Speaking on RTBF radio on 2 March, Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot provided fresh figures on the scale of Belgian nationals stranded in the Gulf and Levant following airspace shutdowns. Roughly 26,000 people – including dual nationals – are in affected countries, half of the 2,450 tourists being in Dubai alone. With commercial seats scarce and evacuation flights not yet operational, the minister cautioned that citizens “will have to be patient”.
Consular teams are maintaining contact through embassies and the Travellers Online registry, but Prévot admitted options remain limited until regional over-flight permissions are restored. He reiterated calls for travellers to conserve cash, stay in secure accommodation and avoid unverified private-charter offers that have begun circulating on social media.
![26,000 Belgians still stuck abroad as Foreign Minister warns ‘they will have to be patient’]()
In addition to the assistance provided by Belgian consular services, travelers can also turn to VisaHQ, an online visa and passport facilitation platform that tracks real-time entry requirements. Through its Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/), the service can help stranded citizens apply for visa extensions or replacement documents and liaise with foreign authorities, offering an extra layer of support while normal flight schedules remain disrupted.
For employers the update stresses the importance of crisis-communications protocols – especially for project staff on rotational schedules in energy, construction and consultancy sectors across the Gulf. HR should verify that stranded workers hold valid visas for extended stays and explore remote-work arrangements to mitigate project delays.
Insurance brokers note that most corporate travel policies exclude coverage once formal government evacuation advice is issued, making the timing of any future Belgian travel warning a key watchpoint.
Consular teams are maintaining contact through embassies and the Travellers Online registry, but Prévot admitted options remain limited until regional over-flight permissions are restored. He reiterated calls for travellers to conserve cash, stay in secure accommodation and avoid unverified private-charter offers that have begun circulating on social media.
In addition to the assistance provided by Belgian consular services, travelers can also turn to VisaHQ, an online visa and passport facilitation platform that tracks real-time entry requirements. Through its Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/), the service can help stranded citizens apply for visa extensions or replacement documents and liaise with foreign authorities, offering an extra layer of support while normal flight schedules remain disrupted.
For employers the update stresses the importance of crisis-communications protocols – especially for project staff on rotational schedules in energy, construction and consultancy sectors across the Gulf. HR should verify that stranded workers hold valid visas for extended stays and explore remote-work arrangements to mitigate project delays.
Insurance brokers note that most corporate travel policies exclude coverage once formal government evacuation advice is issued, making the timing of any future Belgian travel warning a key watchpoint.
