Federal Authority publishes one-stop guide to 11 key UAE visa changes before 2026
Winter fog snarls Gulf air traffic: 1,310 flights delayed, DXB imposes three-hour rule
New anti-drug decree makes deportation mandatory for foreign offenders
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Dubai rolls out city-wide contact-less hotel check-in linked to immigration biometrics
A new DET platform lets visitors finish hotel registration on their phones before arrival, using the same biometrics that speed them through DXB immigration. All licensed hotels can plug in at no cost, promising shorter queues and smoother corporate group arrivals.
Paid 1 January holiday set to super-charge UAE outbound travel at start of 2026
The UAE has declared 1 January 2026 a paid holiday for private-sector staff, creating a likely four-day weekend. Airports expect a surge in outbound leisure and assignment travel, and companies are urged to plan staffing and visa logistics now.
ICP lists ‘11 visa rule changes’ mobility teams must master before 2026
The UAE’s immigration authority has bundled 11 key visa reforms—from five-year multiple-entry visit permits to wider Golden-Visa criteria—into a single reference list. Corporates must digest new salary bands for family sponsorship and note that several visit visas can now be converted to work status without an exit run, cutting project lead-times.
Dubai launches citywide contact-less hotel check-in, setting new benchmark for friction-free arrivals
Dubai has moved from property-specific mobile check-ins to a single emirate-wide platform that lets travellers register remotely and unlock rooms with facial recognition. The scheme dovetails with DXB’s biometric immigration lanes, cuts lobby wait-times, and gives hotels real-time arrival data—important for corporates moving large teams in and out during project spikes.
1,310 flights delayed across Gulf hubs; DXB issues three-hour rule as winter fog bites
A dense-fog-triggered chain reaction on 10 December produced 1,310 delays across Gulf airports, with Dubai bearing the brunt. DXB now insists on a three-hour early-arrival buffer, and mobility teams are extending layovers and checking visa validity to mitigate cascading schedule changes.
New anti-drug decree makes deportation automatic for foreign offenders
A decree effective 12 December mandates automatic deportation of any foreigner convicted of drug offences and lifts minimum sentences and fines. Employers hosting expatriates must strengthen compliance training and be ready for immediate visa cancellations and repatriation costs if violations occur.
Extra New-Year holiday to boost outbound traffic as UAE grants January 1 paid leave to private sector
The UAE has declared 1 January 2026 a paid holiday for all private-sector workers. The move is expected to spur a long-weekend travel surge, adding strain to airports already in peak-season mode and requiring corporates to double-check early-January staffing plans.