Middle East Travel, Immigration & Corporate Mobility: FAQs for Employers

Latest developments

• CRITICAL ENERGY ESCALATION: On March 18, Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field — the world’s largest natural gas reserve shared with Qatar. Iran retaliated within hours, hitting Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex (“extensive damage” per QatarEnergy), Saudi refineries in Riyadh, and threatening the UAE’s Al Hosn gas field, Saudi Arabia’s SAMREF refinery and Jubail Petrochemical complex, and Qatar’s Mesaieed.  
• QatarEnergy CEO al-Kaabi confirmed 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity knocked out; damage to two LNG trains and one gas-to-liquids facility will sideline 12.8 million tonnes/year for 3–5 years ($26bn in construction value).  
• QatarEnergy declared force majeure on entire LNG output.  
• Qatar expelled Iranian military attaches within 24 hours.  
• Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi warned of “ZERO restraint” if infrastructure struck again.  
• Trump threatened to “massively blow up” all of South Pars if Qatar LNG is attacked again.  
• Brent crude spiked above $119 intraday before settling around $108–109/bb
• The total death toll across the Middle East now exceeds 2,200, with the largest tolls in Iran (1,300+) and Lebanon (886 killed including 111 children, 830,000+ displaced). Saudi Arabia intercepted approximately 60 Iranian drones overnight (March 15–16); Saudi Crown Prince MBS spoke with Trump expressing support for continued operations.
• The IDF carried out over 7,600 strikes across Iran in approximately 5,000 sorties, and began “limited ground operations” against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
• President Trump demanded NATO allies and China send warships to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Germany declared the conflict “nothing to do with NATO,” while the UK, Australia, and Japan refused to commit.
• Iranian attacks targeted the US Embassy in Baghdad and Baghdad International Airport.
• Approximately 200 US troops have been injured across seven countries, with 13 killed in action.

Lebanon is now an active warzone

IDF ground operations continue expanding south of the Litani River. At least 1,000 killed (~100+ children), and more than 1 million displaced. Israeli Defence Minister Katz said operations will continue “indefinitely” until Hezbollah is disarmed. Litani bridges targeted. 119,000+ Syrians crossed back into Syria by Mar 18. Hezbollah leader Qassem: “no solution except resistance.” France urged moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure.

As of 20 March, NNA Lebanon has confirmed multiple airstrikes across southern Lebanon. Strikes targeted the Al-Qalaa neighborhood between Abba and Qsaibeh earlier today. Overnight (Thursday–Friday), additional airstrikes were reported in Habboush, Deir Seryan, and the Al-Bayyad area, including Wadi Abba, was also impacted, while Kfar Sir experienced two consecutive air raids at dawn. The situation remains fluid, and individuals in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and follow official guidance. 

Key for mobility teams: Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport remains technically open but with severely reduced operations. The U.S. Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon now while commercial options remain available, but warns flights may be cancelled at any time. All consular services at the U.S. Embassy Beirut are suspended until further notice, with no ability to provide in-country assistance. 

Kurdish ground offensive in northwest Iran

Kurdish-Iranian armed groups have launched a ground offensive in northwest Iran, and U.S. officials have reportedly asked Iraqi Kurds to assist in cross-border military operations, with Kurdish forces currently on “standby.” On March 9, the UAE Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq was attacked and regional leaders condemned the attack.

Naval escalation

Approximately 500 vessels, including oil tankers and LNG carriers, remain stranded on both sides of the waterway. Multiple additional vessels have been struck in the Persian Gulf, including near Jebel Ali and northwest of Dubai. Iran has deployed mines in the Strait of Hormuz; the US has struck 28 Iranian mine-laying vessels. On March 12, two oil tankers were attacked by explosive-laden boats in Iraqi territorial waters near Basra, setting both ablaze. One crew member was killed and 38 rescued. Iraq’s oil ports suspended operations. Iraq condemned the attack as a violation of its sovereignty.

Major insurers formally cancelled war-risk cover for the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude surpassed $100/barrel on March 8 for the first time since 2022 and neared $120 intraday on March 9. Brent surged to $105.66/bbl on March 15 as the Trump administration suggested the war could last weeks longer and allies refused to commit warships to Hormuz. WTI stands at $100+/bbl. U.S. gas prices reached $3.63/gallon (average). The IEA has coordinated a release of 400 million barrels from emergency stockpiles, with the US contributing 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Iran has warned oil could reach $200 per barrel.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations as a “breach of international law”. VLCC freight rates hit a record $423,736/day.  Iranian President Pezeshkian set terms for ending the war on March 12, demanding reparations and international guarantees against future aggression — analysts see this as a possible de-escalation signal.

Houthis represent a continued threat 

The Houthis in Yemen have condemned the attack on Iran but have not yet resumed attacks on Red Sea shipping. However, Houthi-controlled Yemen on February 28th announced that they would resume attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden. On March 5, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stated, “our hands are on the trigger whenever developments require it.” On March 10, Houthis threatened to strike Ben Gurion Airport directly. While no sustained maritime attacks have been independently confirmed, the threat posture has escalated significantly, and Red Sea war risk premiums are rising.

U.S. Travel Advisories

The US State Department has issued a “DEPART NOW” advisory for 16 Middle Eastern countries. The advisory applies to Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen. 

Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, and Israel are now classified as Level 3 (“reconsider travel”). Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan have been upgraded to Level 3 (“reconsider travel”). Iraq has been raised to Level 4 (“do not travel”). The State Department ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family members in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE. On March 9, the Department of State also ordered the departure of non-emergency staff from the U.S. Consulate in Adana, Turkey, suspending all consular services there. 

U.S. Embassy Status

• U.S. Embassy Kuwait: The US Embassy in Kuwait was struck and closed indefinitely. 
• U.S. Embassy Beirut: All consular services suspended until further notice. The Embassy has no ability to provide in-country assistance to U.S. citizens. 
• U.S. Embassy Jerusalem: Routine consular services suspended. Outbound flights from Ben Gurion partially resumed March 8 with severe restrictions (max 70–100 passengers per flight, two narrow-body departures per hour). The Embassy is offering bus service to Taba for U.S. citizens needing assisted departure. 
• U.S. Embassy UAE: Non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members were ordered to leave on March 2. Routine visa and citizen services postponed. The State Department began operating assistance flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai on March 4. Americans can complete a crisis intake form at mytravel.state.gov/s/ for departure assistance. 
• U.S. Embassy Saudi Arabia: Closed March 19–24 for Eid Al-Fitr; non-emergency inquiries delayed until March 25. All U.S. government employees in Saudi Arabia directed to shelter in place.
• U.S. Embassy Lebanon: Closed to the public. 
• U.S. Embassy Bahrain: Issued a shelter-in-place notification and suspended all routine consular services.

Immediate Travel and Border Restrictions

Q: What is the current status of visa issuance (business/work) in the region? 

Most GCC countries are expected to observe public holidays on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, with closures anticipated from Thursday, March 19 through Monday, March 23. In some countries, the holiday period may be extended until March 25, depending on official announcements and moon sighting confirmations. 

Businesses and government authorities are likely to operate with limited or no services during this period, and stakeholders are advised to plan accordingly. Visa processing across the entire Middle East has been severely disrupted by the active armed conflict now in its 20th day. Organizations should assume the following as a baseline: 

🇦🇪 UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)

Authorities in the UAE have issued an advisory to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) regarding a rise in scams linked to travel assistance programmes. The Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Dubai and the Northern Emirates has warned of fraudulent individuals and groups falsely offering assistance in exchange for fees or personal information. Individuals are strongly advised to rely only on official channels and exercise caution. 

Iranian missiles and drones have struck civilian targets across the UAE, including airports and hotels. The UAE has suffered the heaviest Iranian retaliatory strikes of any GCC nation, with over 150 missiles and 500 drones reported in the first 48 hours. The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and all immigration service centers are operating on emergency-only protocols. Routine visa processing, including new work permits, visa renewals, and status changes, is suspended. The U.S. Embassy has ordered departure of all non-emergency personnel and family members as of March 2. 

The UAE has updated its National Early Warning System alert sounds, according to the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.

• 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM: A high-tone siren will indicate the start of an alert, while the standard tone will signal the end of the alert.
• 10:30 PM – 9:00 AM: The standard tone will be used for both the start and the end of alerts.

The standard tone will therefore be used during night hours for both alert notifications and their conclusion.

The system has recently been activated to notify the public about defence operations across the country following regional security developments linked to Iranian actions amid the ongoing Middle East tensions.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the cancellation of Class XII board examinations for students in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. As a result, all CBSE Class XII examinations scheduled between March 16 and April 10, 2026 have been cancelled, including those that had previously been postponed.

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed the gradual resumption of flights to and from Dubai International Airport after a temporary suspension implemented earlier on Monday as a precautionary measure. Operations are being restored to selected destinations, and passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines for updated schedules and potential delays.

Meanwhile, Emirates has suspended flights between Dubai and Antananarivo until further notice due to ongoing unrest in Madagascar. The airline continues to monitor the situation and will review operations once conditions stabilize.

Flights operated by Oman Air to several regional destinations including Dubai will remain suspended until 31 March, as ongoing regional airspace closures continue to disrupt aviation operations across parts of the Middle East.

What This Means for Travellers and Employers

• Flight schedules across the region may remain subject to short-notice changes or cancellations.
• Travellers should monitor airline notifications and airport advisories before departure.
• Employers managing international assignments or business travel in the region should plan for possible travel disruptions and contingency arrangements.

The UAE successfully intercepted multiple Iranian missiles and drones on Monday, while authorities responded swiftly to several related incidents across the country. Flights at Dubai International Airport are gradually resuming following a precautionary suspension, emergency teams contained a fire in Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, and officials addressed a missile strike incident in Abu Dhabi.

CRITICAL UPDATE — DXB Fuel Tank Drone Strike (16 March): A drone strike at approximately 04:00 local time on March 16 hit a fuel storage tank near Dubai International Airport, causing a fire. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority suspended all DXB flights at 06:30 as a precautionary measure. Emirates resumed a limited schedule from 10:00 with some cancellations. Late on March 16, the UAE GCAA announced the temporary FULL CLOSURE of UAE airspace as an “exceptional precautionary measure” amid “rapidly evolving regional security developments.” UAE air defenses have dealt with 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,627 drones since the war began. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi after a missile struck a vehicle in Al Bahyah. Foreign carriers are banned from flying to the UAE. Etihad rebooking policy extended: tickets issued before February 28 with travel to March 31 may be rebooked free of charge onto flights until May 15. Online check-in unavailable until March 21. 

