UAE Cabinet introduces four purpose-built visit visas in biggest immigration shake-up since 2019
GCC ‘Grand Tours’ single visa pushed to 2026, keeping multi-visa hurdle for UAE itineraries
Dubai to run Metro non-stop for 43 hours and close key roads as 1 million visitors descend for New Year’s Eve
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UAE Cabinet launches four new visit-visa categories in largest immigration rewrite since 2019
The UAE Cabinet has approved four new purpose-built visit-visa categories—AI-Specialist, Entertainment, Events and Maritime-Tourism—effective immediately. The permits allow single or multiple entry for up to 90 days and can be renewed on-shore at far lower cost than residence visas, giving employers a quick, compliant way to import short-term talent. HR teams must update policies because the visas sit outside social security and forthcoming income-tax rules.
Dense fog triggers five-day weather watch and rolling flight delays at Dubai and Abu Dhabi
A five-day fog and rain advisory running 25–29 December is reducing runway capacity at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, pushing departure banks back by up to 45 minutes and threatening knock-on delays for passengers and freight. Airlines have issued rebooking waivers, logistics firms are warning of shipment slips, and mobility teams are advising travellers to allow longer connections until at least 30 December.
GCC’s Schengen-style tourist visa slips to 2026, prolonging multi-visa burden for UAE-bound travellers
Gulf ministers have confirmed that the GCC Unified Tourist Visa, which would have allowed seamless travel across the UAE and its five Gulf neighbours, has been postponed from 2025 to 2026. The delay means travellers must continue to secure separate visas for each country, keeping costs and compliance workloads high for tour operators and corporate mobility teams.
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.