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The UAE will ease travel restrictions from six countries on its flight ban list to allow some residents, who are stranded abroad, to fly back to the Emirates.
The government said all vaccinated individuals, as well as unvaccinated people in certain job categories, can seek permission to return from August 5.
The decision includes people who are in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda, state news agency Wam reported.
I want to get back to work. I heard this news about people being allowed back and I’m happy this could happen soon
Nathiya Fethaleese,
staff nurse stranded in India
Travellers must have a valid UAE residency and have proof of having received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine in the Emirates.
Unvaccinated people in certain categories can also return
There are further exemptions that cover people who are not vaccinated.
They include medical workers, teachers at schools and universities in the Emirates, students, residents with extenuating circumstances, patients undergoing medical treatment in the UAE and employees who work for federal or local government agencies.
These people must apply for permission to return on the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship website. On Tuesday, the site did not appear to have a section where people could seek permission to travel.
Returning residents must also obtain a negative PCR test result received within 48 hours from their date of travel. A rapid test will be conducted before boarding the flight and travellers will undergo precautionary measures, including further PCR testing and quarantine, on arrival to the UAE.
Delegates and business people, as well as golden visa residents, were previously allowed to return to the UAE from anywhere on the banned travel list, as long as they had obtained prior approval.
Relief for stranded expats
Restrictions on passengers from India flying to the UAE have been in place since April 24 and from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh since May 12.
A handful of exemptions allowed diplomatic staff, stranded Emiratis and golden visa holders to return on flights.
People who flew to the six countries for holidays, weddings and to see family found themselves unable to return. The UAE imposed entry restrictions on anyone who had been in these countries for 14 days.
Those who could afford to flew to other countries, particularly the Caucasus, eastern Europe, and even East Africa before flying home to the Emirates.
A Dubai nurse said she is looking forward to returning to her job in the UAE after close to four months of being stuck in India.
“I’m waiting for a flight and for approvals,” said Nathiya Fethaleese, a nurse with a Dubai hospital who has worked in the UAE for more than 12 years.
“Now I’m hoping I will get on the flight to Dubai soon.”
Ms Fethaleese has taken both doses of Sinopharm in the UAE and has been in India since April 13 to visit family for a three-week vacation.
Her hospital has been trying to get clearance for medics stuck in India and she is hopeful the process will come through quickly.
“My company said to come back when possible and to be safe in India,” she said.
“But I want to get back to work. I heard this news about people being allowed back and I’m happy this could happen soon now.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- Margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars
- Energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- Infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes
- Many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