The overnight UAE airspace closure lasted approximately 2 hours; GCAA confirmed reopened by 5:05am March 17. DXB has resumed a reduced schedule but the fuel tank fire is still impacting long-haul refuelling — some flights tech-stopping at DWC for fuel. Emirates is operating a reduced schedule with no-fee change/refund waiver for tickets Feb 28–Mar 31 (up to 9 rebookings or full refund). 

UAE authorities have announced that distance learning will continue across nurseries, schools, and higher education institutions for two weeks following the end of the spring break on March 22. Previously, authorities had brought forward the spring break to begin on March 9, after transitioning the education sector to remote learning from March 2 in response to the Iranian aggression. This arrangement provides flexibility, and many parents and children are planning to attend remote classes from outside the UAE. However, UAE residence permit holders should remain mindful of their permit expiry dates and the 180-day rule on staying outside the UAE, to avoid any inconvenience. 

All the private and public sector will be closed on occasion of the Eid Al Fitr being a national holiday from Thursday, 19 March 2026 to Sunday, 22 March 2026. Normal business operations will resume on Monday, 23 March 2026.  

On March 18, the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has maintained the Base Rate at 3.65%, in line with the US Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates steady. This move reflects a continued focus on monetary stability and reinforces confidence in the UAE’s financial system. Additionally, the rate for borrowing short-term liquidity remains at 50 basis points above the Base Rate, ensuring consistent access to funding for financial institutions. 

For businesses in the UAE, this translates into stable borrowing costs and a predictable operating environment. Companies can continue planning investments and managing cash flows without the pressure of rising interest rates, while sectors such as real estate and SMEs benefit from steady financing conditions. Overall, the decision supports business continuity and sustained economic confidence amid global uncertainties. 

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

Iran escalated strikes against Saudi Arabia on March 2, targeting major oil infrastructure. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh was struck by Iranian drones. A shelter-in-place order was issued for Dhahran; the Jeddah shelter order has since been lifted. Jawazat offices and immigration processing are severely disrupted. U.S. personnel have been instructed not to travel to Bahrain from Saudi Arabia. 

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the key deadlines for the current Umrah season, outlining the final dates for visa issuance, entry into the Kingdom, and departure of pilgrims.

According to the ministry:

• Last date to issue Umrah visas: 1 Shawwal 1447 AH (approximately 20 March 2026)
• Final date for pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia: 15 Shawwal 1447 AH (approximately 3 April 2026)
• Deadline for pilgrims to depart the Kingdom: 1 Dhul Qadah 1447 AH (approximately 18 April 2026)

Pilgrims and travel operators are advised to ensure that travel plans comply with these deadlines to avoid overstaying or visa-related penalties.

4 ballistic missiles intercepted over Riyadh overnight Mar 18. All three major airports (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam) remain OPEN but subject to delays.

US Embassy Riyadh (sa.usembassy.gov, Mar 18): Eid al-Fitr closure Mar 19–24;

Shelter-in-place directive for all Americans; routine consular services SUSPENDED; non-emergency inquiries resume Mar 25.

24/7 Task Force: +1-202-501-4444.

Eid al-Fitr officially confirmed for March 20 by Saudi moon-sighting committee.  

🇶🇦 Qatar

Iranian strikes have hit Doha. Hamad International Airport (DOH) has been directly affected. Qatar shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers in or near Qatari airspace, indicating active air combat. The US has upgraded Qatar to Level 3: Reconsider Travel and ordered departure of non-emergency government staff. Immigration processing is suspended or severely limited. 

🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇴🇲 Oman

All three nations have been struck by Iranian missiles or drones, despite none launching attacks on Iran. Even Oman, which maintained its historical “friend to all” mediator posture, has been targeted. On March 13, two people died after security forces intercepted a drone near an industrial area in northern Oman, according to Omani state media. Airspace in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain has been closed. All standard visa and immigration operations should be presumed non-functional until further notice. 

Oman citizens will no longer require a visa to enter Azerbaijan, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. The measure came into effect on 15 February 2026 and will remain valid for one year, until 15 February 2027. Under this arrangement, Omani nationals can enter and stay in Azerbaijan for up to 30 days without obtaining a visa in advance. The visa-free entry may be used up to three times within the one-year period.

In response to related incidents, Civil Defence teams in Bahrain have extinguished a fire at a company warehouse, deploying significant resources, with further procedures ongoing at the site. 

In Kuwait, the Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery has reportedly come under repeated drone attacks, resulting in fires across several units. Firefighting operations are ongoing, and no immediate injuries have been reported. 

🇮🇷 Iran

Under active U.S.-Israeli military bombardment since February 28. All consular services worldwide are suspended. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was formally named successor on March 8. U.S. and Israeli forces have struck over 7,600 targets in Iran in approximately 5,000 sorties. Internal security conditions are deteriorating with protests and regime consolidation under IRGC pressure. No immigration services are functioning.  The UN refugee agency estimates 3.2 million Iranians have been displaced.

🇮🇱 Israel

Under continuous Iranian missile and drone barrages. Hezbollah has opened a second front from Lebanon. The Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) has suspended all non-essential processing. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has directed all U.S. government staff and families to shelter in place and has stated it is not in a position to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel. 

