Regional blog Nomad Lawyer reports that Gulf governments are coordinating an unprecedented visa-compliance sweep as diplomatic pressure mounts to restore normal travel links in the Middle East. Dubbed the “2026 Visa Crisis,” the campaign sees the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait simultaneously reinstate penalty regimes that had been relaxed when airlines began mass-cancelling flights in March. Dubai immigration sources quoted in the 21 April story say spot checks at hotels, labour camps and airports have increased 40 % in the past week. Overstayers are being funnelled to expedited exit desks at Dubai–International and Abu Dhabi airports, while those unable to secure seats are required to present proof of a confirmed itinerary within 14 days or risk immigration-court proceedings. Foreign missions from Spain, Germany, the US, the UK and India have lodged formal notes requesting humanitarian waivers for citizens stranded by limited flight capacity. Privately, however, consular officials concede that leverage is minimal while regional security remains volatile. Mobility advisers say companies with rotating project crews in the Gulf must now build contingency budgets for fines, last-minute re-routing via Muscat or Salalah, and legal-status monitoring. “The grace-period era is over, at least for the moment,” warns Sarah Gellatly, Head of Global Immigration at RelocateMe ME. “Expect zero tolerance on visa expiry across the GCC for the rest of Q2.”
Source: Nomad Lawyer
