell you in your home country, check with official UAE sources first

If you are an Indian national

• Check your visa-on-arrival eligibility — your qualifying country permit must be valid at time of travel
• For stays longer than 14 days, apply in advance for a 30, 60, or 90-day visit visa via icp.gov.ae

If you are a Pakistani national

• You are eligible for the five-year multiple-entry tourist visa — apply via icp.gov.ae
• Maintain a minimum bank balance of USD 4,000 as proof of funds
• Allow extra processing time for work permits — additional screening may apply in some cases

For all visitors and residents

• The 10-day grace period is gone — set reminders to extend or exit at least 7 days before expiry
• Extend most visit visas online at icp.gov.ae without leaving the country
• Check your visa status anytime via the ICP Smart Services app

For employers

• Existing employees from affected countries are unaffected — focus on smooth renewals
• Build 3–6 month buffers into recruitment pipelines for affected nationalities
• Use the in-country status conversion to onboard new hires faster — no exit required
• Ensure your MoHRE and ICP company accounts are active before submitting new work permits

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Official Sources

• ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security): icp.gov.ae
• GDRFA Dubai: gdrfad.gov.ae
• MoHRE (Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation): mohre.gov.ae
• UAE Federal Government Portal: u.ae

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa rules change without notice — always verify at official UAE government portals before making any decisions.