The UAE has temporarily stopped accepting tourist and work visa applications from Ugandan nationals starting in 2026.
The same restriction affects citizens from Cameroon, Sudan, and Somalia.
In a travel advisory dated 17 September 2025, the UAE stated, “As per the immigration circular, nationals from certain countries are currently restricted from applying for UAE tourist visas and UAE work permits.”
While the exact reasons weren’t given, the move is believed to be tied to security concerns, past issues of visa overstays, and illegal migration.
Over 100,000 Ugandans currently working legally in the UAE, including those in domestic and salon jobs, may be impacted.
The Ugandan government has yet to respond.
This is not the first time the UAE has enforced such restrictions.
In 2024, the country offered amnesty to undocumented Ugandans, allowing them to return home without penalty.
The new suspension again highlights ongoing tensions around migration policies and the challenges faced by African migrant workers abroad.
