Middle East & GCC Visa News
The latest Gulf and Middle East visa news — UAE and Saudi visa rules, GCC unified-visa progress, residency permits, Umrah and Hajj updates, and overstay-rule changes.
UAE Indian Consular Services Suspended June 26-30
The Embassy of India pauses passport, visa, and attestation appointments in UAE from June 26 to 30, 2026, as Al Hind Tours and Travel LLC takes over.
Jun 24, 2026 Dubai Golden Visa Bank Guarantee Replaces 50% Property Payment
Dubai's Golden Visa rules now permit bank guarantees on AED 2 million properties instead of requiring 50% cash payment upfront.
Apr 12, 2026
Saudi Arabia Russia Visa Free Travel Starts May 11 2026
Saudi Arabia and Russia launch visa-free travel from May 11, 2026, allowing 90-day stays for tourism and business.
Apr 7, 2026
Saudi Arabia Offers Fine-Free Exit for Stranded Visa Holders
Saudi Arabia allows stranded visitors to exit without fines or extend visas until 18 April 2026. Visit, Umrah, and transit visa holders affected by regional conflict are covered.
Mar 26, 2026
Saudi Arabia Tightens Umrah Departure Rules, Warns Overstayers
Saudi Arabia streamlines Umrah pilgrim departures with new procedures and sets April 18 as the final exit deadline. Overstayers face fines, imprisonment, and deportation.
Mar 24, 2026
Saudi Egypt Visa Deal: Official Passport Visa-Free Travel
Saudi Arabia and Egypt signed agreement waiving short-stay visas for official passport holders. New deal covers diplomatic, special and service passports.
Mar 20, 2026 Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa Deadlines March 2026: Entry Exit Date
Saudi Arabia sets final Umrah visa deadlines: issue by 1st Shawwal, enter by 15th Shawwal, depart by 1st Dhul Qada. Critical dates for Indian pilgrims.
Mar 15, 2026 Qatar Advisory: Indians Need Saudi Transit Visa
Indian Embassy in Doha issues urgent advisory for Qatar-Saudi border crossings, requiring Indians to carry valid passports and approved transit visas.
Mar 14, 2026
India Grants 30-Day Visa Extension and Waives Overstay Penalty
India extends all visa types by 30 days and waives overstay penalties from Feb 28, 2026 for foreign nationals affected by Middle East conflict.
Mar 13, 2026 UAE Lets Expired Visa Holders Return Until March 31
UAE residents with expired visas can return without new entry permits until March 31, 2026, covering those stranded abroad since February 28 closures.
Mar 13, 2026
Egypt Visa Fee Rises to $30 for Indians
Egypt raised visa-on-arrival fees from $25 to $30 effective March 1, 2026, with single-entry 30-day visas now costing ₹2,495 for Indian travelers.
Mar 11, 2026 Nepal Facilitates Saudi Visas for Citizens Stranded in UAE and Gulf
Nepal will help its nationals stranded in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain get Saudi visas to travel home via operational air routes from Saudi Arabia.
Mar 11, 2026 Indians in Qatar and Bahrain Seek Saudi Transit Visas
Indians in Qatar and Bahrain are applying for Saudi transit visas as backup exit routes after airports shut February 28 with 98% flight cancellations.
Mar 9, 2026 UAE Extends Visas and Waives Overstay Fines
UAE automatically extends tourist visas expiring after Feb 28 and waives overstay fines for stranded Indians. Crisis desk opens with 24/7 helplines active.
Mar 9, 2026 Indian Embassy Doha Issues Safety Advisory for Qatar
Indian Embassy in Doha urges all Indians in Qatar to follow MoI safety guidelines and opens registration for transit travelers needing Saudi visas.
Mar 6, 2026 UAE Waives Overstay Fines for Travelers Stranded by Conflict
UAE waives all overstay fines for tourists stranded by Gulf airspace closures. Automatic 30-day extension for visas expiring Feb 28 to Mar 31, 2026.
Mar 5, 2026 Egypt Visa Fee May Rise to $30 from March 2026
Egypt visa fee could increase from $25 to $30 starting March 1, 2026. Travel association document suggests change but awaits official confirmation.
Feb 25, 2026 Kuwait Launches Freelance Visa for ₹80,000-₹1,00,000 - No Sponsor Needed
Kuwait introduces sponsor-free freelance visa at ₹80,000-₹1,00,000 annually. Indian professionals can work independently without traditional kafala system.
Feb 19, 2026
UAE Overstay Fines: New ₹1,100 Daily Rate in 2026
UAE implements a unified AED 50 daily overstay fine for all visa types, with Indian travelers facing streamlined penalties and stricter enforcement.
Feb 12, 2026
Qatar's New 10-Year Visa Costs ₹90 Lakh Less Than UAE Golden Visa
Qatar launches 10-year residency permit with ₹2.3 crore investment threshold, significantly undercutting UAE's ₹4.1 crore requirement for Indian investors.
Feb 11, 2026 Hajj 2026 Visas Now Available: Early Start Benefits Indian Pilgrim
Saudi Arabia begins issuing Hajj 2026 visas four months early, offering Indian pilgrims better planning time and improved services under Vision 2030 framework.
Feb 9, 2026 GCC Unified Visa 2026: One Application for 6 Gulf Countries
Gulf countries introduce Schengen-style unified tourist visa allowing Indian travelers single entry to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman with one application.
Feb 8, 2026 Kuwait's New App Feature Cuts Passport Update Time from Weeks to Hours for Indians
Kuwait launches digital passport update service via Sahel app, benefiting 900,000 Indian expatriates with 24-hour processing instead of weeks-long waits.
Feb 6, 2026 GCC Grand Tours Visa Pilot Phase: Travel 6 Gulf States
Single visa covering UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman launching Q4 2026 at ₹8,500-12,500 for 30-90 day stays.
Feb 4, 2026