UAE suspends new visas for Ebola-hit DRC, Uganda, South Sudan nationals

UAE authorities have suspended the issuance of new visas for nationals from Ebola-hit countries - Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan - as an "additional precautionary measure".

Making the announcement on Friday, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) said the move will come into place at 1300 on Saturday, June 6. 

The decision is subject to extension, while cargo flights between the UAE and the three countries will continue as normal.

Travellers arriving from these three countries will also be denied entry to the UAE. It will include travellers entering the UAE via transit through one or more of the listed countries, unless they have spent more than 21 days outside the listed countries before arriving in the UAE.

Transit flight operations will not be affected by these measures.

The authorities reaffirmed they will continue to monitor developments related to the Ebola virus in coordination with local and international partners and take necessary measures in line with risk assessments and approved health standards.

These measures are part of the UAE’s proactive and preventive efforts to strengthen national preparedness and respond to developments related to the Ebola virus.