HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially lifted its suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan nationals, allowing citizens to resume applications for travel to the Gulf country, although travellers will still be required to spend at least 21 days outside Uganda before entering the UAE.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, marks a significant relaxation of travel restrictions imposed in June this year over concerns about the spread of Ebola.
Under the revised arrangements, Ugandans can now apply for and obtain new UAE visas for purposes including employment, business, education, tourism and family visits, subject to the revised health and immigration requirements.
However, the lifting of the visa suspension does not mean that Ugandans can immediately travel from Uganda to the UAE.
The authorities have maintained a mandatory 21-day waiting period, requiring general travellers to have spent at least three weeks outside Uganda before they can enter the Gulf nation.
The updated policy was announced by the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
The new measures revise the strict restrictions introduced on June 6, 2026, when the UAE suspended new visa issuance to Ugandans as part of precautionary measures against the possible importation of Ebola.
The latest decision is expected to provide relief to Ugandans whose travel, employment opportunities, educational plans and business engagements had been disrupted by the restrictions.
It also restores an important travel corridor between Uganda and the UAE, which hosts Ugandans working, studying and conducting business in different sectors of the economy.
21-day requirement remains a major condition
Despite lifting the visa suspension, the UAE has retained the 21-day requirement as one of the key conditions for Ugandan travellers seeking entry.
Under the arrangement, Ugandans intending to travel to the UAE must first leave Uganda and spend at least 21 days outside the country before proceeding to the Gulf state.
This means that the ability to obtain a new visa should not be confused with immediate eligibility to enter the UAE.
The distinction is particularly important for Ugandans travelling for employment, business meetings, tourism and family visits, who will have to factor the waiting period into their travel arrangements.
The requirement is part of the revised health precautions introduced by the UAE authorities as they seek to balance the resumption of international travel with measures to protect public health.
Although the authorities have relaxed the restrictions on visa issuance, they have not completely abandoned the Ebola-related precautionary framework.
The announcement also does not indicate when the 21-day requirement could be removed, meaning travellers will have to comply with the condition until further notice.
Students and diplomats exempted
The revised policy provides exemptions for specific categories of Ugandan travellers, allowing them to enter the UAE without being subjected to the general 21-day waiting period, subject to the applicable health and immigration procedures.
One of the exempted groups comprises Ugandan students who were enrolled in educational institutions in the UAE before June 2026.
The exemption also extends to their family members, allowing students to return to their respective institutions and continue with their studies without being subjected to the general waiting period.
The provision is significant for Ugandan families whose children were pursuing education in the UAE when the restrictions were introduced.
Another category covered by the exemptions is administrative employees of the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in the UAE who hold ordinary passports.
Their family members are also covered under the revised arrangements, enabling embassy personnel to resume or continue their official duties without facing the same travel restrictions imposed on ordinary travellers.
Ugandan holders of diplomatic and special passports have also been exempted from the 21-day requirement.
The exemption recognises the special travel arrangements applicable to government officials and individuals undertaking official assignments.
However, the exemptions remain subject to the relevant health and immigration procedures established by the UAE authorities.
Medical and humanitarian cases to be considered
The UAE has also created provisions for Ugandans seeking entry for medical treatment and humanitarian reasons.
Unlike the general travel category, these cases will be considered individually, with applicants required to obtain prior approval and provide supporting documentation.
Patients seeking medical treatment in the UAE must present approved medical reports indicating their diagnosis, the health facility where they intend to receive treatment and the scheduled date for commencing treatment.
The documentation is intended to enable the relevant authorities to assess the legitimacy and urgency of each application before granting permission to travel.
The authorities will consider such applications in consultation with relevant government agencies.
The provision is expected to benefit Ugandans who require specialised medical services in the UAE and whose treatment arrangements could have been affected by the suspension.
It also provides a channel through which humanitarian cases can be addressed without necessarily subjecting applicants to the general travel restrictions.
However, applicants will have to follow the prescribed procedures and secure the necessary approvals before travelling.
DRC and South Sudan under restrictions
While Uganda has benefited from the relaxation of the travel restrictions, the UAE has maintained its suspension and precautionary measures affecting travellers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.
The two countries remain subject to restrictions as UAE health authorities continue monitoring developments relating to Ebola and other public health concerns.
The decision to maintain restrictions on the DRC and South Sudan while easing those affecting Uganda suggests a differentiated approach to managing travel risks based on the prevailing health situation.
The UAE authorities have not announced a timeline for lifting the remaining restrictions affecting the two countries.
June suspension disrupt plans
The UAE introduced the visa suspension affecting Ugandans on June 6, 2026, as part of precautionary measures aimed at preventing the possible spread of Ebola into the country.
The restrictions affected Ugandans seeking new visas and created uncertainty for people planning to travel for employment, education, business, tourism and family-related engagements.
The suspension also complicated arrangements for individuals and organisations with existing travel and commercial commitments between the two countries.
For Ugandans seeking employment opportunities in the UAE, the restrictions presented an additional hurdle in pursuing opportunities in the Gulf labour market.
Students and families were equally affected, particularly those with educational and family commitments that required movement between Uganda and the UAE.
The November 11 announcement therefore represents an important policy shift, allowing new visa applications to resume while retaining additional health safeguards.
Authorities retain powers
NCEMA and the other government agencies involved in the announcement said the revised arrangements were intended to protect public health while adjusting travel restrictions in response to changing health risks.
The authorities indicated that they would continue monitoring the epidemiological situation and reviewing the measures in consultation with relevant health and immigration agencies.
This means the current arrangements could be revised depending on developments in the public health situation.
However, the announcement did not specify when the 21-day requirement would be removed or when the remaining restrictions affecting the DRC and South Sudan could be lifted.
For Ugandans planning to travel, the immediate message is that new UAE visas are available again, but obtaining one does not automatically guarantee immediate entry.
General travellers must first satisfy the 21-day requirement, while those falling under the exempted categories must comply with the specific approval and documentation procedures.
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