The UAE has temporarily suspended the issuance of all new visas for nationals of three African countries — the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan — as a precautionary public-health measure against the Ebola virus. The decision was announced jointly by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), as reported by Gulf News.
Why the suspension? The Ebola outbreak
The measure is a direct response to a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of early June 2026 there were 471 confirmed Ebola cases and 84 deaths. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for the majority with 452 cases and 82 deaths, while Uganda reported 19 cases and two deaths. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that, without strict containment measures, the outbreak could escalate toward the scale of the 2014 to 2016 West Africa epidemic. The UAE visa suspension is one of these precautionary containment steps.
What the measure says
- Effective: 1:00 PM UAE time on Saturday, 6 June 2026.
- Scope: all new visas for nationals of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan are suspended, including visit visas and work visas.
- Entry: entry into the UAE is also restricted for travellers arriving from these three countries, including anyone who transits through a third country first.
- Exemption: travellers who have spent more than 21 consecutive days outside the three countries before arrival are still permitted to enter.
- Cargo and transit: cargo operations and transit flights continue without interruption.
- Status: the measure is precautionary and temporary, and may be extended depending on the global health situation.
UAE authorities have stressed that this is a preventive step to safeguard public health, and the health authorities have confirmed that no Ebola cases have been detected in the country. Bahrain announced a similar entry suspension for the same three countries.
What it means if you are hiring a domestic worker
For families and agencies the practical effect is direct: new domestic-worker visas cannot currently be issued for nationals of Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan who are outside the UAE. If you have a recruitment file in progress for a worker from one of these countries, expect it to be paused until the suspension is lifted.
Workers from these countries who are already inside the UAE on a valid residence visa are not being expelled. The measure targets new visa issuance and the entry of arrivals from the affected countries. Anyone planning to travel should confirm their status through official UAE channels before booking.
Legal alternatives right now
Because the suspension is limited to three nationalities, recruitment from other source countries is unaffected. Families who need a domestic worker now can consider experienced and widely available nationalities such as the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kenya, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, all hired through licensed Tadbeer centres in the UAE.
What to do
- If you are mid-process for a worker from the three countries, contact your licensed agency or Tadbeer centre to confirm the status of your file.
- Consider an alternative nationality if you need a worker quickly.
- Follow official UAE sources (ICP and NCEMA) for any update on lifting the suspension.
- Always recruit through a licensed centre with a documented contract, never an informal arrangement.
Useful links
- Best domestic worker agencies in the UAE 2026
- 2026 GCC domestic worker salary report
- What is Tadbeer?
Sources: UAE NCEMA and ICP official announcement; Gulf News (5 June 2026). This article is general guidance, not legal advice; verify current rules with official UAE authorities and a licensed recruitment centre.
