Emirates has issued new travel guidance for passengers entering or transiting through the United Arab Emirates after the UAE introduced restrictions affecting travelers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan. The rule took effect on June 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Dubai time and remains in place until further notice.
Under the updated guidance, the UAE will not allow entry to travelers who have recently visited any of the three listed countries unless they have spent more than 21 days outside them before arriving in the Emirates. The measure applies to all travelers, including passengers using indirect routings.
The change is especially important for people planning summer journeys through Dubai, one of the world’s major aviation gateways. Travelers heading to the UAE for holidays, business trips, family visits or stopovers now need to check recent travel history carefully before departure.
Emirates Warns Travelers to Check Eligibility Before Flying
Emirates has advised customers to review destination entry requirements through official government channels before traveling. The airline also states that travelers transiting through the UAE must comply with the entry measures of their final destination.
That distinction matters for passengers using Dubai as a connection point. A traveler may not be entering the UAE for a hotel stay or city visit, but the full itinerary still needs to meet applicable rules. Indirect journeys can create additional complexity, particularly when several airlines, airports or destination requirements are involved.
Passengers who do not meet the 21-day condition may face denied boarding or major itinerary disruption. During the busy summer period, rebooking can become more difficult as flights fill and alternative routings become less flexible.
Recent Travel History Becomes a Key Requirement
The new rule focuses on where a passenger has recently traveled rather than nationality alone. This means travelers need to calculate the number of consecutive days spent outside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan before arriving in the UAE.
For example, someone who recently left one of the listed countries and then traveled through another destination may still be affected until the full 21-day period has passed. Passengers with multi-city itineraries, long-haul connections or complex business schedules should review each segment before reaching the airport.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also advised UAE nationals and residents against travel to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan unless absolutely necessary because of the evolving public health situation related to Ebola virus disease.
Dubai Transit Passengers Need Extra Preparation
Dubai remains a major connection hub for journeys linking Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. That makes the new rule relevant far beyond passengers whose final destination is the UAE.
Travelers connecting through Dubai should confirm the requirements for the final country, check whether indirect routings create additional restrictions and keep all necessary travel documents accessible. Passports, visas, onward tickets and proof of recent travel dates may become more important during airline checks.
Passengers should also allow extra time at the departure airport in case airline staff need to review travel history or destination eligibility. Careful preparation can help reduce the risk of missed flights and stressful last-minute changes.
flydubai Also Advises Passengers to Recheck Rules
flydubai’s official travel guidance reminds passengers that entry requirements can change without prior notice. The airline advises customers to check with the relevant embassy before flying to confirm the latest entry and exit conditions.
Although the airline’s official pages do not currently display the same country-specific wording as the Emirates notice, the broader message is consistent: passengers should not rely on old information saved at the time of booking.
This is particularly important for regional and international travelers using Dubai for onward journeys. A valid ticket alone does not guarantee that a passenger meets every entry, transit or health-related requirement across the route.
Tourism and Business Travel Depend on Clear Planning
The UAE remains open to eligible travelers, and Dubai continues to function as a major tourism and aviation hub. However, the new rule creates an additional planning step for passengers with recent travel history in the three listed countries.
Hotels, travel agents, corporate travel managers and tour operators should alert affected customers early. Clear communication can help travelers adjust dates, review connections and avoid unnecessary disruption.
As summer demand builds, the most practical advice is simple: check official requirements shortly before departure, calculate recent travel dates accurately and keep itineraries flexible. For travelers using Dubai as a destination or transit point, careful preparation is now essential.
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