UAE overstay-fine waiver ends 31 March; travellers urged to exit or regularise status
Reports emerge of Iranian residents losing UAE visas amid regional tensions
Etihad extends free rebooking and refund waiver to 31 March as conflict continues to disrupt travel
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UAE airlines warn of longer flight times as regional airspace closures persist
Etihad’s 29 March operations update confirms that many UAE flights are still operating on longer, detour routings to avoid conflict zones, extending journey times for passengers. Mobility managers should allow extra connection buffers, review travel-time policies and keep staff informed of potential last-minute schedule changes.
ICP confirms 31 March deadline for war-related overstay fine waiver
• ICP says its special waiver of overstay fines, introduced after the 28 February airspace closure, will end on 31 March 2026. • Visitors and cancelled residents who do not exit or change status before the deadline will start accruing AED 50 per day in penalties from 1 April. • Corporate mobility teams must review assignee status urgently to avoid fines and employer-file blocks.
Unconfirmed reports of mass cancellation of Iranian residence and Golden Visas
• Iranian social-media groups report sudden cancellation of Iranian nationals’ UAE residence permits, including some Golden Visas. • No official confirmation yet, but silent nationality-specific visa actions have precedent in the Gulf. • Employers should verify visa status immediately and prepare relocation or remote-work options for affected staff.
Emirates and Air Arabia add limited departure flights as airspace restrictions persist
• Overnight update adds a handful of one-way Emirates and Air Arabia flights out of DXB and Sharjah on 28–29 March. • Seats are aimed at tourists and short-term visitors stranded since the 28 February airspace closure; all services are departure-only. • Employers must confirm remote-work or third-country placements before authorising staff to leave, and budget for war-risk surcharges.
Oman quietly reopens in-country visa renewals, offering lifeline to UAE residents sheltering in Muscat
• Royal Oman Police immigration desks in Muscat have resumed in-country renewals of 14-day visas on arrival for UAE residents. • Extension costs OMR 20 plus any overstay fines and grants a 28-day stay without the need to exit/re-enter. • The policy eases pressure on land borders and gives UAE-based employees sheltering in Oman more time while UAE flights remain unreliable.