United Arab Emirates: Special Entry Permit Required for Blue Zone Participants at the COP28 Global Summit
November 17, 2023

The United Arab Emirates launched a special entry permit, called the COP28 UAE Visa, which is required for all registered blue zone participants, regardless of nationality, who are entering the United Arab Emirates to attend the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. COP28 runs from November 30, 2023 to December 12, 2023. The single-entry visa can be used to enter the United Arab Emirates until December 12, 2023 and is valid for 30 days from the date of entry. In order to obtain the visa, individuals must complete the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) registration process, after which they will receive a confirmation email that contains a link to apply for the COP28 UAE visa online. The visa can take up to 72 hours to be processed from the date of submission. COP28 participants who need to leave and re-enter the United Arab Emirates can follow this same process to apply for a new COP28 UAE visa (and can use the same UNFCC registration number). Only UNFCC-registered blue zone participants (party delegations, heads of state, admitted observers β which includes representatives from non-government and inter-governmental organizations β and the accredited press) can apply for this visa; green zone participants (all non-blue zone participants) are not eligible and must apply for a pre-arranged visit visa or, if applicable based on nationality, obtain a visa-on-arrival. Nomadic (who can be contacted via [email protected]) can assist in obtaining visit visas for green zone participants.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Work authorization
Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EBβ5 Iβ526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentationβparticularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.
Work authorization
Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the processβplacing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and longβterm compliance from the outset.
Work authorization
Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canadaβs entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.
Fragomen news
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."
Work authorization
Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italyβs Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering highβnetβworth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structuredβthough not acceleratedβpathway to longβterm EU residence.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canadaβs expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.
Awards
Fragomen is recognised in Ibecβs Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.
Work authorization
Senior Manager Alexander Hood and Senior Associate Lara Hannaway outline how the UK Global Talent visa is increasingly being used by internationally mobile individuals as a flexible UK residence option, examining who the route is designed for, the endorsement process and the sectors currently covered, including the new design route launching in July 2026.
Work authorization
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the closure of Irelandβs Immigrant Investor Programme and outlines the limited remaining options for high net worth individuals seeking Irish residence through approved investment and charitable donation routes.
Video
Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers highlights key updates from the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, including a pause in employment-based advancement, continued movement in family-based categories and a warning of potential retrogression later this fiscal year.
Awards
Partners Parisa Karaahmet, Raquel Liberman and Julia Onslow-Cole and Practice Leader Olga Nechita are recognised in Citywealthβs Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 for their leadership in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on global mobility and cross-border planning.
Work authorization
Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EBβ5 Iβ526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentationβparticularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.
Work authorization
Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the processβplacing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and longβterm compliance from the outset.
Work authorization
Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canadaβs entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.
Fragomen news
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."
Work authorization
Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italyβs Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering highβnetβworth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structuredβthough not acceleratedβpathway to longβterm EU residence.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canadaβs expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.
Awards
Fragomen is recognised in Ibecβs Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.
Work authorization
Senior Manager Alexander Hood and Senior Associate Lara Hannaway outline how the UK Global Talent visa is increasingly being used by internationally mobile individuals as a flexible UK residence option, examining who the route is designed for, the endorsement process and the sectors currently covered, including the new design route launching in July 2026.
Work authorization
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the closure of Irelandβs Immigrant Investor Programme and outlines the limited remaining options for high net worth individuals seeking Irish residence through approved investment and charitable donation routes.
Video
Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers highlights key updates from the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, including a pause in employment-based advancement, continued movement in family-based categories and a warning of potential retrogression later this fiscal year.
Awards
Partners Parisa Karaahmet, Raquel Liberman and Julia Onslow-Cole and Practice Leader Olga Nechita are recognised in Citywealthβs Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 for their leadership in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on global mobility and cross-border planning.
