UAE Grants 30‑Day Visa Grace for Kenyans Impacted by Flight Disruptions

The Kenyan Embassy in Abu Dhabi issued an urgent advisory to Kenyan residents in the UAE following the announcement of a thirty‑day visa grace period for those affected by recent regional flight disruptions.
A statement released on Saturday, June 20, explained that the UAE government had introduced the temporary measure to allow eligible individuals to regularise their residence status or depart the country without incurring overstay penalties.
The grace period will remain active until July 9, 2026.
The Embassy announced that the Government of the UAE has declared a thirty‑day visa grace period for eligible Kenyans impacted by recent regional flight disruptions.
The Embassy urged eligible Kenyans to remain in the country lawfully or to arrange their departure before the deadline.
Kenyan nationals affected were advised to confirm their visa status and complete any renewal, status change or departure procedures as soon as possible, but no later than July 9.
The advisory comes amid travel disruptions across parts of the Middle East in recent weeks, which altered flight schedules and left some travellers unable to finish their journeys as planned.
This announcement represents another significant immigration directive from the UAE that concerns Kenyan nationals and travellers.
In 2022, the UAE announced plans to extend tourist visas for Kenyans from one month to six months to boost trade, business travel and economic cooperation between the two nations.
At that time, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade said the move was intended to encourage more Kenyan entrepreneurs and businesspeople to explore opportunities in the Gulf state.
The new visa relief also coincides with deepening ties between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi across trade, investment and security sectors.
Recent talks between senior officials from Kenya’s Treasury and Defence and a delegation from Abu Dhabi focused on possible collaboration under the Kenya Defence Forces Modernisation Programme.