UAE scraps ‘visa-run’ requirement as visit-visa extensions move fully online
New report says UAE’s strict health-insurance checks now top reason for long-stay visa refusals
Bomb-threat email prompts emergency response for Emirates Flight EK526
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UAE fines 1,300 firms AED 34 million for abusing Emiratisation hiring quotas
MoHRE has fined more than 1,300 UAE companies AED 34 million for manipulating Emiratisation quotas with fake job records. The crackdown could affect global employers that partner with non-compliant local sponsors, reinforcing the need for rigorous labour-file audits.
Etihad and Condor unveil strategic partnership with new Frankfurt and Berlin flights to Abu Dhabi
Condor will launch daily Frankfurt- and Berlin-to-Abu Dhabi flights in mid-2026 under a new strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, announced on 5 December. The pact expands codeshare connectivity and adds 220,000 annual seats, offering new one-stop options for corporate travel between Germany, the Gulf and Asia.
Etihad launches three weekly Abu Dhabi–Kazan flights, opening new Russia corridor
Etihad has begun thrice-weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Kazan, adding a third Russian destination to its network. The route offers faster business-travel options, supports growing trade links and feeds traffic into Abu Dhabi’s new Terminal A.
UAE Overhauls Visitor-Visa Extension Rules, Letting Tourists and Business Travellers Renew Stays Without Exiting the Country
The UAE has introduced an online, in-country renewal option for most short-term visit visas, ending the need for travellers to leave and re-enter to extend their stay. Applications can be completed via the ICP smart-services portal or at Amer centres, with a base fee of AED 600 and tougher AED 50-per-day overstay fines from day one. The change is expected to lengthen hotel stays and simplify scheduling for business visitors.
Red-Alert Fog Blankets UAE, Triggering Speed Caps and Flight-Status Warnings at Dubai Airports
Dense fog triggered red alerts across the UAE on 3 December, forcing automated highway speed reductions and minor flight-handling delays at Dubai and Sharjah airports. With holiday travel peaking, authorities urged motorists and passengers to build in extra travel time and monitor live updates.
New iPMI Report Flags UAE’s Mandatory Health-Insurance Checks as Key Barrier to Long-Stay Visas
A new iPMI Global report highlights the UAE’s uncompromising stance on expatriate health insurance: visas will not be issued or renewed without proof of a compliant medical policy. Digital cross-checks are causing delays for applicants who submit basic travel insurance, prompting employers to upgrade coverage plans.