Iranian nationals: what is officially known in 2025-2026
Checked on 8 October 2026
This note is factual and changes quickly; our staff check the current position before any application.
What happened: - June 2025: ICP waived overstay fines for Iranian visitors and residents unable to return because of airspace closure, valid until 31 December 2025. - 28 February 2026: a regional conflict closed airspace; ICP waived overstay fines for people unable to leave (all nationalities), ending with a final grace period of 10 June to 9 July 2026. - From 1 April 2026: Emirates, Etihad and flydubai published that Iranian passport holders could not enter or transit the UAE, with exemptions (for example Golden Visa holders, spouses of UAE nationals, children of Emirati mothers and some professional categories). Khaleej Times later noted the airline page had changed; a September 2026 review could not confirm the current rule from official sources. - 2 April 2026: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called media claims about the residency status of Iranians inaccurate and said the Iranian community is a valued part of UAE society. - 24 September 2026: the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority suspended flights by Iranian airlines to and from the UAE until further notice (WAM). The announcement does not mention the entry rules for Iranian passport holders.
General rules that apply as for everyone: passport valid at least 6 months for visas; 180-day absence rule; overstay fines.
What to do: before travelling or applying for any visa, ask us to check with GDRFA/ICP and with your airline using your passport, residence and full itinerary. Do not rely on social-media posts.
Government rules and fees change. This guide was correct when our team checked it; a consultant confirms the details for your own case before anything is submitted.
Official sources
- UAE MOFA – UAE affirms embrace of Iranian community (2 April 2026)https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/mediahub/news/2026/4/2/uae-iran
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – UAE refutes reports on residency status (2 April 2026)https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-refutes-reports-on-residency-status-iranian-community
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – UAE airlines entry/transit rules for Iranian nationals (April 2026, with later editor note)https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/aviation/uae-airlines-entry-transit-rules-iranian-nationals
- Wego (secondary, updated 7 Sept 2026) – status reviewhttps://blog.wego.com/did-uae-ban-iranian-nationals-from-entry-and-transit/
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – fines waived for Iranians (June 2025)https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/mena/israel-iran-conflict-uae-iranians-waived-overstay-fines
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – 30-day grace period June-July 2026https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-grants-30-day-grace-period-individuals-with-expired-visas-regularise-status
- WAM (Spanish) – GCAA suspends flights of Iranian airlines to and from the UAE (24 Sep 2026)https://www.wam.ae/es/article/17fvfh1-autoridad-general-aviaci%C3%B3n-civil-suspende-los
- Khaleej Times (secondary) – UAE suspends flights by Iranian airlines (24 Sep 2026)https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/aviation/uae-suspends-flights-by-iranian-airlines-september-24-2026-us-ban-war
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