Iranian nationals face tough new restrictions to enter UAE: airlines, agencies

AFP , Wednesday 1 Apr 2026

Iranians have been barred from entering the UAE with only a few exceptions, Dubai-based airlines said, while travel agencies reported high visa rejections for Iranians since the US-Israeli war on Iran began.

FILE-An Emirates Airbus A350 aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire at Dubai International Airport in Dubai. AFP

The restrictions are the latest sign of deteriorating ties between Iran and the UAE, more than a month into Iran's Gulf retaliation targeting US assets, which has hit the United Arab Emirates hard.

Emirates and flydubai said on their websites that Iranian nationals were banned from entering the UAE, with the exception of some residents related to Emiratis, families and certain professions.

"Nationals of Iran are not allowed to enter and transit," Emirates and flydubai said on their websites.

Exemptions apply for UAE residents who are spouses of Emiratis, children of an Emirati woman or "athletes, bank executives, doctors, families, engineers, investors, senior professionals or traders".

Flydubai said golden visa holders would also be allowed in.

AFP spoke to several travel agencies based in the UAE that reported a high rejection rate for Iranians visa applicants in the weeks since the start of the war.

One travel agency said they had received official instructions not to take on any visa applications for Iranian nationals.

Members of the Iranian community in the UAE told AFP the restrictions appeared to be new.

Tehran's onslaught has already pushed Abu Dhabi to close its Tehran embassy and recall its ambassador, while Iran-linked entities, including a hospital, schools and a community centre have been shut in Dubai.