Gulf state imposes strict precautionary measures on nationals from Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan as Ebola outbreak raises regional health concerns.
The United Arab Emirates has suspended the issuance of all new visas-including visit and work visas-for nationals of three Ebola-affected African countries and imposed tight entry restrictions on travellers from those nations.
The measures, which took effect on June 2026, target the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan amid a worsening Ebola virus disease outbreak in parts of East and Central Africa.
Precautionary health measures:
According to a joint directive from the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), travellers who have recently visited or transited through the three countries will be denied entry unless they have spent more than 21 days outside the affected nations prior to arrival in the UAE.
The restrictions aim to strengthen national preparedness and prevent any potential spread of the deadly virus into the Gulf country, which serves as a major international travel and business hub. Essential cargo flights and regular airport transit operations remain unaffected by the new rules.
UAE Responds to Ebola Spread:
Health authorities have expressed concern over the recent surge in Ebola cases, particularly in remote and conflict-affected areas where illegal mining and population movement have complicated containment efforts. The move by the UAE follows similar precautionary steps taken by several other countries in response to the outbreak.
The UAE has a large expatriate population from Africa and maintains strong economic ties with the continent. Officials emphasised that the measures are temporary and subject to review based on the evolving epidemiological situation.
As global health bodies monitor the outbreak closely, the UAE’s decision reflects growing international efforts to balance public health safety with continued regional connectivity.