Middle East
UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and more
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Latest Updates
UAE Golden Visa holders get free 7 day return documents starting Oct. 1
Golden Visa holders who lose or damage their passport while abroad can now apply for an electronic return document via the MOFA website. This single-use permit is valid for 7 days and allows long-term residents to re-enter the UAE without a physical passport stamp.
Bahrain airspace reopening leaves 120 flights canceled for June travelers
Regional airspace tensions have led to the cancellation of key flight routes between Bahrain, Dubai, and Cairo. International travelers and expats face significant rebooking challenges, extended stays, and increased costs for onward journeys.
Bahrain self-sponsorship residence permit requires property worth BHD 50,000
Bahrain has introduced new self-sponsorship options and remote work pathways for long-stay travelers. The update includes emergency visa extensions for stranded visitors and streamlined e-visa rules to facilitate easier transitions to residency.
Israel offers 5-year tax break on local income for olim and returning residents
New legislation grants tax exemptions on Israeli-sourced personal services income for new immigrants and returning residents arriving through Dec. 2026. The benefit caps at 1M NIS for 2027 and 2028, significantly reducing the local tax burden for foreign professionals and retirees.
Azerbaijan Airlines and SkyUp Resume Israel Flights as Major Carriers Stay Grounded
Azerbaijan Airlines and two other carriers have resumed service to Israel with 14 weekly flights starting May 2. While major international airlines maintain cancellations, these additions provide more reliable entry and exit options for expats and digital nomads currently in the region.
Israel Extends Visas and Permits Automatically Through May 2026
Foreigners currently in Israel with B1, B2, A2, or A1/A5 visas expiring between April 1 and May 31 receive an automatic three-month extension. No application or fee is required for this extension, which aims to assist expats and travelers during ongoing regional disruptions.
5 ways remote workers qualify for the UAE Golden Visa or Green Visa
The UAE has introduced new visa categories including the 5-year Green Visa for freelancers and expanded the 10-year Golden Visa to include more professional tracks. These updates provide long-term residency options that do not require a local employer sponsor.
UAE tourists and nomads risk 50 dirham daily fines for visa overstays
The United Arab Emirates has reduced the post-expiry visa grace period to just 10 days for tourists and expats. Overstaying this window now triggers a daily penalty of 50 AED, requiring stricter timeline management for digital nomads and visitors.
What changed in Saudi’s Saudization checks
On April 22, 2026, Saudi authorities updated Nitaqat/Saudization rules. Effective immediately, for Saudi nationals to count toward an employer’s Saudization rate (Nitaqat classification), their employment contract must be submitted via the digital Qiwa platform **and** registered with GOSI. Previously, GOSI registration alone sufficed. Non-compliance can lower a company’s Saudization score, affecting access to government services, work permit issuance/renewal for foreign staff, and overall hiring of expats. No direct impact noted for digital nomads or pure remote workers without local employment contracts. (Source: https://www.fragomen.com/insights/saudi-arabia-nitaqat-calculation-now-requires-online-contract-submission.html)
Qatar’s Hayya Rule Leaves Lebanese Travelers Out of Luck
Qatar is ending visa-on-arrival privileges for Lebanese citizens, shifting all entry processing to the Hayya digital platform. Travelers must now secure pre-approval, provide proof of accommodation, and hold a return ticket before arriving at the border.
Qatar’s April 14 Travel Warning Still Has Teeth
The UK government has upgraded its travel warning for Qatar due to heightened regional tensions, potentially invalidating standard travel insurance for expats and visitors. British nationals currently in the country are urged to register their presence and monitor land border options via Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain’s GCC Grand Tours Visa Pairs with Dubai for $130
A new unified visa pilot program will allow travelers to move between Dubai and Bahrain with a single immigration check using QR-code validation. The multi-country permit is expected to cost approximately $120-$130, simplifying regional travel for nomads and tourists.
