The UAE has imposed emergency travel restrictions on the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan due to the Ebola outbreak cases going on in the region. The visa suspension takes effect at 1pm on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and may be extended depending on the health situation.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP) have made an announcement that ”All new visas for citizens of these countries are suspended, and travelers from or transiting through them are barred unless they’ve been in a different country(non list) for 21 days. This decision was an additional precautionary measure on Friday to strengthen national preparedness and respond to developments related to the Ebola virus.
Meanwhile Essential cargo flights and regular airport transit remains unaffected by these new rules.
The UAE continues to maintain precautionary preparedness measures against Ebola, including surveillance, early detection, airport readiness and healthcare preparedness, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has said. The outbreak is said to be worsened by mobile populations linked to illegal mining in remote, conflict-affected areas, complicating containment efforts and this is due to unsafe working conditions, poor sanitations and disrupted community health services in such areas.
