Iranians face tough new restrictions to enter UAE

n n

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 Middle East war began.

n

The restrictions are the latest sign of deteriorating ties between Iran and the UAE, more than a month into Iran’s Gulf campaign, which has hit the United Arab Emirates harder than any other country.

n

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.

n

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

n

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”.

n

Flydubai said golden visa holders would also be allowed in.

n

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.

n

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

n

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

n

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.

n

The UAE is home to a sizeable Iranian community and has been one of US-sanctioned Iran’s main trading partners, at least before the war.

n

They share deep cultural and historical ties as neighbouring countries across the Gulf, with centuries-old links between coastal communities, trade routes and family networks.

n

AFP

n n