UAE Cabinet launches four new visit-visa categories in largest immigration rewrite since 2019
Dense fog triggers five-day weather watch and rolling flight delays at Dubai and Abu Dhabi
GCC’s Schengen-style tourist visa slips to 2026, prolonging multi-visa burden for UAE-bound travellers
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Sharjah Airport issues three-hour check-in advisory and opens new lounges ahead of New Year rush
Sharjah Airport, anticipating record holiday volumes, is telling passengers to be at the terminal three hours before departure through early January. New self-service, fast-track and lounge facilities are live, but mobility managers should still build longer kerb-to-gate buffers for staff flying via the emirate’s growing low-cost hub.
UAE Cabinet unveils biggest visa overhaul since 2019, adds four specialist visit-visa categories
A Cabinet resolution published on 27 December creates four new visit-visa purposes—AI-Specialist, Entertainment, Events and Maritime Tourism—allowing companies to sponsor short-term stays for hard-to-find talent at lower cost and with on-shore renewals. The move gives employers faster, cheaper hiring options and brings freelancers into the compliance net.
Five-day national weather watch threatens flight delays at Dubai and Abu Dhabi through 29 December
Dense fog and rain expected until 29 December will force Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports onto low-visibility operating procedures, delaying passenger and cargo flights. Airlines have issued re-booking waivers, while logistics firms warn clients of 24-hour delivery slips. Travellers should allow extra connection time through the holiday peak.
Sharjah Airport tells passengers to arrive three hours early ahead of New-Year rush
Sharjah Airport expects a holiday spike and is telling travellers to turn up three hours before flight time. City check-in, online boarding passes and overnight stays near the terminal are recommended to avoid missing flights during the four-day New-Year weekend.
Two new Indian carriers to enter India–UAE corridor, promising cheaper fares and more frequency
Start-ups Al Hind Air and FlyExpress will launch services between secondary Indian cities and the UAE in early 2026, adding seat capacity and pushing fares down by an estimated 10–15 per cent. The move benefits the UAE’s large Indian expatriate community and companies moving staff and cargo across the corridor.
Saudi leads deportations of Indians in 2025, but UAE still ranks third with 2,965 removals
Official figures show the UAE deported nearly 3,000 Indian nationals in 2025, mostly for visa overstays and unauthorised work. Employers should tighten compliance as penalties for hiring irregular workers remain steep and enforcement is intensifying.
UAE’s 2026 regulatory reset introduces income tax and mandatory social-media permits for residents
From 1 January 2026 the UAE will levy a 5 per cent personal income tax, require paid social-media users to obtain permits and introduce other lifestyle regulations. Firms must revisit compensation packages, tax-equalisation policies and influencer contracts before the new rules take effect.