🇱🇧 Lebanon

Israel has launched a wave of strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon following Hezbollah rocket attacks into Israel, killing over 912 people. All immigration and visa services should be presumed non-functional. 

⚠️ ACTION REQUIRED – Do NOT submit new visa applications to any jurisdiction in the region. Premature filings will result in lost fees and potential complications. Work with local immigration service providers to hold all pending submissions until the security situation stabilizes and government operations are confirmed to have resumed. 

Q: Are airports in the region functional? 

Airport operations across the region have been severly impacted. More than 20,000 flights in the Middle East have been cancelled since the escalation began, though recovery is now underway at several airports. Guidance remains: Passengers must not travel to the airport unless they have received a confirmed departure time directly from their airline. The situation as of March 19, 2026: 

🇦🇪 Dubai International Airport (DXB) & Al Maktoum (DWC)

UAE airspace open and stabilising as at MArch 18 — GCAA confirmed normal operations restored. DXB operating with delays; Al Maktoum (DWC) serving as primary Dubai hub. Emirates operating to 110+ destinations; rebooking extended to tickets Feb 28–Apr 15 (travel through May 31). flydubai and Air Arabia also operating limited schedules.

DXB has partially resumed operations as of March 5, handling only select flights with a focus on clearing backlogs of stranded travelers and maintaining cargo flows. Emirates is operating a reduced schedule with a no-fee change/refund waiver (up to 9 rebookings). Etihad has published a limited schedule through March 19; rebooking extended free of charge to May 15 for tickets issued before February 28 with travel dates up to March 31; rebooking extended free of charge to May 15 for tickets issued before February 28 with travel dates up to March 31. Etihad online check-in unavailable until March 21. flydubai has operated a handful of flights to Russia, Somalia, and Pakistan. Passengers must NOT travel to the airport unless directly contacted by the airline with a confirmed departure time 

🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Zayed International (AUH)

Etihad Airways announced on Friday that it is operating a limited schedule of commercial flights between Abu Dhabi and select destinations. Passengers with confirmed bookings will be accommodated at the earliest opportunity, while new bookings can be made through the airline’s official website. 

Resumed limited operations with some repositioning, cargo, and repatriation flights operating with UAE authority approval. Passengers with tickets issued on or before February 28 may rebook free of charge on Etihad-operated flights. Abu Dhabi Airports and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport have also resumed limited flight operations. One fatality and injuries occurred at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport from related incidents. 

UAE airlines have resumed limited flights as of March 10 amid ongoing regional restrictions. Etihad Airways, Emirates, Air Arabia, and flydubai are operating selected routes to major destinations, prioritising safety and operational checks.

Passengers are advised to check flight status and confirm bookings before heading to airports, as schedules may change and some services remain restricted. As of March 12:

🇮🇱 Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv (TLV)

Partially reopened. Inbound repatriation flights began March 5 under a phased plan. First outbound flights departed March 8 with strict limits: two narrow-body aircraft per hour, 70–100 passengers per flight. Israeli airlines are operating to 30+ European, US, and Asian destinations.  El Al has evacuated its aircraft to Athens, Bucharest, Budapest, Paris, and Rome and has suspended new ticket sales through March 21. Approximately 100,000+ Israeli travelers are stranded abroad. Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir are operating shuttle flights from Athens, Larnaca, and Rome to Taba Airport (Egypt) for those willing to cross overland. 

The U.S. Embassy advises using the Taba land crossing and then travelling to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport for onward commercial connections. 

The Israel Airports Authority issued a notice on March 12 stating all flights are cancelled until further notice, though El Al, Arkia, and Israir continue operating limited services under strict restrictions.

🇶🇦 Hamad International, Doha (DOH)

Qatar Airways revised limited schedule Mar 18–28 to 80+ destinations via safe corridor. Qatar has auto-extended all visas by one month. 

🇱🇧 Beirut Rafic Hariri International (BEY)

Beirut-Rafic Hariri airport remains technically open, but with massive cancellations. Over 70 flights cancelled in a single day. Israeli airstrikes are hitting southern suburbs near the airport. This is a new risk vector not in the original advisory. 

Widespread regional cancellations

Flights have been cancelled across seven major Middle East airports (DXB, DOH, AUH, SHJ, KWI, BAH, DWC). Hundreds of thousands of travelers remain stranded globally. 

Airline-specific guidance

• Air France to Dubai and Riyadh suspended to March 20; Tel Aviv and Beirut to March 21.
• Lufthansa Group: Riyadh suspended to Apr 5; Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Amman/Erbil/Beirut to Mar 28; Tel Aviv to Apr 9; Tehran to Apr 30.  
• Turkish Airlines: regional cancellations to March 19; Iran to March 20.
• KLM Dammam/Riyadh/Dubai cancelled to Mar 28; Tel Aviv to Apr 11.  
• Air Canada has pulled Toronto–Dubai until May 1 and Tel Aviv indefinitely.
• Wizz Air suspended all Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman flights through March 15 — check for extension.
• Singapore Airlines Dubai suspended through March 15 — check for extension.
• BA confirmed (Mar 17) Amman/Bahrain/Dubai/Tel Aviv suspended to May 31; Doha to Apr 30; Abu Dhabi to Oct 25. BA Riyadh + Jeddah CONTINUE operating.  
• Virgin Atlantic: Dubai suspended for remainder of winter season; Riyadh paused.  
• Air India and Air India Express operated 50 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to West Asia on March 12, with ongoing services to Jeddah and Muscat.
• IndiGo is operating to eight regional destinations.
• Oman Air extended cancellations to March 31 for nine destinations (Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, Khasab), further cementing Muscat as the primary regional transit hub.
• Etihad has significantly ramped up operations from Abu Dhabi, more than doubling capacity from March 13-15 but still at less than one-third of pre-war levels, with free rebooking for tickets issued before February 28. 
• Delta: Cancelled Tel Aviv to April 30
• American Airlines: cancelled all Middle East routes to May 31.
• Aegean: Dubai/Riyadh to April 18–19; Tel Aviv/Beirut/Amman to April 22–23.

