The Gulf security situation has disrupted travel and immigration processing in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, while separate UAE and Qatar updates affect visa grace periods, residence permit cancellations, and employer compliance planning.
Gulf security escalation and travel disruption
The security situation in the Gulf escalated sharply over a 24–48 hour period following U.S. strikes against Iranian military and infrastructure targets, including sites in Bushehr, Chabahar, and Iranshahr. The strikes were described as a response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that they had struck U.S. military bases at Arifjan and Ali Al Salem in Kuwait and at Juffair and Sheikh Isa in Bahrain. They also warned that further strikes could extend to other bases across the region.
Kuwait’s military confirmed that its air defenses intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks. In Bahrain, air raid sirens sounded, and the interior ministry urged residents to remain calm and move to safe locations.
Qatar, acting as a regional mediator, has been in direct contact with Iranian officials to press for de-escalation. The situation remains fluid and may deteriorate with little notice.
Employers and individuals with operations, staff, dependents, or travel plans involving Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar should prepare for:
- Sudden airspace restrictions
- Flight suspensions, rerouting, or cancellations
- Temporary closures or reduced operating hours at immigration, labor, and government service centers
- Disruption to biometric and medical fitness appointment centers during heightened alerts
- Delays in visa issuance, entry permit processing, and residence or work permit renewals
- Short-notice movement restrictions or curfews near affected military and government installations
Non-essential travel to or through Kuwait and Bahrain should be avoided until the situation stabilizes. Employers should maintain contact with employees and dependents in the region, allow extra time for immigration filings in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, and monitor official government and airline updates directly.
UAE overstay exemption grace period has ended
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security introduced a temporary overstay-fine exemption in March 2026 for individuals unable to leave the UAE because of regional airspace closures and flight suspensions related to the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
After normal travel operations resumed, the authority announced a final 30-day grace period from June 10 to July 9, 2026. During that period, affected individuals could either regularize immigration status or leave the UAE without overstay penalties.
That grace period expired on July 9, 2026.
From that date, standard UAE immigration and overstay rules apply to anyone who benefited from the exemption but has not:
- Regularized status through a residency amendment
- Moved to employment visa sponsorship
- Used another recognized immigration pathway
- Departed the UAE
Employers with employees or dependents who relied on the exemption should confirm immediately that status has been regularized or that departure has been completed, to avoid overstay fines and compliance issues.
DIFC residence visa cancellation process updated
The Dubai International Financial Centre Authority has updated the employee residence visa cancellation process.
Employee residence visas can now be cancelled while the visa holder is outside the UAE without submitting the original passport, if the sponsoring entity uploads a confirmation letter certifying that all applicable end-of-service benefits have been settled according to the relevant regulations.
The previous “Cancellation Outside – Send Passport” option is no longer available on the DIFC portal.
Entities handling offboarding for employees who have already left the UAE should update internal cancellation workflows and prepare end-of-service benefit settlement documentation in the correct format before starting cancellation.
A caveat remains: although the change has been announced, the portal has not yet been updated to allow cancellations from outside the UAE before completion of the six-month rule.
Qatar reduces RP cancellation grace period
Qatar has reduced the grace period after cancellation of a Residence Permit from 30 days to 14 days.
Individuals whose RP is cancelled must now leave Qatar or regularize immigration status within 14 days of the cancellation date to avoid overstay penalties.
Employers and individuals with pending or upcoming RP cancellations in Qatar should factor the shorter window into offboarding, transfer, and relocation planning.
UAE grace periods may vary case by case
UAE authorities may reduce the standard grace period following cancellation of a work or residence permit on a case-by-case basis. The grace period is not always uniform and may vary depending on:
- Emirate
- Free zone authority
- Circumstances of cancellation
- Relevant immigration authority
Expatriates holding UAE residence permits and sponsoring employers should confirm the exact grace period at the time of cancellation directly with the relevant authority, such as ICP, GDRFA, or the applicable free zone authority.
They should not assume a standard 30-day window or rely on grace periods granted in earlier cancellations.
Where a new employment or residency sponsorship is in progress, employers and individuals should build in a processing buffer so that immigration status remains continuously valid.
Failure to leave or regularize status within the actual grace period granted, whether 30 days, 14 days, or shorter, may result in overstay fines and other immigration compliance consequences.
Source article: newlandchase.com
