Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations

The situation

Following the United States and Israel launching an airstrike campaign targeting Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes, there are closed airspaces and flight suspensions in the region.

Fragomen is closely monitoring the situation. Our priority is to support clients in navigating uncertainties, ensuring employee safety and business continuity.

A closer look

• Airspace closures and flight operations. Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have all closed (or partially closed) their airspaces. Many airlines have announced the suspension of flights to the Middle East.
• Land borders. There are reports of land border closures in the region. Check with local authorities for information.
• Concessions. The following concessions are in place:

  • Bahrain. 

    • Holders of all types of visit entry visas who are currently inside the country and whose visa expired on or after February 28, 2026 will be automatically extended for one month from April 9, 2026, the date the airspace reopened. All related fines and applicable fees will be waived during this period.
    • All types of unused visit entry visas as of February 28, 2026 will be automatically extended for an additional three months. 
  • Canada. The Canadian government has introduced updated measures to support Iranian nationals who are temporary residents in Canada.  
  • India. The Ministry of External Affairs has announced that foreign nationals currently in India whose travel plans have been disrupted and who require visa extensions or assistance in regularizing their stay are advised to contact their nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The relevant FRRO will support affected foreign nationals in completing the necessary formalities to ensure lawful Indian stay during this period of disruption. 
  • Iraqi Kurdistan. Effective April 27, 2026, for a period of 90 days, holders of expired visas or residency cards who wish to renew, extend, obtain residency, or exit the Kurdistan Region will be required to pay only 25% of the applicable overstay fines. During this period, individuals will be exempt from additional legal action for overstay violations. Following the 90-day period, standard penalties under existing regulations will resume.  
  • Israel. The validity of B-1, B-2, B-4, A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, DCL permit (for family reunification and humanitarian) expiring between February 22, 2026 and May 2026 will be automatically extended by three months: It is not clear whether employer-sponsored B-1 work visas (such as Experts) are being automatically extended. 

• • Kuwait 
    • All types of visit entry visas that have expired or are due to expire will be automatically extended for an additional month, effective March 28, 2026. All related fines and applicable fees will be waived during this period.
    • Residents that are currently outside Kuwait and have exceeded the permitted absence period and are unable to return to the Kuwait will automatically be granted a three-month absence permit, exempt from fines and fees.
    • These measures may be extended further depending on regional developments.
  • Netherlands 
    • Foreign nationals who demonstrate that, due to the current situation in Iran or related disruptions to travel routes, they cannot leave the Schengen area in time to return to Iran or another country of habitual residence or lawful admission, can apply to have their short-term visas extended for the duration of the impediment, up to a maximum of 90 days (the total stay may not exceed 180 days).  
    • For entry visas that cannot be collected on time because a consular post is temporarily closed or not providing services, the collection period may be extended once by up to three months. 
    • If a foreign national cannot travel to the Netherlands in time due to the situation in the Middle East and the entry visa is about to expire, authorities may issue a new entry visa valid for 90 days. 
    • Non-legalized documents may be accepted for applicants seeking Dutch visas in Iran.  

  • Qatar

    • The Ministry of Interior has announced a one-month automatic extension for all entry visa categories that have expired or are nearing expiry.
    • Extensions are processed online without additional fees.
    • Foreign nationals with pre-February 28, 2026 visa violations must settle overstay fines to qualify.
  • Saudi Arabia.
    
    • The Indian Embassy in Doha announced a temporary measure permitting Indian nationals registered with the Indian Embassy in Doha to exit Doha and enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia via the Salwa border under an emergency entry arrangement. This would enable eligible travelers to obtain an emergency visa upon entry and proceed with onward travel through major Saudi airports.
    • The Indian Embassy in Bahrain has also announced a temporary measure allowing Indian nationals to register with the Indian Embassy in Bahrain for assistance in exiting Bahrain and entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under this arrangement, the Indian Embassy will coordinate with both the Embassy of Bahrain and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to facilitate emergency entry where necessary.

  • South Africa.

    • • The Minister of Home Affairs has introduced temporary concessions for airline passengers and crew affected by airspace closures in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan and Oman, valid until May 31, 2026, or until travel resumes following a ceasefire, whichever comes first. These concessions apply to the following: 

        • • • Visitors’ visa holders. Affected individuals who have reached the maximum validity period and whose visa is not renewable may apply for a new visa with the same conditions for up to three months.

