UAE grants 30-day visa grace period for Kenyans affected by flight disruptions

Kenyan nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who were affected by recent regional flight disruptions have been urged to take advantage of a 30-day visa grace period announced by the UAE government to regularise their immigration status or leave the country without incurring penalties.

‎In a notice issued Saturday, the Kenyan Embassy in Abu Dhabi said the grace period applies to eligible individuals whose travel and residency arrangements were disrupted by the recent regional situation.

‎According to the embassy, the amnesty period will run until July 9, 2026, giving affected foreign nationals an opportunity to renew visas, change their residency status or make arrangements to leave the UAE without attracting overstay fines.

‎"The Government of the UAE has announced a 30-day visa grace period for eligible individuals affected by recent regional flight disruptions. This is intended to enable affected individuals to regularise their residence status or depart the UAE without incurring overstay penalties," the embassy said in a statement.

‎The mission called on all eligible Kenyans to act quickly and avoid waiting until the last minute to address their immigration status.

‎"The Embassy therefore encourages all eligible Kenyans to take advantage of this opportunity to regularise their immigration status and remain in the UAE lawfully, or to make the necessary arrangements to depart the country before the deadline without attracting overstay fines," the statement added.

‎The advisory comes amid concerns that some foreign nationals may have found themselves unable to travel or process immigration documents on time following disruptions to flights in parts of the Middle East.

‎The embassy further advised Kenyans residing in the Gulf nation to immediately verify their visa status and begin the necessary procedures to avoid legal complications once the grace period expires.

‎"Affected Kenyans are advised to check their visa status immediately and complete any required visa renewal, status change or departure procedures as soon as possible and no later than July 9, 2026," the embassy said.

‎The mission warned that individuals who fail to regularise their stay or leave the country before the deadline risk attracting overstay penalties under UAE immigration regulations.

‎Thousands of Kenyans live and work in the UAE, which remains one of the leading destinations for Kenyan migrant workers seeking employment opportunities in the Gulf region.

‎The embassy said it will continue engaging relevant UAE authorities and encouraged Kenyan citizens requiring clarification on their immigration status to seek guidance from the appropriate UAE immigration offices before the expiry of the grace period.