UAE imposes visa restrictions on Bangladesh among 9 countries

The United Arab Emirates has announced a visa ban affecting nine countries, including Bangladesh, effective from January 2026. 

This restriction will apply to citizens seeking entry for work, tourism, or business purposes. 

According to UAE Visa Online, the affected countries are Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Sudan, and Uganda.

A visa is a critical requirement for foreign nationals entering the UAE for travel, employment, or business. 

While most applicants typically seek tourist or work visas, the new restrictions prohibit citizens of the listed countries from applying for these visas until further notice.

The UAE government has not provided detailed official reasons for the ban. However, sources suggest possible factors include:

• Security concerns: Measures to safeguard Emirati citizens from terrorism or illegal activities.

• Geopolitical tensions: Strained diplomatic relations with certain Gulf countries.

• COVID-19 precautions: Efforts to curb infection spread through stringent entry policies.

The ban is considered temporary and will be reassessed based on the UAE’s security and health evaluations. 

Those already residing in the UAE with valid visas are unaffected by this directive.