UAE scraps ‘visa-run’ rule, lets tourists and business visitors renew short-term visas online
UAE rolls out one-step renewal for Passports and Emirates IDs
Five-year Retirement Visa gains traction as UAE courts silver-economy talent
Latest News
UAE scraps ‘visa-run’ requirement as visit-visa extensions move fully online
The ICP has removed the requirement for visitors to leave the UAE before renewing 30- or 60-day visit visas. Extensions can now be completed online for AED 600, but the Dubai-specific 10-day grace period has been scrapped and overstay fines start immediately. The shift is expected to boost business-trip efficiency and extend tourist stays.
New report says UAE’s strict health-insurance checks now top reason for long-stay visa refusals
A new iPMI Global study identifies health-insurance non-compliance as the leading cause of UAE residence-visa refusals in 2025, citing the country’s fully digital, real-time verification system. Companies now face longer onboarding times and are turning to compliant group policies, while freelancers must secure UAE-licensed cover to avoid costly reapplications.
Bomb-threat email prompts emergency response for Emirates Flight EK526
An emailed bomb threat forced Emirates flight EK526 from Dubai to undergo emergency security screening on arrival in Hyderabad on 5 December. The threat was a hoax, but it delayed multiple flights and highlighted the vulnerability of high-frequency UAE–India routes to security disruptions.
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.