Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations

The situation

In the Middle East, regional tensions remain elevated, however, and recent incidents in Saudi Arabia have renewed concerns about travel disruption.  

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.
  • Update October 20, 2026: Air travel to and from Saudi Arabia remains severely disrupted. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopened on October 18, but is operating with a limited capacity. Several airlines have suspended or cancelled services to selected destinations in Saudi Arabia. Etihad has extended the cancellation of all flights to Riyadh and Dammam until October 24 along with selected services to Jeddah. Other regional airlines have also cancelled services to Saudi Arabia, with no confirmed resumption dates. 
    
• Concessions. The following concessions are in place:
  • 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. 

• • 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).  However, this concession is not available where the foreign national can return to Iran or another country of habitual residence or lawful admission.
    • The Dutch consular post in Iran is operating on a limited basis. You can book an appointment for a Dutch passport, an MVV visa sticker (entry visa), the basic integration exam, the legalization of documents and consular certificates. The number of available appointment slots is gradually being increased.
  • South Africa: The Minister of Home Affairs has reinstated temporary visa concessions for foreign nationals 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 November 30, 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. Individuals whose long-term visas are due to expire may apply for a Visitors’ Visa before their current visa expires, provided all eligibility 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]. 

• • United Kingdom. There is a concession and exemption for entry to the United Kingdom.
• Visa processing and government operations. Immigration processing continues largely as normal across the Gulf Cooperation Council and the wider Middle East. Operational impacts remain limited, although some consular services may be disrupted. In addition, government office operations may experience interruptions or delays in certain locations. Applicants should check the relevant consular post or government authority website before attending an appointment and monitor official announcements for the latest updates. 
• Government office operations. There may be government office operational interruptions and/or delays. 
• 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 - June 30, 2026 - travel to Iran and Iraq for UAE nationals. UAE nationals are banned from traveling to Iran and Iraq. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also urged UAE nationals currently in 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.