DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates has lifted its suspension on issuing new visas to Ugandan nationals, ending a restriction introduced five months ago over concerns about the Ebola virus. However, the decision comes with new entry conditions that travelers must meet before being admitted into the country.
The announcement was made Wednesday by the UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA), working alongside the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
Under the revised regulations, Ugandans are eligible to apply for new visas, but entry into the UAE will generally be permitted only after they have spent at least 21 days outside Uganda. The requirement means that securing a visa does not necessarily guarantee immediate admission into the country.
The decision marks a significant change in the UAE’s travel policy toward Uganda, which was among three African countries affected by precautionary measures introduced in June 2026 following developments linked to Ebola.
The restrictions, which took effect June 6, suspended the issuance of new visas, including visit visas, to nationals of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. They also limited entry for travelers arriving from the affected countries, including those passing through other nations without completing the required waiting period.
The latest announcement provides renewed opportunities for Ugandans seeking to travel to the UAE for business, employment, education, family visits and other purposes, although applicants must still satisfy the relevant immigration and public health requirements.
Authorities have also made special provisions for Ugandan students who enrolled in educational institutions in the UAE before June 2026. These students, together with their family members, will be allowed to enter under approved health procedures.
Administrative employees working at Uganda’s embassy in the UAE who hold ordinary passports will also qualify for entry alongside their families, subject to the applicable requirements.
The revised measures further accommodate Ugandan government officials traveling on diplomatic and special passports. Their admission will be handled in coordination with the relevant authorities and in accordance with health procedures established for exempted categories.
Ugandans seeking entry for medical treatment or humanitarian reasons will have their applications considered individually rather than through a general exemption.
Patients traveling for treatment must present approved medical documentation indicating their diagnosis, the healthcare facility where treatment is expected to take place and the scheduled date for beginning medical care.
These applications will be reviewed in consultation with the relevant UAE authorities, with decisions determined by the circumstances of each case and existing regulations.
The easing of restrictions follows continued assessments of the Ebola situation. In September, UAE authorities had already announced an adjustment to precautionary measures affecting Uganda, citing the end of the country’s outbreak and the completion of the internationally established monitoring period.
Despite the changes affecting Uganda, the UAE has maintained its existing precautionary restrictions on nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, where authorities continue to monitor developments related to the virus.
The three UAE agencies said the revised policy reflects efforts to balance public health protection with changing assessments of the risks associated with international travel.
For Ugandans planning journeys to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other destinations in the Emirates, the announcement restores access to new visa applications but leaves an important travel condition in place. Applicants will need to consider the 21-day requirement when making their travel arrangements.
UAE authorities have not announced when the remaining entry condition for Ugandans might be removed. They say precautionary measures will remain under review and may be adjusted as new public health information becomes available.
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