UAE extends visa grace period for residents affected by Iran war disruption

The United Arab Emirates has extended a visa grace period for residents and visa holders affected by disruption linked to the Iran war, giving them until 9 July 2026 to regularise their status. The move applies to people who had already been exempted from overstay fines after being unable to leave the country because of the conflict. It comes as Indian consular services in the UAE prepare for a separate transition in how appointments are handled.

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The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security said the 30-day window had been extended from 10 June to 9 July 2026. According to the information provided, the measure is intended to give affected residents more time to correct their visa status before penalties apply. The extension is tied to disruption caused by the US-Iran conflict, which had left some people unable to depart as planned.

The policy affects a significant expatriate population in the UAE, including many Indian nationals who rely on the country's visa and consular systems for routine documentation. At the same time, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai are preparing for a five-day pause in regular appointments later in June. That pause is linked to a handover from the current outsourced providers to a new service provider from 1 July.

The timing matters because the UAE hosts one of the world's largest Indian communities, and any interruption in visa or attestation services can affect travel, work and residency arrangements. The transition is also notable because the new provider is expected to take over consular operations across the country, with a new appointment portal due to open shortly before the change. The arrangement is meant to ensure continuity, but it will temporarily reduce access to routine services.

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The current providers, BLS International and SGIVS Global, are due to stop accepting new applications from the close of business on 25 June 2026. Between 26 and 30 June, no regular appointments will be available to the public, although emergency cases will still be handled directly by the embassy and consulate. The new provider, Alhind Tours and Travels LLC, is set to begin operations on 1 July and will manage passport, visa and attestation applications.

What remains unclear is how many people will use the extended grace period, and how quickly the new appointment system will become fully available. The immediate focus will be on the handover in consular services and on whether affected residents can complete the necessary steps before the new deadline. Officials have not indicated any further changes to the grace period or to the transition timetable.

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