UAE brings back nearly 500 stranded olden Visa holders as regional tensions disrupt flights

The United Arab Emirates has facilitated the return of nearly 500 Golden Visa holders and residents who were stranded abroad after regional tensions disrupted travel across the Middle East. The effort, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with national crisis management authorities, comes as airspace restrictions and flight cancellations linked to the Iran-US-Israel conflict affected aviation across the region.

Many travellers were unable to return to the UAE after temporary airspace closures and reduced airline operations disrupted flight schedules. Expatriate residents who had travelled for holidays, business or family visits faced delays as airlines suspended or limited routes and airports operated under restricted schedules. Some travellers remained stranded for days or weeks while waiting for flights to resume.

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To manage the situation, UAE authorities launched a coordinated response involving evacuation planning and travel facilitation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “As part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all who live in the UAE, at all times and wherever they may be… MoFA, in coordination with NCEMA, continues to implement evacuation plans and facilitate the return of around 500 UAE Golden Visa holders and residents stranded abroad.”


The UAE’s Golden Visa programme grants long-term residency of up to 10 years to selected individuals. The scheme targets investors, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, scientists, researchers, outstanding students and creative professionals. The visa allows holders to live and work in the UAE without a national sponsor and to sponsor family members. Because many holders have long-term professional and business commitments in the country, authorities prioritised their return during the travel disruption.

In addition to repatriation efforts, the government introduced temporary immigration measures to assist residents affected by the crisis. Expatriates whose residency visas expired while they were overseas can return without applying for a new entry permit if they meet the required conditions. The policy will remain in effect until the end of March.

Authorities also announced a grace period for affected residents to regularise their visa status after returning. Overstay penalties have been waived for travellers whose visas expired due to cancelled flights or suspended routes, allowing them to remain in the country legally while arranging travel or documentation.

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The disruption has affected thousands of travellers across the region. Some expatriates reported rising hotel costs and uncertainty about returning to work while waiting for flights. In response, residents in several UAE cities offered accommodation and meals to stranded travellers until services resumed.

Airlines have begun restoring some connectivity, although flight schedules remain limited in parts of the Middle East. Aviation authorities continue to monitor the situation as airspace restrictions ease and carriers gradually increase operations.

More residents stranded overseas are expected to return to the UAE as flight availability improves. Authorities say they will continue to monitor developments and support residents affected by the regional travel disruption.