UAE bans tourist and work visa applications from Somalia starting January 2026

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a temporary ban on tourist and work visa applications from Somalia, effective January 2026. This decision is part of broader restrictions affecting nine countries, which also include Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Uganda, Cameroon, Lebanon, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.

The UAE"s measures come amid ongoing efforts to regulate immigration and enhance security protocols. The specifics of the restrictions have not been detailed, but they reflect a tightening of visa policies for certain nations deemed to pose higher risks.

As previously reported, similar situations have arisen in other countries regarding visa applications from specific regions. The UAE"s decision is part of a wider trend observed globally, where nations are reassessing their immigration policies in light of security concerns.

Further details on the implications of this ban for Somali nationals and other affected countries have yet to be released.