In a performance snapshot released on 3 March but highlighted again during the 7 March airport-reopening briefing, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security said it had completed arrival, departure and transit formalities for 30,913 passengers across all UAE gateways since the air-space closure began. An additional 15,327 temporary entry visas were issued to travellers stranded in transit lounges so they could move into hotels while awaiting outbound flights. The figures underscore the scale of the logistical challenge faced by immigration officers working with airport operators and airline ground-handlers. ICP activated its crisis-management cell, deployed extra staff to customer-happiness centres and coordinated with hotel groups to arrange accommodation and meals. For global-mobility programmes, the data offers reassurance that core immigration infrastructure remained resilient even under crisis conditions. It also suggests that previously announced service-level targets—such as 5-minute e-gate clearance for residents—can be restored quickly once full schedules return. Companies should, however, audit any in-country staff whose legal status changed during the period—particularly those on cancelled residence permits—to ensure the proper conversion from emergency visas back to work-authorised residency once operations normalise.