• Qatar Airways revised limited schedule Mar 18–28 (~70+ destinations from Doha).  
• SalamAir additional Cairo flights Mar 16–27; Muscat-Fujairah 2x daily to Mar 31; selling tickets at 4 UAE-Oman border crossings. SalamAir Kuwait/Sharjah/Doha/Dammam suspended to Mar 31; Iraq/Lebanon/Iran to Apr 30.

• Akasa Air resumed select Jeddah flights. EASA CZIB 2026-03-R4 extended to 27 March with revised Saudi/Oman airspace recommendations.  

Operational alternatives

From Oman: Muscat (MCT) has handled some diverted flights. Oman Air’s confirmed cancellation window for nine routes (Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Amman, Baghdad, Copenhagen, Khasab) through March 15 has been extended through March 15. Free date changes are available to March 29; rerouting to any Oman Air destination by March 29; full refunds for bookings with original travel before March 8. Muscat International Airport recorded 93 flight disruptions on March 15 (83 delays, 10 cancellations), indicating continuing operational strain. SalamAir has suspended Kuwait, Sharjah, Doha, and Dammam flights through March 31, and Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran flights through April 30; Fujairah, Duqm, and additional Cairo services are operating as alternatives.

From Jordan: Amman (AMM) remains intermittently operational.

From Israel: The Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem has started offering bus service to Taba for U.S. citizens needing assisted departure. The Taba crossing remains open 24 hours. The Wadi Araba (Jordan) crossing status should be re-verified — Israeli ground operations in Lebanon may affect northern routes. Travelers can journey from Taba approximately three to four hours by road to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, which offers commercial connections to international destinations. 

From Egypt: Cairo (CAI) remains functional, but Egypt is included in the US “DEPART NOW” advisory.

From Cyprus: Larnaca (LCA) in Cyprus is functioning as a key evacuation hub for the Eastern Mediterranean.

From Lebanon: BEY is still operational but highly unpredictable, with Israeli strikes near the airport. The U.S. Embassy advises departing Lebanon now while flights exist. The land route to Syria may be compromised by Israeli operations. Land route to Turkey via Syria is uncertain. 

From Saudi Arabia: Air India and Air India Express are operating 50 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to/from West Asia on March 18, with ongoing services to Muscat and Jeddah, Kuwait Airways is operating limited repatriation flights via Dammam, with the final Europe flight (Paris-Dammam) operating March 13. Gulf Air operations remain suspended.

⚠️ CRITICAL TRAVEL WARNING – The US State Department has urged all American citizens to “DEPART NOW” from 16 countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen. The UK has also issued urgent advisories. Air Canada has pulled Toronto–Dubai until May 1 and Tel Aviv indefinitely. KLM has cancelled all Dubai flights through March 28. Most major international carriers have suspended or severely reduced Gulf and Middle East services. 

Q: What should travelers do if they are currently stranded? 

This is the most critical question for organizations with personnel in the region. With active missile and drone exchanges hitting civilian areas across all GCC nations, immediate action is required: 

• Comply with shelter-in-place orders. Where local authorities or embassies have issued shelter-in-place directives (e.g., Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; all of Israel), employees must comply. Do NOT attempt independent travel while shelter orders are active. 

• Register with home country embassies immediately. Enroll in the US STEP program, UK FCDO registration, or equivalent. The US Embassy in Amman, Jordan has already temporarily evacuated its own staff, indicating the severity of the threat. Embassy services across the region are degraded. 

• Activate corporate crisis protocols at the highest level. This is not a “monitor and wait” scenario. Notify Global Security, HR, Legal, and Executive Leadership. Conduct an immediate headcount of all personnel in the 15 countries named in the U.S. departure advisory. 

• Secure digital copies of all travel documents now. Explosions and infrastructure damage are reported across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel. The risk of physical document loss is real and present. Upload passport bio pages, visas, work permits, Emirates IDs/Iqamas, and emergency contacts to an encrypted cloud repository accessible from any device. 

• Do NOT attempt ad hoc border crossings or airport runs. Only proceed to airports if directly contacted by an airline with a confirmed departure. Border areas are high-risk. The U.S. Embassy has explicitly stated it cannot guarantee safety for those attempting overland evacuations. 

• Contact immigration counsel for status protection. Forced overstays will be a mass issue across the region. Document everything — screenshots of cancelled flights, closed portals, suspended embassy services — as evidence of force majeure for future immigration filings. 

