Kenyan Embassy Issues Important Notice to Kenyans Living in UAE

The United Arab Emirates has introduced a temporary 30-day visa grace period for people whose travel plans were affected by recent regional flight cancellations, the Kenyan Embassy in Abu Dhabi has announced.

In an advisory issued to Kenyan nationals, the embassy said the measure will remain in effect until 9 July 2026. It allows affected individuals to renew their visas, adjust their residency status or arrange their departure from the UAE without facing immigration penalties.

The embassy urged Kenyans who qualify for the relief to complete the necessary procedures before the deadline to avoid future immigration complications. The measure follows widespread travel disruptions across the Middle East that left many passengers stranded and unable to meet visa requirements. 

The grace period is intended to help affected travellers regularise their status during the period of disruption. The UAE has previously introduced visa changes that affected Kenyan nationals. 

In 2022, authorities extended tourist visas for Kenyans from one month to six months, a move seen as part of efforts to strengthen trade and business links between the two countries. The latest concession comes as relations between Kenya and the UAE continue to expand. 

In April, President William Ruto met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss cooperation in trade, investment and defence. More recently, Kenyan and Emirati officials held talks on the Kenya Defence Forces Modernisation Programme.

For Kenyans living and travelling in the UAE, the grace period provides temporary relief while reinforcing the need to comply with immigration requirements.