ABU DHABI // Emirati and Lebanese citizens in the UAE said they were saddened that conditions in the Levantine country had worsened to the point the UAE was compelled to impose a ban on travel to Lebanon.
A previous travel warning was upgraded to a ban after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced it had cut the number of its diplomatic staff in Beirut.
Nevertheless, there were no disruptions on Wednesday to Beirut-bound flights from the UAE, according to FlyDubai, Etihad Airways and Emirates airline.
“The travel advisory has been issued regarding travel to Lebanon for UAE nationals only,” said a FlyDubai spokesman.
Passengers with existing bookings and scheduled to travel soon were urged by the airline to contact it.
Sara Al Nuaimi, a 33-year-old Emirati from Sharjah, said the ban would be difficult for people with Lebanese family members.
“My aunt is married to a Lebanese and we used to go a lot, until a few years ago when they sent out a warning,” Ms Al Nuaimi said. “My aunt and my cousins still go, and I would have loved to go whenever I wanted to but, until now, it’s not clear as to why there is a ban so I don’t know how dangerous it is. But it’s not easy for people with Lebanese family members.”
Sultan A, a 36-year-old from Al Ain, last travelled to Lebanon four years ago. “I’ve been wanting to travel there again since then, but they issued a warning so I decided not to go. With this ban, we won’t be allowed to go because it’s not safe for us.”
He said he hoped he would be able to visit again later.
“It’s a bit disappointing,” he said. “It’s not our country’s decision, it’s what is happening there. Lebanon is our sister country and we have good friends from there. So hopefully once the situation gets better, Lebanon will go back to its old days.”
Asma Lootah, a Dubai-based Emirati, said the ban had resulted in her passing up a job interview in Beirut.
“They wanted me to come for an interview in Lebanon but I asked a few people and they said don’t go,” she said. “It’s a shame, but if the government is implementing it, then citizens will take precautions.”
Lebanese residents in the UAE said the ban changed nothing for them. “This is not the first time it has happened,” said 36-year-old Caline El K, who has lived in the UAE for eight years. “It’s their decision, but as a Lebanese, I will still go five to six times a year because my family is there.”
Dana Karam, whose family lives in the city of Saida, said this would not affect her travel plans. “I guess it’s because of the instability in the region,” she said. “My family is enough of a reason to visit but I can understand why people who don’t have a connection would get worried.”
Farid Hobeiche, 31, a Lebanese who has been in the UAE for 10 years, planned to fly to Beirut this weekend.
“It won’t affect my plans,” he said. “If it’s due to security, I would postpone it a couple of weeks to see what’s happening, but I haven’t looked into the reason. I still need to go see my family, at the end of the day.”
Soraya Jouzy, who works in the hospitality industry, recently flew back from the Lebanese capital. “The security felt fine everywhere, including at the airport,” she said. “My main issue there is related to health. A lot of people are sick due to the rubbish on the streets.”
cmalek@thenational.ae
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
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Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
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Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
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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
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