⚠️ INSURANCE WARNING – Many standard travel insurance policies exclude coverage for losses arising from military action, war, and government-mandated airspace closures. With oil prices now above $105/barrel and the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, business continuity insurance triggers should also be reviewed. Organizations should immediately review their corporate travel insurance and duty-of-care coverage to understand what is and is not covered for stranded employees. 

Corporate Mobility and Duty of Care

Q: Where can employees be safely “parked” or temporarily relocated if they need to leave a high-risk location? 

The traditional GCC “safe harbor” playbook has been fundamentally upended. Iranian strikes have hit all six GCC nations, meaning no Gulf state can be considered a reliably safe temporary destination. Organizations must look further afield:

Within the Region (Elevated Risk – Short-term Transit Only)

🇴🇲 Oman (Muscat)

Despite being struck by Iran, Muscat has functioned as a key flight diversion point. MCT airport has handled diverted Etihad flights. Visa-on-arrival available for many nationalities (up to 14 days). Use as a transit point for onward evacuation only, not as a parking destination.

🇯🇴 Jordan (Amman)

AMM is intermittently operational. The Israeli Ministry of Tourism is operating shuttle-to-Taba routes with onward bus connections, making Jordan a viable exit for Israel-based employees. However, the US Embassy in Amman has already temporarily evacuated its own staff. Visa-on-arrival for most Western passports. Use for short-term transit.

🇪🇬 Egypt (Cairo/Taba)

The Taba border crossing is operating 24 hours for Israel exit. Cairo airport remains functional. However, Egypt is included in the US “DEPART NOW” advisory. Use as a transit corridor, not a final destination.

Outside the Region (Recommended for Parking)

🇨🇾 Cyprus (Larnaca/Paphos)

Functioning as a key Eastern Mediterranean evacuation hub. Visa-free for EU nationals; Schengen-adjacent visa options for others.

A British air base in Cyprus has been used for U.S. strikes on Iranian missile sites. In retaliation, an Iranian drone struck a runway at a UK military base in Cyprus, and UK bases in Cyprus have been attacked. Cyprus remains generally viable for civilian evacuation but should be considered an elevated risk for UK nationals and those near military installations.

🇮🇳 India (Mumbai/Delhi)

Multiple evacuation flights from AUH and DXB have already landed in Mumbai and Chennai. Large established expat infrastructure. eVisa available for most nationalities. Strong recommendation for UAE-based South Asian workforce parking.

🇹🇷 Turkey (Istanbul)

Outside the conflict zone, functioning airports, eVisa options for many nationalities, and remote-work-friendly infrastructure. Suitable for medium-term parking. The Turkish land border crossings with Iran are open for entry by third-country nationals (per U.S. State Department, March 12). However, the U.S. Consulate in Adana has suspended all services and Americans in southeast Turkey are urged to depart.

🇬🇷 Greece (Athens)

El Al has repositioned aircraft to Athens. Arkia is running shuttle flights Athens–Taba. Established evacuation corridor for Eastern Mediterranean.

🇬🇪 Georgia (Tbilisi)

Visa-free for many nationalities, low cost of living, established digital nomad infrastructure. Suitable for longer-term parking.

⚠️ CRITICAL PE & TAX WARNING – “Parking” employees in a third country for more than a short transit period (generally 15–30 days) may trigger permanent establishment risk, individual tax obligations, and local employment law requirements. In many jurisdictions, tax residency can be triggered in as few as 30 days or even upon the first day of work. Engage cross-border tax and legal counsel immediately before establishing any temporary work arrangements. Maintain employees on their home or origin country payroll to minimize destination-country obligations.

Q: Are land borders in the region safe and open for exit? 

Land border status is extremely fluid during active combat operations.  

🇮🇱 Israel–Egypt 🇪🇬 (Taba Crossing)

OPEN and operating 24 hours. This is currently the primary exit route from Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Tourism is running shuttle buses from meeting points across Israel (including Herzliya, Tel Aviv, Beersheba) to Taba. Egged buses are waiting on the Israeli side to transport arriving passengers. A visa fee applies for some nationalities entering Egypt. The US Embassy has stated it cannot make any recommendation for or against this route and cannot guarantee safety. 

🇮🇱 Israel–Jordan 🇯🇴 (Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi Araba Crossing)

Reported open for passenger entry and exit until 20:00, vehicle crossing until 19:00. Passengers may take the Ministry of Tourism shuttle to Eilat and continue independently by taxi to this crossing. The Allenby/King Hussein Bridge status is less clear. 

🇦🇪 UAE–Oman 🇴🇲

For employees who may need to remain in Oman for more than 24 hours, they will be required to secure an online Oman entry visa in advance (unless they qualify for visa-free entry based on nationality or residency status). 

With respect to passport holders who are not eligible for visa on arrival in particular, an entry visa is typically required. These applications are submitted online through the Omani eVisa system. Note- Based on experience, applicants holding Managerial-level or senior titles generally have a higher likelihood of approval compared to junior or non-managerial designations.  

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia–UAE 🇦🇪

Expect enhanced security given strikes on both nations. Non-Saudi/non-UAE nationals will face additional scrutiny. 

🇮🇷 Iran land borders

All closed to civilian traffic. Iran is under active military bombardment. 

