The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) confirmed on 4 March 2026 that immigration teams working around-the-clock at all five international airports had finalised travel procedures for 30,913 people who were caught in the Emirates when the country’s airspace shut on 28 February.
In addition to issuing exit permits, officials arranged hotel accommodation, ground transport and meal vouchers while passengers waited for slots on the first wave of ‘exceptional’ flights approved by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
Dubai International, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah airports each operated a skeleton schedule coordinated through newly created air corridors that handle about 48 flights per hour—roughly 20 % of normal throughput.
Not everyone opted to leave immediately.
The ICP said 15,327 visitors were given short-term entry visas so they could remain legally in the UAE until commercial services stabilise.
VisaHQ can simplify that process: its online portal for UAE travel (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lets individuals and mobility teams apply for, extend or track visas in real time while receiving expert guidance on the most appropriate permit for their circumstances, ensuring compliance and peace of mind during the ongoing disruption.
![UAE processes exit clearances for 30,000 stranded passengers and grants 15,000 emergency entry visas]()
The humanitarian measure is aimed at tourists whose original visas had expired as well as transit passengers unable to continue their journeys because of knock-on cancellations elsewhere in the region.
Large corporates praised the speed of the response.
One global logistics firm told The National that clients had been able to reroute high-value personnel out of the UAE within 36 hours of the corridors opening, avoiding prolonged project delays.
Travel-management companies are advising employers to keep duty-of-care records up to date: staff who choose to stay under the emergency visa scheme must carry printed proof of their new immigration status when moving between emirates or checking into hotels.
Looking ahead, authorities warn that airport access will remain tightly controlled; only passengers with confirmed bookings may enter terminals.
Mobility managers should ensure travellers receive airline notifications before dispatching ground transport, and should build extra connection time into multi-sector itineraries while regional airspace remains volatile.
In addition to issuing exit permits, officials arranged hotel accommodation, ground transport and meal vouchers while passengers waited for slots on the first wave of ‘exceptional’ flights approved by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
Dubai International, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah airports each operated a skeleton schedule coordinated through newly created air corridors that handle about 48 flights per hour—roughly 20 % of normal throughput.
Not everyone opted to leave immediately.
The ICP said 15,327 visitors were given short-term entry visas so they could remain legally in the UAE until commercial services stabilise.
VisaHQ can simplify that process: its online portal for UAE travel (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lets individuals and mobility teams apply for, extend or track visas in real time while receiving expert guidance on the most appropriate permit for their circumstances, ensuring compliance and peace of mind during the ongoing disruption.
The humanitarian measure is aimed at tourists whose original visas had expired as well as transit passengers unable to continue their journeys because of knock-on cancellations elsewhere in the region.
Large corporates praised the speed of the response.
One global logistics firm told The National that clients had been able to reroute high-value personnel out of the UAE within 36 hours of the corridors opening, avoiding prolonged project delays.
Travel-management companies are advising employers to keep duty-of-care records up to date: staff who choose to stay under the emergency visa scheme must carry printed proof of their new immigration status when moving between emirates or checking into hotels.
Looking ahead, authorities warn that airport access will remain tightly controlled; only passengers with confirmed bookings may enter terminals.
Mobility managers should ensure travellers receive airline notifications before dispatching ground transport, and should build extra connection time into multi-sector itineraries while regional airspace remains volatile.
More From United Arab Emirates
View all
UAE waives all visa-overstay fines for travellers grounded by airspace closure
Etihad Rail runs first emergency passenger services, moving 350 people from Saudi border to Abu Dhabi
