Policy changes, fee updates, and travel advisories that affect visa applications from Dubai. All information verified from official government sources.
From 20 August 2026, Kyrgyz and Vietnamese citizens can use China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, taking the policy to 57 countries. The list still does not include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines or Egypt, so most UAE residents remain unaffected. OraVisa explains who can actually use it.
ChinaVietnam
20 Aug 20266 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 20 August 2026
From 15 September 2026, China’s new State Council exit and entry regulations let immigration and visa authorities bar a foreign national from entering China for one to five years for providing false materials or false statements in a visa application or at a port of entry. OraVisa explains what this means for UAE residents.
China
9 Aug 20267 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 9 August 2026
On 3 August 2026 the US State Department published a final rule making the Visa Bond Programme permanent, finalising the 12-month pilot that ran from 20 August 2025. Consular officers will require B-1/B-2 applicants who are nationals of covered countries to post a bond as a condition of visa issuance, absent a waiver. OraVisa explains the three bond levels, the shorter visa validity that comes with them, and how UAE residents can check whether their nationality is covered.
United States
7 Aug 20266 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 7 August 2026
On 14 July 2026, Thailand’s Cabinet approved updated visa-exemption and Visa-on-Arrival measures. The changes are NOT yet in force: five Ministry of Interior announcements await publication in the Royal Gazette and take effect 15 days after it. Under the approved framework, 59 countries and territories receive a 30-day visa exemption — including India and the Maldives — replacing the current 60-day exemption. OraVisa explains what changes, what does not, and what it means for UAE residents.
Thailand
26 Jul 20265 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 6 August 2026
On 20 July 2026, President Vladimir Putin signed an Executive Order extending Russia’s visa-free entry regime for Chinese citizens until 31 December 2027. The arrangement had been due to expire on 14 September 2026. Holders of ordinary People’s Republic of China passports can enter Russia without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, for tourism, business, family visits, exchange programmes and transit. The measure is reciprocal — China extended its own visa-free regime for Russian nationals to the same date in May 2026. OraVisa explains who benefits among UAE residents and who still needs a visa.
RussiaChina
21 Jul 20264 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 21 July 2026
Several UAE visa rules genuinely changed in 2026 — most notably Dubai’s 48-hour single-entry tourist visa and the removal of the AED 750,000 minimum property value for the two-year investor residence visa. Others widely reported online did not. OraVisa separates the confirmed changes from the myths for UAE residents and investors.
14 Jul 20266 min readAhmed Al RashidLast verified: 14 July 2026
On 13 July 2026, the Australian Government confirmed a national rollout of the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) — a free digital form replacing the paper Incoming Passenger Card. It is currently available only on eligible Qantas flights, so UAE residents flying Emirates or Etihad still complete the paper card for now. OraVisa explains what changes, and what does not.
Australia
14 Jul 20264 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 14 July 2026
As of 22 July 2026, Indian passport, visa and attestation services in the UAE are provided through Al Hind Tours & Travels, with appointments booked at the official portal consularsevainuae.com. This completed a transition in which — from 2 July 2026 — the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai handled services directly via the interim portal book.passportindiauae.com, which is now closed. OraVisa explains how to book and what to bring.
India
6 Jul 20265 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 26 July 2026
On 30 June 2026, India launched the fully digital e-OCI (Electronic Overseas Citizen of India) Card. The entire OCI process — applying, uploading documents and downloading the approved card — is now online, and no new OCI booklet is needed when a passport is renewed after age 20. OraVisa explains what it means for OCI holders in the UAE.
4 Jul 20264 min readAhmed Al RashidLast verified: 4 July 2026
On 1 July 2026, Australia raised visa application charges by about 25% across the board. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream now costs from AUD 250 when applied for from outside Australia, AUD 630 onshore, and the Frequent Traveller stream AUD 1,845. The old-pricing window — for applications lodged on or before 30 June — has closed. OraVisa explains what UAE residents now pay to visit Australia.
Australia
3 Jul 20264 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 3 July 2026
Since 11 May 2026, a mutual visa exemption between Saudi Arabia and Russia has been in force, covering ordinary passports. A Russian passport holder — including one living in the UAE — can now travel to Saudi Arabia visa-free for tourism, business, or family visits, for up to 90 days within a calendar year. OraVisa explains what changed and where a visa is still required.
Saudi Arabia
3 Jul 20264 min readPriya SharmaLast verified: 3 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, UK Visas and Immigration stopped issuing visa vignette stickers to successful new applicants — every new UK visa, whether visit, work, study or family, is now issued as a digital eVisa only. OraVisa explains what UAE residents applying from Dubai and Abu Dhabi now need to do to view their permission and travel without a passport sticker.
United Kingdom
2 Jul 20266 min readSarah KhanLast verified: 2 July 2026
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