Maritime evacuation

Private yachts and boats are being used for Israel–Cyprus evacuations, as occurred during the June 2025 twelve-day war. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed to all commercial shipping after IRGC threats and attacks on at least 16 vessels since the war began (multiple crew members killed). Maritime evacuation from the Gulf is not viable. Gulf nations are assessing food and water supply resilience as the Hormuz blockade continues. Qatar’s Interior Minister stated the country has strategic water reserves for several months and food stocks for up to 18 months. 

Recommendation: Land evacuations during active multi-front combat carry genuine life-safety risk. Any overland movement should only be attempted under coordination with professional security/evacuation firms, with pre-confirmed border authorization and real-time security intelligence. Organizations should engage dedicated crisis evacuation providers (e.g., International SOS, Global Guardian, Crisis24) immediately if they have not already done so. 

Q: What are the risks of putting employees on destination payrolls to maintain employment continuity during an evacuation?

The scale of this evacuation — with hundreds of thousands stranded and entire corporate operations being relocated on an emergency basis — makes payroll continuity decisions unusually high-stakes: 

• Unauthorized employment: Placing an employee on a local payroll in a country where they do not hold a valid work permit constitutes unauthorized employment in virtually every jurisdiction. This exposes both the employer and employee to fines, deportation orders, and future visa ineligibility — consequences that will crystallize once the crisis subsides and enforcement resumes. 

• Social security activation: Local payroll enrollment in many jurisdictions automatically triggers mandatory social security contributions and employment benefit obligations under destination labor law. These obligations may survive the crisis period. 

Recommended approach: Maintain all employees on their home or origin country payroll. Use documented crisis leave, force majeure remote work policies, or salary continuation from the existing entity to preserve employment continuity. Any arrangement in a destination country should be framed and documented as temporary, crisis-driven, and explicitly not constituting local employment. 

Q: Do temporary work-from-home arrangements in neighboring countries require new work permits? 

Legally, yes in most cases. Practically, enforcement during active conflict may be de-prioritized, but organizations must plan for the post-crisis compliance reckoning: 

• General rule remains: Performing work within a country’s borders—even remotely for a foreign employer—subjects the individual to that country’s immigration and employment laws. Working on a tourist visa or visa-on-arrival is technically a violation in most jurisdictions. 

• Crisis discretion is not guaranteed: While some jurisdictions may exercise enforcement discretion during a declared emergency, this is not a compliance strategy. It is a hope. Do not rely on it. 

• Digital nomad and remote work visas: Where available (UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Turkey, Georgia, others), these may offer a fast-track option, but application timelines of 2–4 weeks are unrealistic during the current crisis. 

• Risk mitigation protocol: If employees must work from a third country: (a) limit duration to the minimum necessary, (b) document the arrangement as temporary and crisis-driven with clear start/end dates, (c) file for proper work authorization as soon as practicable, (d) engage local immigration counsel in the destination country immediately, and (e) maintain the employee on their origin-country payroll. Newland Chase Consulting can conduct a jurisdictional assessment to determine a remote work mitigation plan.  Major firms are now evacuating regional offices: Citi evacuated its Dubai finance-centre office, while PwC closed offices in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait.

⚠️ TAX & SOCIAL SECURITY ALERT – Even short-term remote work from a third country can trigger individual income tax obligations. In many jurisdictions, tax residency can be established in as few as 30 days. Social security totalization agreements may not cover crisis-driven relocations. Engage cross-border tax advisors immediately and in parallel with immigration counsel. The cost of proactive tax advice is a fraction of the potential exposure. 

Q: How do we handle potential document loss (passports/visas) during an emergency evacuation? 

With missiles and drones striking civilian areas across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel, the risk of physical document destruction is materially higher than in prior regional disruptions: 

• Immediate action for all organizations with regional operations: If you have not already done so, instruct ALL employees in the affected region to photograph or scan their passport bio page, visa pages, work permit, Emirates ID/Iqama, and any other immigration documents TODAY. Upload to an encrypted cloud repository (not local device storage, which is also at risk). 

• If documents are already lost: Report the loss to local police (where safe to do so) and obtain a police report. Contact the employee’s home country embassy or consulate to request an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) or Emergency Passport. Note: embassy services across the region are degraded — the US Embassy in Jerusalem has stated it cannot assist with evacuations; the US Embassy in Amman temporarily evacuated its own staff. 

• ETD limitations: Emergency Travel Documents are generally accepted for exit from the country of issuance but may NOT be accepted for entry into third countries. Confirm acceptance with destination immigration authorities before attempting travel. Israeli airlines are flying passengers to Taba (Egypt) where ETDs may be sufficient for the border crossing, but onward international travel may require a full replacement passport. 

• Visa and permit replacement: Lost work permits, residency visas, and Emirates IDs/Iqamas will need to be reissued by the sponsoring country’s immigration authority once operations normalize. The employer/sponsor is responsible for initiating this process in most GCC jurisdictions. Pre-crisis digital copies will dramatically accelerate replacement processing. 

Recommendation: Treat document preservation as an active crisis management task, not an administrative afterthought. Assign a specific team member to verify that digital backups exist for every employee in the region within the next 24 hours. 

Q: What are the risks of using “border runs” to renew visas at this time? 

⚠️ ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION – Under no circumstances should any employee attempt a border run during this conflict. This guidance is unconditional and non-negotiable. 