Bahrain’s 5-Year License Tie-Up Faces a Tense Vote
Proposed legislation in Bahrain's Parliament would synchronize the validity of non-Bahraini driving licenses with residency permits. This change could force expats to renew their licenses more frequently and create administrative hurdles if residency renewals are delayed.
Saudi Arabia’s April 18 Cutoff Leaves Umrah Pilgrims Racing the Clock
Saudi authorities enforced the end of the Umrah season with a hard deadline of April 18, 2026, for Umrah pilgrims (and certain expired visit/transit/final-exit visa holders affected by regional issues) to depart the Kingdom. After this date, Makkah and holy sites become a Hajj-only zone. The single-entry Umrah visa validity was reduced from three months to one month. Non-compliance (e.g., overstaying on Umrah or tourist visas during the Hajj period) triggers fines up to SAR 10,000, deportation, and multiyear entry bans. Visit visa holders are barred from performing Hajj; only official Hajj permit holders may enter Mecca/holy sites. Mandatory vaccinations (e.g., oral polio, meningitis) and pre-booking via the Nusuk app are required, with airlines denying boarding without matching references. These measures were highlighted in updates and circulars around April 18–20, 2026.
Turkey’s 90-Day Visa Break for Australians
Effective April 17, 2026, Turkey lifted the visa requirement for Australian citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism or transit. Australians can now stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a prior e-Visa. This simplifies entry for travelers, including digital nomads and expats from Australia planning short- or medium-term stays (e.g., around Anzac Day events).
Israel’s Ben Gurion Reopens, but Flights Are Still Thin
Ongoing security-related restrictions continued to impact departures in mid-April 2026. Ben Gurion Airport operated with severe limits (one departing flight per hour with passenger caps). Land crossings to Egypt (Taba, open 24 hours) and Jordan remained options but involved extended waits, required cash for fees/visas, and self-arranged onward travel. A U.S. Embassy security alert (published March 31, 2026) referenced assisted departure options valid through April 15, 2026 (e.g., discounted Royal Jordanian flights from Amman), with some related restrictions (e.g., private vehicle crossings) extending into early April. Reports from April 15–17, 2026, noted continued flight cancellations, rerouting, and higher fares due to broader Middle East airspace closures and conflict effects (linked to Iran-related tensions). Travelers were advised to contact airlines directly and prepare for significant delays or alternatives.
Saudi Arabia's Makkah entry rules tighten for Hajj season
Strict enforcement of Makkah (Mecca) entry restrictions began on April 13, 2026. Expatriates, residents, and other visa holders (including tourists and Umrah visa holders) are barred from entering Makkah without a valid Hajj permit, Makkah residency ID, or official work permit for the Holy Sites. Checkpoints enforce this; violations lead to punitive action. Umrah visa holders must depart the Kingdom by April 18, 2026. Umrah permits via the Nusuk platform are suspended from April 18 to May 31, 2026. These measures aim to manage crowds and ensure safety ahead of Hajj 2026. This directly impacts expats, travelers, and anyone planning visits to Makkah.
Oman's $596M Resort Push Backs a 12.6% Tourism Spike
Oman is significantly expanding its tourism infrastructure with a focus on luxury resorts and eco-tourism hubs. For digital nomads and expats, this growth translates to improved connectivity and more high-end accommodation options across the Sultanate.
Saudi Arabia restricts Makkah entry for nomads and tourists through May 31
From April 13, 2026, Saudi authorities strictly enforced Hajj-season regulations barring expatriates, residents, and others without an official Hajj permit, Makkah residency ID, or specific work permit from entering Mecca (Makkah). Non-Muslims are already prohibited. Umrah visa holders were required to exit the kingdom by April 18, 2026, as permits are suspended during peak Hajj. This directly impacts expats and travelers in or transiting the region.
5 Ways to Secure an Oman Golden Residency Without a Sponsor
Oman has updated its Golden Visa program, offering 5- and 10-year renewable residency permits for property investors in approved zones. The program allows expats and retirees to sponsor family members without a local employer, providing a stable long-term alternative to standard work permits.