            • Long-term visa holders. Long-term visas expiring on or before March 31, 2026, may apply for a Visitors’ Visa before expiry, provided all requirements are met, with no change of status permitted.

            • Expired temporary residence visas. Renewal applications may be submitted without first obtaining a Form 20 authorization.

            • Overstays. Applicants with pending applications who are awaiting travel due to airspace closures will not be declared undesirable for overstaying. Additionally, individuals who were declared undesirable upon departure, or who were unable to depart on time due to overstays linked to airspace closures as of February 26, 2026, may submit an appeal with supporting evidence to [email protected].  

  • Thailand. Foreign nationals in Thailand whose permitted stay rights have expired and who are unable to depart due to the Middle East airspace closure may either leave the country once travel resumes without overstay penalties or apply for a Temporary Stay Extension of up to 30 days, subject to the immigration department’s discretion.  Applicants must submit a copy of their passport, the required application forms and a letter explaining the necessity for the extension to support their request. 
  • United Arab Emirates: The Dubai government has approved an AED 1 billion support package for businesses in Dubai, focused on temporary fee deferrals, cost relief, and administrative flexibility. Measures include short-term deferral of selected government fees, faster residency processing, and extended customs clearance timelines. Some free zones are also offering supplementary support to small- and medium-size enterprises, including rent incentives and fee waivers.
  • United Kingdom. There is a new concession and exemption for entry to the United Kingdom.
• Visa processing. Operations at consular posts in the region have been impacted. For the latest on a specific post's operational status, check the post website and announcements. In addition, operations at consular posts in other regions might also be impacted due to security concerns. For example, all Israeli consular posts have temporarily suspended services. 
• Government office operations. There may be government office operational interruptions and/or delays. For example, In Israel, government offices, including the Population Authority, are operating with reduced personnel and with limited services, which may result in delayed processing times.  
• Emergency travel documents. Those who need travel documents or emergency passports should contact their local consular post. Those who have a second citizenship should contact both consular posts.
• Travel restrictions. 
  
  • Update - May 4, 2026 - travel to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon for UAE nationals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has imposed a travel ban on UAE nationals from traveling to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. The duration of the ban has not been specified. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also urged UAE nationals currently in any of these countries to arrange their immediate return to the United Arab Emirates and to contact the Ministry through its dedicated emergency hotline at +971 800 44444. 
• Stricter screening. Authorities in several countries have introduced stricter screening measures, resulting in additional documentation requests for certain visa categories and the suspension of visa-on-arrival facilities for select nationalities (requiring visas to be obtained in advance). While visa-on-arrival continues to be issued at most border posts, decisions are increasingly discretionary and may not always align with standard, official guidelines; travellers are therefore advised to obtain a visa in advance where possible. In practice, this means that previously straightforward immigration processes may now involve additional steps, longer processing times, or last-minute changes at both the visa application stage and at the point of entry. While these measures appear precautionary, most immigration processes continue to operate, albeit with increased scrutiny. These measures may be introduced at short notice and are not being applied uniformly across the region. Outcomes may vary on a case-by-case basis, even where eligibility criteria appear to be met. 

Impact

Foreign nationals should:

• Monitor government updates and register their presence at their respective embassy where requested/able. This article provides helpful links for European nationals seeking to register their presence.
• Monitor official communications from their respective governments closely.

Organizations should: 

• Connect your mobility, immigration, travel desk and security teams (identify senior point of contact).
• Confirm the location, safety, and wellbeing of employees and dependents across the Middle East. 
• Communicate to your foreign national population in the region to register their presence with their respective embassy for the latest advice from their respective governments. 
• Ensure you have up-to-date nationality, visa, dependent, and contact information for impacted populations. 
• Review upcoming business travel and assignments into and within the region, including contingency options. 
• Communicate clearly and regularly with affected employees, including escalation and emergency contacts. 
• Review policies on non-essential travel and align them with current government advisories. 
• Revisit relocation, evacuation, shelter-in-place, and remote work plans to ensure they remain operational. 

Looking ahead

The situation is fluid but is expected to escalate quickly and broadly in the region. Access the microsite here for more updates.

Fragomen is actively monitoring developments and will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves. We are available to discuss tailored scenario planning based on your workforce footprint.

This alert is provided for informational purposes only. Please contact your Fragomen immigration professional or click here to reach us if you have any questions.