Emirates Warns of Heavy Airport Congestion 2–5 January, Urges Four-Hour Check-In
UAE Banks to Scrap SMS OTPs on 6 January; Biometric In-App Approval Becomes Mandatory
UAE unveils two-year, multiple-entry “Mission Visa” for project-based workers
Latest News
Dubai & Sharjah airports issue New Year’s Eve travel alert as passenger volumes surge
DXB and SHJ expect unprecedented New Year’s Eve passenger flows and are telling flyers to arrive early, use 24-hour Metro services and take advantage of off-airport bag-drop points. Extra smart-gate lanes and immigration staff are in place, but road closures around downtown Dubai could add significant transit time. Corporate mobility teams should warn travellers and build extra buffers into itineraries.
Emirates flags 2–5 January peak-travel window, offers bonus miles for remote check-in
Emirates expects its busiest period between 2 and 5 January 2026 and is urging passengers to arrive four hours early and use off-airport bag-drop points. Travellers who check in at DIFC or Ajman before 15 January earn 2,500 Skywards miles. The airline has lined up 24-hour Metro links and extra immigration staff but warns that congestion will remain high.
MoHRE sets AED 6,000 minimum wage for Emiratis; non-compliant firms risk work-permit freeze
Effective 1 January 2026, Emirati employees in the private sector must earn at least AED 6,000. Employers have six months to adjust salaries; after that, sub-threshold pay will trigger a freeze on new work permits and the removal of the under-paid worker from Emiratisation quotas. Multinationals should review salary bands and update HR systems to avoid permit disruptions.