The risks are now existential, not merely administrative: 

• Life-safety risk: Active missile and drone exchanges are occurring across the entire region. Iranian strikes have hit civilian infrastructure, airports, and hotels in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Traveling to border areas during active combat operations poses genuine risk of death or serious injury. 

• Border closure without warning: Borders across the region are closing and reopening with little or no notice. An employee mid-border-run could be caught in a closed zone between two countries, with no legal status in either and no way to move in any direction. 

• Re-entry denial: Immigration authorities under wartime security protocols have absolute discretion to deny re-entry. A denied re-entry during a crisis creates a cascading compliance nightmare — potential overstay in the transit country, loss of residency status in the origin country, and no clear path to resolution while government offices are closed. 

• Post-crisis enforcement: Border run patterns are already flagged by GCC immigration systems. Movement during an active conflict will be recorded and may trigger future blacklisting, enhanced screening, or travel bans when normal operations resume. 

Q: How do we ensure compliance with immigration authorities that may have limited staff or closures? 

UAE routine visa and citizen services have resumed, however there will be anticipated delays  — this affects pending applications, renewals, and status changes. Israel routine consular services remain suspended — no visa processing, no passport services. Force majeure documentation is now even more critical given the conflict has extended well beyond the initial 48-72 hour expectations. 

The compliance landscape during a multi-front armed conflict requires a fundamentally different approach than routine crisis management:

• Accept that perfect compliance may be impossible — and document why. The legal doctrine of force majeure (impossibility of performance due to extraordinary circumstances) will be central to post-crisis compliance defense. Your documentation today IS your compliance strategy tomorrow. Build the evidence file now. 

• Attempt all filings, even when futile. Log into every government portal. Attempt every submission. Screenshot every error message, “system offline” notification, and timeout. Email immigration authorities even if no response is expected. This demonstrates intent to comply. 

• Monitor official emergency channels in real time. Government decrees, amnesty announcements, and procedural changes may be published on ministry social media accounts, government gazette websites, or through WAM (UAE), SPA (Saudi), or QNA (Qatar) state news agencies before they appear on official portals. 

• Engage in-country legal counsel as your primary conduit. Local representatives who maintain relationships with government officials are invaluable during crisis — they can access emergency processing channels and provide real-time intelligence on which offices are operational. 

• Build a centralized crisis compliance dashboard. Create an internal tracker covering every employee in the affected region with: name, nationality, location, immigration status, visa expiry date, pending applications, document backup status, evacuation priority, and compliance risk level. Update minimum twice daily during active operations. 

Q: Are there specific nationalities currently facing additional scrutiny? 

The geopolitical dynamics of this conflict mean that nationality-based risk is elevated and unpredictable. Organizations should assume enhanced scrutiny for the following groups and plan accordingly: 

🇮🇷 Iranian nationals

Face the highest risk of any nationality group. With Iran under active military bombardment and Iranian forces striking all GCC nations, Iranian passport holders may face enhanced screening, detention for questioning, travel restrictions, or outright refusal of entry across the Gulf and in Western nations. Dual nationals should exercise extreme caution and travel on the passport providing the most favorable entry conditions. Consular protection from Iranian missions is unavailable. 

The Lebanese government has moved to deport IRGC members from Lebanon, which may create additional risks for Iranian nationals in Lebanon who could be swept up in broader enforcement. 

🇮🇱 Israeli passport holders

Already face entry restrictions in most Middle Eastern countries. With Israel conducting active military operations alongside the US, enforcement of these restrictions will intensify. The approximately 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad should avoid transit through any country that does not recognize Israeli passports. Dual nationals should travel on their alternative passport. 

The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem has issued a shelter-in-place notification for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. Ground invasion of Lebanon may complicate status of dual Israeli-Lebanese nationals. 

🇺🇸 US nationals

Given that the US is a direct belligerent in this conflict, American citizens face elevated risk across the region. The US State Department’s “DEPART NOW” advisory for 16 countries is unprecedented in scope. The stated Iranian justification for striking Gulf states is the presence of U.S. military assets — proximity to American facilities or personnel increases risk. US dual nationals should carefully consider which passport to present.

Approximately half a million Americans are currently in the Middle East. The State Department hotline is directing callers to shelter in place, and consulates have told citizens not to rely on the government for evacuation. 

🇬🇧 UK nationals 

An Iranian drone struck a runway at a UK military base in Cyprus. UK nationals should now treat Cyprus with elevated caution. UK bases on Cyprus are not being used by U.S. bombers; the US is using Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford instead. The UK FCDO has issued “avoid all but essential travel” advisories for the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, parts of Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, and “do not travel” for Israel.

Nationals of countries with perceived alignment

Citizens of nations seen as supporting either side may face additional security screening at airports and borders. The UK’s permission for US forces to use its Cyprus base for strikes on Iran may affect British nationals’ risk profile in the region. 

Stateless persons and refugee travel document holders

Face the greatest vulnerability. Fewest consular protections, most limited alternative travel document options, and highest risk of falling through evacuation gaps. Organizations employing such individuals should provide priority evacuation support. 

Immediate action: Conduct an emergency audit of your affected workforce by nationality within the next 24 hours. Identify individuals facing elevated risk due to nationality, dual citizenship, or travel document limitations. Provide these employees with priority evacuation support, document backup assistance, and direct access to immigration counsel.